The Reusable Bag Movement
In 2012, California's central-coast San Luis Obispo County enacted a law that banned stores from providing plastic bags. Shoppers were required to bring their own bags or pay for paper or reusable bags at checkout. A few years later, the entire state followed suit with a similar ordinance. Within just a year, beach clean-up crews noticed a drastic difference. Plastic bags used to be the most common item picked up, but now are not even in the top ten items.
But why are governments banning plastic bags in the first place? Plastic bags have detrimental effects on the environment, especially in coastal communities where many bags end up in the ocean. The bags can be mistaken for food, attract toxins, and can tangle around marine animals. And they're just as harmful on land. Plastic bags are not biodegradable, so they leave toxins in our soil—which can transfer to foods and plants. Even though they are often labeled as recyclable, they cannot be placed in regular recycling bins; the plastic is so thin that they can clog the machines that break down other plastics.
In short: plastic bags are pretty terrible. But there is a way you can help, even if you don't live in a state that bans the bags! Using reusable bags is an easy alternative available to everyone. In fact, most grocery stores nowadays sell some sort of reusable bag. And the best part? They're so much better than plastic bags—aside from saving the environment. They are typically larger, which means you'll be more able to carry the groceries inside in one trip. They are stronger, which means you can put several cans in one bag without having to double-bag anything. And, they are often super cute!
So, what if you have a bunch of plastic grocery bags already in your home? There are several ways you can maximize their use and dispose of them properly. Use plastic bags to line small trash cans, keep some in your car for trash or road sickness, use them to pick up after pets, wrap them around fragile items when moving, bring one along when traveling for dirty clothes, or use them to protect surfaces during arts and crafts time. If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can use bags to create unique crochet projects or to insulate quilts. If none of that appeals to you, check if your local libraries, food pantries, and local businesses will accept them for reuse (many will). And, of course, most grocery stores now have depositories where you can properly recycle plastic bags.
What are you waiting for? Join the reusable bag movement—it's easy!
Additional readings:
California's Plastic Bag Ban and Morro Bay
How Do Plastic Bags Affect Our Environment?
Plastic Bag Environmental Impact
18 Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags
But why are governments banning plastic bags in the first place? Plastic bags have detrimental effects on the environment, especially in coastal communities where many bags end up in the ocean. The bags can be mistaken for food, attract toxins, and can tangle around marine animals. And they're just as harmful on land. Plastic bags are not biodegradable, so they leave toxins in our soil—which can transfer to foods and plants. Even though they are often labeled as recyclable, they cannot be placed in regular recycling bins; the plastic is so thin that they can clog the machines that break down other plastics.
In short: plastic bags are pretty terrible. But there is a way you can help, even if you don't live in a state that bans the bags! Using reusable bags is an easy alternative available to everyone. In fact, most grocery stores nowadays sell some sort of reusable bag. And the best part? They're so much better than plastic bags—aside from saving the environment. They are typically larger, which means you'll be more able to carry the groceries inside in one trip. They are stronger, which means you can put several cans in one bag without having to double-bag anything. And, they are often super cute!
So, what if you have a bunch of plastic grocery bags already in your home? There are several ways you can maximize their use and dispose of them properly. Use plastic bags to line small trash cans, keep some in your car for trash or road sickness, use them to pick up after pets, wrap them around fragile items when moving, bring one along when traveling for dirty clothes, or use them to protect surfaces during arts and crafts time. If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can use bags to create unique crochet projects or to insulate quilts. If none of that appeals to you, check if your local libraries, food pantries, and local businesses will accept them for reuse (many will). And, of course, most grocery stores now have depositories where you can properly recycle plastic bags.
What are you waiting for? Join the reusable bag movement—it's easy!
Additional readings:
California's Plastic Bag Ban and Morro Bay
How Do Plastic Bags Affect Our Environment?
Plastic Bag Environmental Impact
18 Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags
Photo used under Creative Commons from MIKI Yoshihito. (#mikiyoshihito)