The use of reusable bags has become popular in grocery stores across the country, but many other types of businesses take time to catch up. At some point or another, you will most likely pick up a plastic bag from some kind of store. When you accumulate plastic bags, how can you reuse them?
Plastic bags became popular because they are a cheap and affordable way to bag groceries and produce. The bag can be discarded after a single use. While convenient in theory, disposable plastic bags have serious consequences for the environment. A single plastic bag will never go away. Unlike other materials, plastic doesn’t biodegrade, it just breaks into smaller pieces of plastic (which is actually much worse than larger pieces because they can’t be collected).
Plastic bags:
- It never biodegrades.
- Cause animals to suffocate and die.
- Using fossil fuels to create them, increasing our dependence on foreign oil.
- They are an eyesore and get caught in car antennas, mufflers and twisted in engines.
Plastic grocery bags can be recycled first. Many grocery stores accept plastic bags for recycling (you will usually find the receptacle near the entrance or near the can redemption center).
Plastic bag recycling vs. Reuse of plastic bags
Recycling almost always consumes more energy than reusing. By reusing it will give the product a second life. When you recycle something, you are using energy to turn that product into something else, which can use energy and produce emissions.
Five reasons why you should bring your own bag
Plastic has a huge negative effect on the environment and also on our society. The cons far outweigh the positives of these disposable annoyances. Here are some reasons why you should consider switching to reusable bags instead of plastic:
- Bringing your own bag means you will carry less from one place to another. Most reusable bags contain much more than traditional disposable bags. Fewer round trips from the car!
- Every time you use your own bag, you’ll get a small grocery store credit. It usually costs between 5 and 10 cents, which can add up over time.
- Using your own bag reduces our dependence on foreign oil. Plastic uses fossil fuels, found mostly in countries that don’t have the best intentions of the western world. Instead, cast your vote for locally made reusable bags.
- You won’t have to worry about throwing out, recycling, or reusing your disposable bags. By reusing your own bags, you will have less mess and less trash.
- It will send a green message to your children. When they see you using your own bags, they will notice and want to do the same in their lives.
- One of the most popular ways to reuse plastic bags is to use them as a garbage bag.
- Place them in small trash cans in the bathroom, bedrooms, basement, and near the cat’s litter box.
- You can also reuse the plastic bags as packaging. If you’re shipping an item on eBay or sending something to a friend, the bags can act as a cushion, like packing peanuts, if you use enough.
- Keep a plastic bag in your car to contain all the garbage that accumulates in your car. Then just tie it up, throw it away, and use another bag.
- Donate your plastic bags to a local thrift store or charity. These save them from having to buy brand new handbags.
- Post an ad on Craigslist for your bags. A local business may want to use them (there is nothing better than free!).
- Use your bag to hold dirty food and leftovers that might otherwise spill. This is especially useful with soups and liquids.
- Think about the things you would traditionally use plastic for and replace them with your grocery bags. If you normally put your lawn leaves in garbage bags, save your larger shopping bags and put the leaves in there.
- Wrap a bag around bags of flour, sugar, and other dirty baking ingredients. This can help contain clutter and make cleanup easier.
If you want reuse your plastic bags, they have hundreds of uses.
Ways to reuse your plastic bags
Another popular use for them is to use them as dog poop bags. If you are going for a walk, bring a couple of these bags.
