Oakland is pushing "two green actions in one" this month with a reminder to locals to ride BART to shop, and carry your own bags to tote away new goods.

Every second, 400 plastic bags are distributed in California. That's 14 billion bags per year, according to a new campaign to green the city. Californians could save 2,000 barrels of oil each day by using half as many plastic bags.

And asking for paper over plastic presents its own problems. Paper bags generate high air and water emissions, take up landfill space and require trees for manufacture.

One reusable bag replaces 1,000 single-use bags over its lifetime.

The city kicked off a new environmental campaign last week at BART's Fruitvale station with billboards in English and Spanish about the effort. The billboards show Oaklanders and BART riders remembering to use their own bags. Seems like a fair approach.

Oakland's Public Works Agency and its partner, Waste Management of Alameda County, have given away more than 100,000 reusable shopping bags to help residents forge the new habit.

“You can live near the Fruitvale Transit Village, which is a smart-growth community, be car free and take BART to go shopping, and bring your own bag to reduce waste. I like how all these things connect to make a green city," said Councilmember Ignacio De La Fuente in a prepared statement. “I am encouraged by this initiative because it successfully merges three critical components which benefit all Oakland residents: transit-oriented development, retail and economic growth and a straightforward environmental element which can easily be promoted within our communities."

Oakland Recycles has provided reusable shopping bags to the Oakland Merchant Leadership Forum, Oakland Public Library and at farmers markets for distribution to residents. Oakland Recycles also has a program to help small businesses support reusable shopping bag use.

“This media campaign helps folks remember to bring their own bag when shopping,” said Wanda Redic from Oakland Recycles, “and not to leave them in the car or hanging from the front door knob.”

For more information about the Bring Your Own Bag campaign, please go to OaklandRecycles.com or call 510-238-SAVE (7283).