Sleeping on Plastic

This is an easy story to love. A recent issue of Plenty Magazine contains an article about a community in central Mexico that has discovered a great use for plastic shopping bags. They make mattresses out of them for charity.

According to the article by Laura Fraser, a group of volunteers meets each Wednesday morning at St. Paul's church in San Miguel de Allende to stuff plastic bags into mattress covers.

Although time consuming, each mattress is easy to make, the article says and uses up about 1,500 bags that have been tied in compact knots. One volunteer is quoted as saying, "We've taken an eyesore and non-recyclable garbage and turned it into something that will make a big difference in people's lives: A good night's sleep."

Speaking of making a difference: Next time the cashier asks if you want a bag with that tiny purchase you've made at the drugstore, just say no. I tried it today, and man, what an easy way to feel morally superior!