LIHU‘E — In an ongoing effort to promote “source reduction” of waste, the county Recycling Office announced this week an event to distribute free reusable shopping bags to the public on Dec. 5.

Reusable shopping bags made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles will be distributed at the county Civic Center Building from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until the supply of bags for the event runs out, a press release states. The event is for Kaua‘i residents, and there is a limit of two bags per person.

For those unable to attend the event, the bags will be distributed free of charge at grocery stores island-wide, beginning the third week of December. For a listing of stores distributing bags, visit the county Web site at www.kauai.gov/recycling and click on the “Reusable Shopping Bag” program link, or call the county Recycling Office at 241-5120.