For all those who are genuinely and proactively concerned about the ecosystem here on Ambergris Caye should insist their favorite food vendor uses 100% biodegradable fast food containers from Robin McCutcheon of Belize City via EcoSolutions of Guatemala. The costs is similar to the very harmful Styrofoam counterpart.

Walk the walk.

Where do they get them?

Phone numbers, contact information?

GREAT...the local practice of throwing your lunch containers in the sea...because after all it does go away...may still be possible ,with less harm...

I might also suggest, that if you do not bring your own recycled bags, (ie; reusing what they use or your own), to your local vendor and or store, that you suggest to them, you would like an alternative. I hate plastic bags, almost as much as these styro containers!

Somebody on the board talked about bringing their own "to go" containers.

I took the advice and bought 2 from the dollar store. They have separate compartments and lids. Microwavable, too.

Wish I was able to bring down more, but space was limited.

Neecee - I hate plastic as much as you. I told Richie's Supermarket to start charging for the bags (like in Europe) to help slow down the plastic usage. She said they used to, but everybody complained so much that they stopped.

Maybe if the grocery stores would offer cloth/reusable bags (at a small price, of course) then people would be more encouraged???

what a great "cottage industry" to start...perhaps someone with a sewing machine could start up a "bag" business there. They don't cost much to make, and I think most ppl would gladly pay for the effort of making them. I have made several to use here in the US, keep them in my car, and take them with me when I shop....they have long handles on them so I can sling a couple on my shoulders and an insulated one for the cold stuff...and they don't take any time to make. Plus, you can make them using almost any type of fabric....canvas works best, I think, but can make them pretty.

..and I could carry around a few Belikin and and beach towel in one of them insulated ones..can't do that with a wood carving

I have two but never have them when I go shopping...my cart has no lockable space to keep stuff...a problem for every cart owner.

There's another cottage industry...adding lockable space to golf carts.

I wonder if those big plastic bins could be improvised to work as a locking "trunk" on a cart? Maybe they could be placed either on the back seat or back step and with a bicycle type lock, locked to the frame? I have seen them that look sort of like an old footlocker, a lot smaller, of course, and hinged with a flip down lasp over a "u" bolt. If that could be bolted to the frame, then a small lock through the lasp, that might work, and it's waterproof, light weight, and affordable.
Might be a good start to correcting a difficult problem.

Green House sells cloth bags

We got the woven plastic 'bolsa' bags from Mexico, think s we do reuse plastic bags for garbage bags. I try not to collect the small ones though as they are not much use for anything.

If you are at all able to crochet, you can easily make tote bags out of plastic bags of any size. I've made quite a few of these... http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/09/15/large-plastic-market-bag/ ...and they last literally forever. I have some that are over 5 years old and still going strong.

I've also made mats for my trailer using simple double crochet. Truly the definition of trailer trash

Hon, that is just too cute. I can't crochet...my mom and Grandmom both tried to teach me, and I just didn't get it. I will forward that sight to my mom, and see if she would be willing to make some...
Thanks...

Here's some contact information for a local sales rep who's visited us:

Eduardo Martinez
Eco Friendly Solutions
Mile 4, Western Highway
Tel 222-5082/5083; Fax 222-5084
eduardobze@yahoo.com

Stocking: garbage bags, plates, cutlery, cups, clam shells for burgers and soon for other take-out, or so I'm informed, as well as other "green" products.