FonDo > Paper or Plastic?
Paper or Plastic?
Neither, thanks. Resuable shopping bags are on the rise
By Sara Wedding
Americans use approximately 380 billion plastic bags every year. A lot of those bags end up buried in landfills, may take up to 1,000 years to decompose, and then turn into smaller toxic particles that contaminate soil and water. In addition, their production consumes millions of gallons of oil that could be used for fuel and heating. These free bags ultimately cost both consumers and the environment a lot of harm.
But new trends are emerging. As people look for new ways to prevent waste from piling up, eco-friendly reusable bags are becoming more popular. Some stores like Lunds and Byerly’s sell high-quality shopping bags made of materials that don’t harm the environment and don’t need to be discarded after each use. Beyond the food market, large retailers like IKEA do not provide free plastic bags to customers. They charge 5 cents per plastic bag. The proceeds go to American Forests, a non-profit conservation organization. IKEA also lowered the cost of its trademark durable and roomy blue bags to encourage reuse.
Not only are these types of bags eco-friendly, but they can also be fashionable. The Australian company Envirosax offers reusable grocery bags that are lightweight, waterproof, reusable and affordable. They come in an assortment of colors and can be rolled up and carried in a pouch small enough to be stowed in a handbag or glove box. The bags are made out of polyester and designed with reinforced seams to hold the equivalent of two large plastic bags. Envirosax also offers an organic series; these bags are manufactured using fine-grade hemp and printed with vegetable-based inks.
Other popular brands of eco-friendly bags include: ACME Bags, GreenSak and b. happybags. Next time a store clerk asks you if you would prefer “paper or plastic” for your purchases, consider giving the truly eco-friendly response by saying “neither.”