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Would you rather have a root canal without Novocain or fall down a flight of stairs? Would you rather breathe second hand smoke or get an X-ray without the lead protective vest? Would you like paper or plastic? |
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There is no good answer to any of these questions. When the perky cashier at the local grocery store asks if we want paper or plastic bags, she might as well be asking us about a root canal or second hand smoke. Yes, shopping bags come with a lot of …baggage. There is no good answer to the dreaded question of paper or plastic bags. If you choose paper you are killing trees. If you choose plastic you are using petroleum and contributing to the depletion of a scarce natural resource. Not to mention that the plastic bags will end up in landfills where they will never decompose. Sigh!
The manufacture of both paper and plastic bags consumes large amounts of natural resources and both can be recycled to some extent. Paper bags consume more natural resources to produce but they are more recyclable than plastic especially since paper bags can be composted. I always thought paper was the more eco-friendly friendly choice but apparently plastic bags are the clear winner at the cash register. In California, we are using 600 plastic bags per second. So many that a California law has been passed requiring implementation of a statewide plastic bag recycling program.
Now I must admit that I have seen those plastic recycling bins and I have never taken the time to take my plastic grocery bags back to the store to recycle them. I guess I am in good company since only 1-4% of plastic bags in California are recycled. My local curbside recycling service does not accept plastic bags which I did not know until recently. The last time I went to Safeway they must have given me 10 plastic bags for about 25 items. I felt sick with guilt.
So the next time you are asked, “Paper or plastic?” the best answer is, “Neither.” The greenest choice is a reusable bag. The biggest challenges I have found with reusable bags are:
1. not bringing enough bags to fit all of my groceries 2. forgetting the bags in the car (which is how I ended up with 10 plastic bags the other day.)
I would recommend buying a set of six bags right from the start to avoid falling short at the checkout stand. For example, you can purchase The Planet Bag Set of Six (6) 100% Cotton Cloth Grocery Totes from Amazon.com which are 100% cotton and can be machine washed. If you are going to purchase a reusable bag you might as well do it right and get a bag that is naturally cotton rather than one made with synthetic fabric or synthetic polypropylene (plastic.) I have not figured out a good way to remember to bring the bags into the store. My new strategy is to make sure my bags are in my line of vision at all times so that when I am climbing out of the car I see the bags. If they are buried in the back of the car under a mound of sweaters I always forget.
What strategies have you devised to remember to bring your reusable bag into the store? I have found setting up a system is one of the most important parts of going green. |
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June 26th, 2008 at 5:46 am
I keep all my non-yucky recycling in my cloth grocery bags. My recycling center is located in the same parking lot as the grocery store. If I want to go shop, I have to first drop off my recycling. SInce my full recycling bags are lined up in the foyer like soldiers, and my husband is forever nagging me to get them out of here, I never forget to bring my bags. In fact, if I leave the house empty handed, I feel like I’m forgetting something.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Mine are always in the trunk and when I head off to the store I put them in the back seat so they aren’t “out of sight, out of mind”. And just FYI, Whole Foods sells a great reusable bag that holds a ton of groceries for .99 each. They are even great for stuff at the beach. I take reusable bags to Target and Longs now too. And the few bags I end up with from stores I either a) use as trash bags instead of buying them and adding to the dilemma or b) the pretty “handle” bags you get from dept. stores I take to “Pick of the Litter” in Burlingame. It’s the Humane Society’s thrift store and they ove getting those bags……..and the proceeds from the store help to save animals. Whoo hoo…..a two-fer.
June 28th, 2008 at 4:42 am
Hey, simple trick from a German person:
I just drive with the bike to shop in my local biologic store. I put the bags in the back of my bike. When stopping at the store I need to lock my bike and then I automatically grab my bag because the lock is also in the back of my bike…
So drive with the bike and you do not forget your bag. That is how you move to “protect the environment 2.0″.
Drive Less, then you may start thinking about using reusable bags and the other details ! And if you really need to drive, then use a small hybrid car like the Prius.
Greetings from Germany,
Andreas
June 28th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Great to get both international and domestic tips. Thank you so much for sharing.
Eventhough I just wrote this blog I went to the store the other day and forgot my bags despite the fact that they were in my line of vision. This time I put my groceries back in my cart, stepped out of line and returned to the car to get the bags. Maybe if I make myself do that every time I will remember to take the bags into the store in order to avoid the hassle. I am trying every angle.
June 30th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Great Article,
Its always hard to get into a new healthy habit. I keep a ton of cotton reusable bags in the trunk of my car at all times. If I forget to bring my bags into the store I make myself go out and get them. It’s a pain to do since it usually involves leaving a cart of food to go back outside. After a period of time it became ingrained in my brain to bring my bags in the first place. I now never forget. Grabbing a bag has become as natural as locking the car door before I leave.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Most eco-friendly gorcery bags are about double the size of a regular plastic grocery bag so it’s important to buy enough for one grocery shop– I would say 2-4 is a good option. To keep them stored away but in reach when you need them try storing keeping them in the backseat of your car or trunk so when you are on the road and you need to pick something up, you will always have it with you. If you take public transit try keeping one in your backpack or purse. Even using one can make a difference every time you use it.
Hope this helps.
July 4th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Our company http://www.whatsurbag-usa.com makes reusable multi use shopping bags called itSlastik out of fashionable flexible materials. They are made in New Orleans by Katrina Survivors and 5% of profit goes to Hope House a charity that feeds, trains and houses the homeless. They hold twice as much as a plastic bag and lighten the load you are carrying because of its flexibility. Please visit our website at http://www.whatsurbag-usa.com Joaneelmore@whatsurbag-usa.com
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:13 pm
My girlfriend and I shop together. We’ve talked about how important it is to reuse bags so we tend to remind each other. At first we forgot them all the time, but like the others it’s become second nature after reminding each other each time. We have 8 bags too, and bring them all…. it’s always good to be prepared! One of them is extra big too, which is terrible for regular groceries but great for toilet paper!
September 21st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I’m working on an assignment in my Environmental Conservation class about Plastic Pollution. In Florida our main grocery chain is called Publix. They offer reusable bags for $0.99 and you get a little green sticker you can put on your windshield that says “Bring your Bags.” That way everytime you get into the car you see your reminder and eventually over time it will just become a habit like bringing your purse with you. That’s how I remember!
June 6th, 2009 at 5:54 am
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June 21st, 2009 at 6:04 am
Useful info, nice blog, thanks.