July 3rd was International Plastic Bag Free Day and while it’s the perfect time to break out your new tote bag, it’s important to reflect on plastic pollution and how to do your part to fight against it.
As of 2010, all DC businesses selling food or alcohol are required to charge 5 cents for every carryout paper or plastic disposable bag. The business retains 1 cent (or 2 cents if it offers a rebate when customers bring their own bag), and the remaining 3 or 4 cents goes to the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Fund.
Although we may not be solely responsible for what happens to every piece of plastic, it’s important to do what we can to mitigate the issue and create a new normal outside of strictly using plastic products.
Here at Casey Trees, we understand the impact of plastic and the pollution it causes. You might have noticed we have not been installing watering bags at plantings or care events and have instead been using exceptionally long hoses! We are currently in the process of phasing out our watering bags. to minimize our plastic consumption. We will be systematically removing them as the trees grow and establish. And we will not be ordering more.
However, it is still vital to provide 25 gallons of water to young trees weekly but you don’t need a watering bag to do it. We suggest:
- Water SLOWLY always. Especially when the ground is hard and dry – water will run off if too much is applied too quickly.
- Place a hose a foot or so from the base of the tree and turn it on to a trickle. Let it run for an hour or two (or more), occasionally moving it the hose nozzle to provide water to the entire root zone of the tree. If you have a small sprinkler head you can use that to cover a wider area – but again turn it on low.
- The bucket method is also a great way to run water and get a bit of a workout while doing so! Grab a 5-gallon bucket and slowly tip it out 5 times. Hello arms day!
If you currently have a watering bag on a newly planted tree keep using it! If your tree(s) has been in the ground for ~2 years we recommend recycling it. As for how you can phase out your watering bags – you can drop them off at CT Headquarters 9-4pm Monday – Friday and exchange for one CT Recycled Tote!* Happy International Plastic Bag Free Day indeed!
Questions? Email us at friends@caseytrees.org
*One tote per CT branded watering bag
