Kindness and happiness are linked hand in hand
Vol. 4, Issue 25
"It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside." —Maud Hart Lovelace
THE GOOD NEWS
A policy solution that works
Plastic bag litter is terrible for the environment. The bags are made from petroleum products. They take many years to break down and when they do, they leave behind microplastics. Plastic bags are also dangerous to wildlife. Animals will consume the bags, which obstructs their gastrointestinal tracts and prevents them from eating. The bags can entangle creatures and poison the food chain.
Over 3 million tons of plastic bags ended up in landfills in 2018. Another 1 million tons of bags polluted oceans, rivers and streams that year. Once in the water, these bags can accumulate into massive piles — like the North Atlantic Garbage Patch or the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — and endanger marine life.
To deal with this problem, at least 77 countries have passed some sort of ban on plastic bags. As of January 1, 2024, 12 U.S. states have implemented statewide bans on single-use plastic bags, and numerous municipalities have done so as well, including Boston, Boulder, Chicago, Seattle and Washington, D.C. Alternatively, many businesses have begun charging customers a small fee for using plastic bags.
But do bans and fees work? A new study suggests they're making a real difference.
Researchers analyzed 180 local programs featuring plastic bag fees and bans, then examined data from more than 45,000 beach cleanups in those locations to see if the litter amounts increased or decreased after these anti-plastic bag programs went into effect. The researchers also studied the differences between areas with and without a plastic bag policy.
The results showed that these policies led to a decrease in plastic bag litter that needed to be removed from waterways.
This new research “really takes it to the next level, showing it’s not only reducing the amount of bags we’re using, but it’s actually achieving our broader objectives of environmental cleanliness," Dr. Erin Murphy, manager of Ocean Plastics Research for the Ocean Conservancy, said.
The study also found that while full plastic bag bans had a bigger impact than partial bans, the communities where fees were enacted fared better than places with bans.
Want to make a difference? Here are 6 simple things that you can do:
1) Reduce the number of plastic bags you use.
2) Reuse them when you can.
3) Recycle plastic bags.
4) Contact local businesses and encourage them to stop using plastic bags. If they want to charge a fee, suggest the proprietors donate that fee to environmental causes.
5) Contact lawmakers and encourage them to enact a plastic bag ban in your area.
6) Get your friends together and clean up some litter. You'll not only make your community more beautiful, you could be saving the lives of local wildlife.
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From cast mates to couplehood
Did you ever see the 2003 film, "School of Rock," starring Jack Black? He played Dewey Finn, a musician who was kicked out of a rock band and became a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. Once in the classroom, he tries to transform the students into a rock band:
At the age of 10, Angelo Massagli and Caitlin Hale were both child actors. They were cast to play students in the movie: she as a backup singer named Marta, and he as Frankie, a member of the band's security detail. During the months spent shooting the film in New York, all of the young actors bonded and became friends.
Fifteen years later, Massagli and Hale crossed paths in South Florida. They met for lunch and soon began to date. Dating led to living together and then to a proposal. After the couple married, nine of their "School of Rock" castmates attended their wedding celebration -- and even put on a dance performance.
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A great day at work
A SPECIAL DAY TO CELEBRATE
I’d like to create an official "fun" holiday, just like the ones listed in each issue of this newsletter. The holiday would be dedicated to sharing good news and spreading a message of positivity. And, I need your help:
1) IDEAS SOUGHT: Have any thoughts on how to celebrate National Good News Day? Should we offer swag (coffee mugs, notebooks, T-shirts, etc.)? Perhaps give an award to other good news sites? Ideas, dear readers. Send ‘em in:
2) WE GOTTA GROW: Help me to build the readership of A Bit of Good News.
If you already subscribe to the free version of this newsletter, consider upgrading to the paid version. Subscriptions are only $5/month, or $50/year. Everyone who purchases a subscription will be automatically entered into a monthly giveaway for books, gift certificates and other prizes.
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If, like me, you believe there’s still good in the world, consider promoting A Bit of Good News on social media. You can find a free image to do so here.
Once this newsletter reaches 1,000 paid subscribers, I'll create a holiday for us to celebrate. So spread the word, Good Newsers. Let's make a day of it!
THIS WEEK’S POLL
PREVIOUS POLL
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THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On June 25, 1978, the first version of the rainbow flag was flown during the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day parade.
On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that same-sex marriage was a legal right in all 50 states.
On June 27, 1987, singer Whitney Houston became the first woman in U.S. history to enter the album chart at No. 1 with "Whitney."
On June 28, 1953, workers at a Chevrolet plant in Flint, Mich., assembled the first Corvette.
On June 29, 2007, Apple's first mobile “smartphone,” the iPhone, went on sale.
On June 30, 1972, the first leap second was added to Coordinated Universal Time.
On July 1, 1979, the first Sony Walkman went on sale.
On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, which prohibited discrimination based on color, national origin, race, religion or sex.
THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
June 25 is Global Beatles Day, International Day of the Seafarer, National Catfish Day, National Strawberry Parfait Day, Anthony Bourdain Day, Color TV Day, Goats Cheese Day and Smurfs Day
June 26 is World Refrigeration Day, National Barcode Day, National Canoe Day, National Chocolate Pudding Day, National Day of Joy, National Coconut Day, National Parchment Day and Same-Sex Marriage Day
June 27 is National Bingo Day, National Handshake Day, National Ice Cream Cake Day, National Onion Day, National Orange Blossom Day, National Sunglasses Day, National Women's Fly-Fishing Day, National Work From Home Day and Helen Keller Day
June 28 is National Food Truck Day, National Paul Bunyan Day, National Tapioca Day, Ceviche Day, Cream Tea Day, Log Cabin Day and Yogurt Day
June 29 is International Day of the Tropics, International Fisherman Day, International Mud Day, National Almond Buttercrunch Day, National Camera Day and National Waffle Iron Day
June 30 is International Asteroid Day, National Organization for Women Day, Blink 182 Day and Log Cabin Day
July 1 is International Chicken Wing Day, International Joke Day, International Reggae Day, National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day, National Gingersnap Day, National Postal Workers Day, National U.S. Postage Stamp Day, American Zoo Day, Early Bird Day, Meteor Watch Day and Zip Code Day
July 2 is World Sports Journalists Day, World UFO Day, National Disco Day, National Raspberry Cheesecake Day, National Wildland Firefighter Day, I Forgot Day and Sports Journalists Day
HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* Leave cold water bottles and snacks for delivery drivers
* Stop by a discount or warehouse store and purchase a large quantity of popsicles. Then drop 'em off at the local food bank.
* Create a stick library for dogs in your neighborhood to enjoy
RECOMMENDED SUBSTACK
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to Dev Leigh, Unsplash, the Center for Biological Diversity, Good Start Packaging, Science magazine, CNN, Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers, YouTube, The New York Times, The Associated Press, the Owl Research Institute, Jane Malyon, History.com, This Day in History, Britannica, Time and Date, On This Day, the Library of Congress, IMDb, This Day in Music, National Today, National Day Calendar, Holidays Calendar, The Moonlight Reader Society, Granite Goodness, Emily Charlotte Powell, While I Was Drawing, Counting Beans, Canva and Deposit Photos for art and story suggestions.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Read a positive/uplifting news story lately? Have an inspiring quote you want to share? Or do you just want to let me know about some of your favorite simple pleasures?
Thanks for recommending us Jade!