Peter Murray didn’t just retire from landscaping; he set out to eliminate plastic bags by creating a biodegradable alternative that he sells through his one-man business, Stardust Sustainables.
Lee Benson reports for Deseret News.
In short:
- Inspired by staggering plastic waste statistics, Murray developed a bag made from jute and cotton, which decomposes within months if discarded.
- Since launching Stardust Sustainables, Murray has sold bags to individuals and retailers like REI and national parks, aiming to curb plastic bag use in everyday shopping.
- Each Stardust bag, priced at $12, can replace up to 1,000 single-use plastic bags annually, marking small but meaningful progress against plastic pollution.
Key quote:
"I’ve made a bag out of material that’s natural, that’s been in the solar system forever, that’s reusable for a long, long time, but when people are done with it, it just goes back to the garden.”
— Peter Murray, founder of Stardust Sustainables
Why this matters:
As retailers like REI and national parks get on board, Murray’s mission is catching on, one bag at a time, offering an accessible step in the right direction for shoppers looking to lighten their environmental footprint. Read more: Americans agree on something: Get single-use plastics out of our national parks.
