Many of you have probably already heard about the film Bag It ^[1] that came out last year. But if you think it’s only about plastic bags, think again. There’s a reason the filmmakers ended up on my doorstep in 2009 to learn about how to live without plastic.

Bag It is the story of an ordinary guy named Jeb Berrier who one day has an awakening sparked by a plastic bag.

Learning about the problems with plastic bags leads him on a journey to find out more about plastic pollution and the harm from disposable plastic.

He exposes the myths of recycling, telling the truth about why it’s not the answer to our plastic pollution problem.

He calls out the plastics industry and American Chemistry Council and explains the techniques they used dupe the public. And he even experiments with his own body to see the impacts of chemicals from plastics like BPA.

Trying to figure out if it’s possible to live without disposable plastic, he paid a visit to Chez Terry-Stoler in Oakland. I showed him my plastic waste collection:

And at one point, standing in my bathroom, accused him of being a product of marketing.

What I LOVE about this film, as compared to films like Addicted to Plastic ^[2], which I reviewed in 2009, is its emphasis on consumer empowerment and cutting consumption. The film sums itself up with the following take-aways:

1) Reduce single-use
2) Don’t drink bottled water
3) Choose less packaging
4) Buy it used
5) Bring your own
6) Buy less stuff
7) Reduce, Reuse, then Recycle
8) Clean it up
9) Avoid #3, #6, #7PC
10) Simplify your life

Check the Bag It screenings page ^[3] to find out about community screenings or times when it will be broadcast on television.

If you can’t make it to one of the upcoming screenings, consider purchasing a DVD ^[1] and even organize a screening ^[4] yourself.

You can save Bag It to your Netflix queue ^[5], but when it will be available is still unknown.

If you’ve already seen Bag It, please leave a comment letting others know what you liked, didn’t like, or learned from the film.