Owen J. Roberts 6th-grade students design and unveil reusable shopping bags

CHESTER SPRINGS — Sixth-grade students at West Vincent Elementary School displayed their individual works of art, on cloth bags, during a recent unveiling ceremony.

The colorful bags and art project coincide with an ongoing initiative by West Vincent Township to promote the use of reusable bags and prohibit single-use bags in the community.

The plain cloth bags were gifted to students by the West Vincent Township Sustainability Committee as part of a collaborative project between the Committee and West Vincent Elementary’s art department. The project was designed to encourage students to utilize reusable shopping bags, replace single-use bags and express their creative talents.

“It was so fulfilling to support these sixth graders in something that helps them connect with their West Vincent community,” said Allison Beaver, art teacher at West Vincent Elementary.

Students were informed by the school’s staff about the bag’s intended use (and reuse), and encouraged to develop art for both sides of their bags. As part of their designs, students were asked that one side of the bag be used for a slogan or message — such as a reminder for the owner to take the bag with them. Likewise, students were encouraged to design artwork for the other side of the bag with designs inspired by the health of the planet and its human population.

“I was just so amazed with the time and effort the students put into these messages,” said School Nurse Becky Kilfoy. “West Vincent Elementary is excited to be part of the community and our Wildcats really come out to support nature and the environment. Our Earth Day Celebrations and Be Idle Free Campaign are both testaments to our students’ commitment and dedication.”

On July 16, West Vincent Township passed Ordinance No.208, joining Uwchlan Township and other regional governmental bodies in a growing movement to prohibit single-use bags as well as other non-natural single-use items.

Formally known as “An Ordinance of West Vincent Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania to Promote the Use of Single-Use Carry-out Plastic Bags, Polystyrene Food and Drink Containers by Commercial Establishments, and Establishing a Charge for the Provision of Certain types of Bags at the Point of Sale”, the new directive went into effect for all businesses in the township on Oct.18.