Lets start with a simple step we can take to help keep our environment clean and also save the life of animals.
Make the shift: Use less plastic bags
Plastic bags pollute the soil and water and kill thousands of marine mammals ever year! In the US we throw away almost 100 billion plastic bags every year, and only 1 to 3 percent are ever recycled. Plastic bags are not biodegradable and may take 1,000 years or more to break down!
Why are plastic bags so toxic? Well producing them requires millions of gallons of... petroleum. What can you do? For one, why not challenge yourself on reducing or even eliminating the use of plastic bags. Companies like Whole Foods and others have switched to reusable shopping bags, they are made from renewable materials and conserve resources by replacing paper and plastic bags.
If you do have to use plastic bags be sure to recycle them. Many grocery stores now collect plastic bags for recycling.
Make the shift, reply below with your thoughts, tips or pledge.
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7
Plastic Bags & Our Environment
Started by Hayden, Jun 21 2010 09:25 PM
130 replies to this topic
#2
Posted 30 June 2010 - 12:43 PM
I appreciate the thought. When shopping for groceries, I use paper bags provided at the stores. I'm low income and cannot afford to buy big reusable bags. I wish I could. I only shop once or twice a month, which means when I come home, I have about ten bags of groceries. If only finances were different. I just can't afford it. I feel guilty about it, but when you're struggling to buy the groceries in the first place, it's just not possible to buy those expensive reusable bags.
#4
Posted 12 July 2010 - 09:43 AM
It is really not that people do not want to make the change (I am sure there are some). But a good portion of the population simply cannot afford to purchase reusable bags so they resort to whatever is available for them. There are two reasons why most do not use paper bags. In most stores they are no longer available, and for those people who have to walk they are not functional.
I am one for recycling, but in a lot of cases people are able to carry more. Been one of those people who had to walk. I just saved for my bags and then found the cheapest place to get them from.
I am one for recycling, but in a lot of cases people are able to carry more. Been one of those people who had to walk. I just saved for my bags and then found the cheapest place to get them from.
#6
Posted 15 July 2010 - 07:51 AM
altenergy, on 12 July 2010 - 12:21 PM, said:
Thats very true. I find many stores charge between $1 - $5 for recycled bags etc.
You do not need to buy them.
Ask somebody, who can sew. It is an easy thing for a good sewer to build one bag.
All you need for it is a good piece of fabric and a little time to do so.
#8
Posted 18 July 2010 - 05:09 AM
One of my local supermarket actually supports shoppers who bring their own shopping bags by giving them a ten cent discount. Although it is a small amount, it is still a kind gesture which encourages us to use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags.
#10
Posted 20 July 2010 - 07:53 AM
In a nearby local store, they have a promo on giving a reusable green bag for anyone who shops within some amount. The green reusable bag is made from cloth which you could wash every time it gets dirty.
A good tactic to get buyers buying from them even more!
A good tactic to get buyers buying from them even more!
#11
Posted 21 July 2010 - 07:49 AM
You know the person that said have someone sew them is right. You can generally find somewhere to get fabric whether from clothing you no longer wear to some at yard sales. And sewing the bag should not be a hard task even if you have minimal sewing experience and sewing machine. That could be a good way to start a new business and make some extra money as well. Charge a dollar or so for a bag, and recycle the world.
#12
Posted 23 July 2010 - 03:26 AM
First of all I would like to say that you really discussed the most imortant topic, we should pledge from now onwards that from today we would be not using plastic bags, carry jute bags or any carry bag along with you when going to the market.
#13
Posted 24 July 2010 - 12:44 AM
People on limited incomes can't afford reuseable bags. They are not cheap, and what if you don't know anyone who sews? When I go shopping, I buy for multiple weeks at a time. I'd need about ten reusable bags. I can't afford to buy them, nor do I know a soul who would be willing to make them for me. If I did, I'd do it.
#14
Posted 29 July 2010 - 08:29 AM
Orrymain, on 24 July 2010 - 12:44 AM, said:
People on limited incomes can't afford reuseable bags. They are not cheap, and what if you don't know anyone who sews? When I go shopping, I buy for multiple weeks at a time. I'd need about ten reusable bags. I can't afford to buy them, nor do I know a soul who would be willing to make them for me. If I did, I'd do it.
Just reuse the old plastic bags which you have used before. That way, you can contribute to a greener life.
The points here are reuse and recycle.
#17
Posted 23 September 2011 - 05:36 PM
Haven't some cities imposed bans on plastic bags at grocery stores? Maybe I am dreaming, but I thought I heard that before. For those that cannot afford to buy recyclable bags, does your grocery store offer paper bags as an alternative to the plastic?
#18
Posted 24 September 2011 - 04:00 PM
It has become common practice where I live for many of the retail merchants to charge a fee per plastic bag, usually starting at ten cents per bag, with some places charging as much as twenty five cents per bag! Considering that you can purchase re usable grocery bags from stores such as walmart for under a dollar, it ends up being cheaper to bring your own bags. It also cuts down on the excess plastic going into landfills, because no matter how many times we re use a plastic bag, it is still plastic, and will still end up in the garbage somewhere down the line.
#19
Posted 25 September 2011 - 07:05 AM
lourdes, on 01 December 2010 - 04:03 AM, said:
I was wondering if there was any place in town that accepts plastic bags for recycling, cause I have two garbage bags full. I know some places have the little receptacles but this is beyond that, I think.
#20
Posted 25 September 2011 - 07:25 AM
As I had posted on the green bad topic here, I have been trying my best to always bring a earth friendly shopping bag when I am buying things or commodities. I am also keeping the plastic bags I had got from buying the groceries and recycle them just like use them as garbage bag.
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