S-R recycles bags

I am writing in response to Jennifer Schneider’s letter that appeared in the S-R February 27th (“Recycling S-R bags”).

A while ago, I too found I had collected quite a stack of plastic bags from our daily newspaper delivery. I noted that there is a customer service number printed on the bags, and called to see if The Spokesman-Review takes the bags back. The customer service representative informed me that bags can indeed be returned to the paper deliverer, if they are intact (no holes or tears) and free of debris. After she determined who our paper deliverer was, she submitted a note to them that we would have bags to return. Since we don’t often see our paper deliverer, I left them in a stack on our porch with a weight on them. Like Jennifer Schneider, I also look for ways to reduce the amount of plastics I throw away, and as she points out, Earth Day (April 22) is a timely reminder.

No disrespect to the S-R intended, but I hear their bags are also great for picking up dog waste. Maybe thanks are in order! Also, regarding the recycling of other plastic bags, grocery chains such as Rosauers often provide bins for returning their bags. Thrift stores accept donations of bags that are still good enough condition to be used again, as does Art Salvage. Of course, it goes without saying that bags should be free of tears and organized (flattened) donated.

Patty Southwell

Spokane