In this episode, themed around the plastic bag problem, Sofia interviews the founder of Chico Bags Andy Keller. Keller has become an outspoken opponent of plastic bags, creating a character called the “Bag Monster” from 500 plastic bags, the number each American uses annually. He uses this to raise awareness about the environmental impact of disposable bags. In January 2011, his company was sued by three leading plastic-bag manufacturers accusing it of causing “irreparable harm” to their business by defaming their product. Though we can not talk about that on the podcast Andy can talk facts and hacks around plastic bags. Topics discussed include how the system of recycling is broken, how it is cheaper to throw it in the landfill, benefit corporation, extended producer responsibility, take-back programs, using our dollars as votes, market-based solution, closing the loop on plastic, how50% of the plastic that you get you don't even need or want, producer responsibility on the end of life of their product and how we need to redesign the way we carry groceries home. Thank you, Andy, for being an inspiration and founding a company we can be happy putting our dollars into. For more information on this episode's topic visit our blog at www.zerowastelifehacks.com Thank you to our sponsors Chico Bags, Etee & Haute Mobile Disco Thank you to HAUTE MOBILE DISCO for curating this Episode's playlist and our theme music. To hear the music featured on this episode, and others, visit the music blog on www.hautemobiledisco.com and click the music tag ZERO WASTE LIFE HACKER. If you would like a Zero Wast consultation or want to make your next event zero waste, reach out to our host Sofia via her company www.zerowasteco.com