Green experiment 7: Reusable bags
Why switch? About ten years ago the conundrum facing consumers was choosing paper or plastic bags to tote their new purchases, the new problem is whether they should use disposable bags at all. While the switch to plastic bags was a step forward (plastic bags require drastically less energy to produce and recycle), the fallout from their widespread use has presented new problems. The world consumes about 500 billion plastic bags per year and recycles an estimated one to three percent of these bags. Many municipal recycling programs in North Texas (such as Denton, Richardson, and Lewisville) will recycle almost anything as long as it's not a plastic bag. The cost of recycling the bags is usually greater than buying new ones, and thus businesses have little incentive to recycle.
The potential impact: A cleaner environment is the most important potential impact of reducing our consumption of plastic bags. It takes up to 1,000 years for a plastic bag to completely degrade, and even then it only photodegrades into smaller toxic pieces that can pollute our land and water supply. Creating the world's plastic bag supply also uses 60 million barrels of oil per year. Lowering this number could help to reduce our dependence on oil.
The products I tested: A large canvas tote provided free from Green Mountain Energy for joining their Big Texas Sun Club.
rycor814's mom also got me a Laptop Lunch Kit from Reusablebags.com, which I have been using for a few months now.
The results: On my usual weekly grocery shopping trip (usually at Target or Sprouts), I get about 10-12 plastic bags (depending on the bagger). While the tote did not eliminate my plastic bag use, it did cut it in half. I also incurred a funny look from my cashier who tried to fill the canvas bag only halfway. With some prodding, I got him to fill the whole thing. As for the lunch kit, I use it any time I pack a sandwich plus goodies for lunch. Whenever I take a reusable plastic container filled with leftovers, I reuse a plastic shopping bag to carry it.
Conclusion: With an additional tote, I'd say my next try at shopping with reusable bags will be a complete success.
More information:
The potential impact: A cleaner environment is the most important potential impact of reducing our consumption of plastic bags. It takes up to 1,000 years for a plastic bag to completely degrade, and even then it only photodegrades into smaller toxic pieces that can pollute our land and water supply. Creating the world's plastic bag supply also uses 60 million barrels of oil per year. Lowering this number could help to reduce our dependence on oil.
The products I tested: A large canvas tote provided free from Green Mountain Energy for joining their Big Texas Sun Club.
rycor814's mom also got me a Laptop Lunch Kit from Reusablebags.com, which I have been using for a few months now.
The results: On my usual weekly grocery shopping trip (usually at Target or Sprouts), I get about 10-12 plastic bags (depending on the bagger). While the tote did not eliminate my plastic bag use, it did cut it in half. I also incurred a funny look from my cashier who tried to fill the canvas bag only halfway. With some prodding, I got him to fill the whole thing. As for the lunch kit, I use it any time I pack a sandwich plus goodies for lunch. Whenever I take a reusable plastic container filled with leftovers, I reuse a plastic shopping bag to carry it.
Conclusion: With an additional tote, I'd say my next try at shopping with reusable bags will be a complete success.
More information:
- In 2002 Ireland introduced a tax on plastic bags called the PlasTax. Consumers had to pay a tax of about 15 cents per bag. Consumption of plastic bags fell about 95 percent, and about $10 million in taxes were collected and placed in a fund designed to help the environment. Brilliant!
- Following Ireland's lead, many other cities and countries are considering implementing bans or taxes for plastic bags. Check out Austin's movement at BagtheBags.com
- Put a reusable bag on your holiday wish list this year. I'm putting Reusablebags.com's Cotton Mesh Produce Bags and another canvas tote on mine!
- Also try using some reusable gift bags this year. Just Google it! Also, it sounds crazy, but I read that you can wash potato chip bags in warm soapy dishwater, dry them, turn them inside out, and use them for shiny gift wrap. It beats the heck out of shelling out 5-10 bucks for a roll of metallic gift wrap.