Beginning today, 50,000 reusable shopping bags will be distributed free to shoppers in Fayetteville at various sponsor locations around town.

The Sustainable Fayetteville Habitotes distribution is an initiative that was announced in August by the partners behind the project which include the City of Fayetteville, the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, Fayetteville Public Schools, the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau, and Habitotes, the company that makes the reusable shopping bags.

“Waste reduction is very important,” Mayor Jordan told the media a few months ago. “By equipping our community with free Habitotes bags we can eliminate the waste that is associated with plastic shopping bags.”

The group was originally seeking at least 20 sponsors who were willing to pay $3,500 each to fund the manufacturing and distribution costs of the bags which are made from recycled plastic bottles. According to a press release issued Friday, 23 sponsors were secured including the original partners and various local businesses.

The bags will be handed out at each sponsors’ location beginning today, Monday, Dec. 14. Plus, beginning the week of Jan. 4, 2010, every Fayetteville Public Schools student, teacher and staff member will also receive a free Habitotes bag.

“It’s all about education and making a difference,” said Greg Sparrow, managing partner for Habitotes. “The fact that we can make an immediate reduction in our local waste stream while at the same time reducing global waste stock-piles makes Habitotes a unique and appropriate program.”

Habitotes bags are available at the following sponsor locations:
Adventure Subaru – 2781 N College, Fayetteville
Butler Broadcasting – 1780 W Holly Street, Fayetteville
Best Buy – 464 E Joyce Blvd, Fayetteville
Citiscapes Magazine – 115 North Locust, Fayetteville
The City of Fayetteville – 113 West Mountain Street. Fayetteville
Cox Communications – 3390 N Futrall Dr, Fayetteville
Downstream Casino & Resort – Joplin, Mo
Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce – 123 W Mountain St, Fayetteville
Fayetteville Visitors Center – 15 W Mountain St, Fayetteville
The Flying Burrito – 3200 N College & 509 W Spring St, Fayetteville
Harp’s – 1189 N Garland, 1780 N Crossover, 3055 N College, & Wedington, Fayetteville
KNWA – 15 S Block Ave, Fayetteville
Lindsey Management – 200 East Joyce Blvd. Fayetteville
National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) – 207 West Center, Fayetteville
Northwest Arkansas Mall – 4201 N Shiloh Dr, Fayetteville
On-The-Mark – 2588 N Gregg Ave, Fayetteville
Ozark Natural Foods – 1554 N College Ave, Fayetteville
Ozarks Electric Cooperative – 3641 W Wedington Dr, Fayetteville
Slim Chickens – 2120 N College Ave, Fayetteville
Southwestern Electric Power Company – 101 West Township, Fayetteville
Tyson Foods, Inc – 2210 W Oaklawn Dr, Springdale
University of Arkansas/Global Campus – 2 East Center Street,Fayetteville
United Bank – 670 E Joyce Blvd, Fayetteville