Reusable shopping bags aren’t just a trendy way to carry your groceries, there are actually many reasons why using reusable bags is the right way to carry your groceries (and everything else).
So why should we use reusable bags?
Degradation
A plastic bag can take 15 to 1,000 years to degrade in a landfill. As plastics bags break down, they absorb toxins which then can be released into the wind, water, or ground.
Marine Life
It is estimated that plastic bags alone kill up to 100,000 marine animals every year. Some of the marine life most impacted are water birds and sea turtles, who often mistake them for food or get tangled up in them and cannot escape.
Petroleum and Natural Gas
It takes the same amount of petroleum to drive one kilometer in your car, as it takes to make seven plastic bags. Choosing reusable bags saves on non-renewable resources and helps protect the environment.
Cost to Recycle
The cost to recycle plastic bags outweighs their value, so most recycling facilities will not take them. Instead of being recycled, they are thrown out with the rest of the trash.
Light Weight
Thanks to their light weight, plastic bags in landfills don’t always stay there. They are likely to fly away and can settle in trees, lakes or oceans, and block storm drains.
Long Lasting
A reusable bag is much more durable, and are more unlikely to have their handle tear off or develop any holes. The average reusable bag has a lifespan equal to that of more than 700 disposable plastic bags.
Stylish designs
Custom reusable grocery bags come in a wide variety of stylish colors and designs, making shopping a bit less routine and more fun.
Less germs/cleanliness
Do you know where plastic bags have been before they enter your home and touch your food? No. With reusable bags, you know exactly where the bag has been, leading to fewer germs. If your reusable bag does get dirty, they are easy to wipe down and wash.
Repurpose for other uses
Reusable grocery bags can be used for a lot more than carrying groceries. A nice reusable bag is essentially a structured tote bag, and can be used for many of the thigs you’d use a tote bag for.
It’s hard to imagine life without plastic grocery bags, consider this; plastic grocery bags were introduced at grocery stores in 1977. This means generations of people over thousands of years got along just fine using their own bags to carry their purchases home – and you can, too!
