Did you know that Americans use 100 billion plastic shopping bags each year, requiring 12 million barrels of oil to make them.
It takes one 15-year-old tree to produce 700 paper grocery bags.
One supermarket can use all of them in under an hour!
Each high quality, reusable canvas bag in use has the potential to replace 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime.
Ouch - I had no idea. I have been using reusable bags for over a year now so I feel better, but there are still so many people who don't!
And that is why when possible I don't get a bag with my goods. Drives me insane that they want to give you a bag for ONE item! Plastic bags is oil that can otherwise be used for gas and bring down that good ole gas price.
Thanks for this enlightening info. I did not know that. However, I am very big on recycling. I always get upset with my husband when I see him throwing away the plastic bottle or beer can.
I believe the use of plastic bags by retail establishments should be banned. The only exception would be to wrap various fresh meats to prevent the spillage of any fluids.
Sean Allen
Yikes ! The numbers just get crazier and crazier. We mostly use the canvas bags and always recycle the plastic. Good reminder.
I have to agree w/ Sean Allen's comments. I need to use plastic bags every now and then. For example, I have had to use those "vegeteble plastic bags" for my chicken/meat purchases before I put them in my canvas bags. Thanks for the post Pippa (Gotta love that name!)
I have to agree w/ Sean Allen's comments. I need to use plastic bags every now and then. For example, I have had to use those "vegeteble plastic bags" for my chicken/meat purchases before I put them in my canvas bags. Thanks for the post Pippa (Gotta love that name!)
I have to agree w/ Sean Allen's comments. I need to use plastic bags every now and then. For example, I have had to use those "vegeteble plastic bags" for my chicken/meat purchases before I put them in my canvas bags. Thanks for the post Pippa (Gotta love that name!)
Recycling is a linchpin for sustainability. Don't be caught still using plastic bags, when there are so many viable & "green" alternatives. It's up to us, as individuals!
Great idea, my wife always uses her own bags at the supermarket and else where.
A second benifit is her bags don't rip, carry heavy things and fit more in them.
There is a law in NYC I understand which deals with some of this.
It is not only the oil, it is the issue of dumping them.
Richard
The reusable bags I bought from my grocery store are more durable than plastic or paper bags and they come in handy for lots of other things. I use them to carry towels when we are going to the beach and toys for my daughter when we are on vacation.
I've got the bags from my local grocery...be darned if I know where they are...but you are going to make me go look for them....later!
On at least a positive note, I resuse all my plastic bags as garbage sacks, so they don't just get thrown away, and I don't have to buy seperate garbage bags. I think that's a good thing, right?
Thom and Ray .... yes, thanks for saving and resusing plastic bags, its a step in the right direction
Kristin ... thanks
What a disturbing picture and statistics. Our town is aiming for no more plastic shopping bags in the next few years.
Dont forget the huge amount of water wasted in the process of making paper bags.
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