As we try to end our reliance on single-use plastics, many shoppers and brands have turned to reusable grocery bags. But just how sustainable are these reusable alternatives?
Plastic vs. reusable bags
It’s no secret that the flimsy plastic bags many grocery store chains use aren’t good for the environment. After one use, many of them end up in landfills, where they can take 1,000 years to degrade. Those that don’t end up in landfills often get clogged in our waterways or snagged in tree branches, posing a threat to local wildlife.
Though they reduce waste, reusable bags have, by some assessments, a higher carbon footprint than single-use plastic bags. Many reusable shopping bags are simply made of thicker plastic than their single-use counterparts, so they can be more harmful to the environment if they’re not reused.
Unfortunately, many shoppers also aren’t reusing their reusable bags. Instead of offering single-use plastic bags, some supermarkets now sell cheap reusable bags for their shoppers. Greenpeace reported that, in 2019, the average U.K. household purchased more than one reusable bag a week instead of using the reusable bags they already owned.
Reusable cotton bags pose their own problems. The cotton industry uses a lot of water, pesticides, and fertilizer. Though cotton bags don’t cause plastic pollution the same way single-use bags do, the chemicals required to grow cotton conventionally can pollute soil and water and cause harmful air pollution.
“There will always be cases where we forget our [reusable] bags at home. We should try not [to] do that but when we do, we need to buy a bag. And if we then have already too many durable bags at home, it would be better from a climate perspective, at least, to buy a single-use paper or plastic bag,” said Tomas Ekvall, one of the authors of the United Nations Environmental Programme’s 2020 report on single-use plastic bags and their alternatives.
How often should you use reusable bags?
Reusable bags are a relatively sustainable choice as long as you do just that: reuse them. The more you reuse your bags, the better for the environment they are. Thicker reusable bags made of polypropylene must be used an estimated 10 to 20 times for them to be more sustainable than single-use plastic bags, while thinner reusable bags made of polyethylene only need to be used five to 10 times. Cotton bags, meanwhile, must be used 50 to 150 times.
The bottom line is that, instead of buying new bags, you should reuse whatever reusable bags you have as often as possible. That way, you keep single-use plastic bags out of our landfills and ecosystems without clogging up your closet with yet another reusable bag that took resources to make.
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Many reusable shopping bags are simply made of thicker plastic than their single-use counterparts, so they can be more harmful to the environment if they're not reused.
Reusable cotton bags pose their own problems. The cotton industry uses a lot of water, pesticides, and fertilizer. Though cotton bags don't cause plastic pollution the same way single-use bags do, the chemicals required to grow cotton conventionally can pollute soil and water and cause harmful air pollution.
A study by the University of Arizona found that 51% of all reusable bags contained coliform bacteria, and 12% contained E. coli, indicating the presence of fecal matter and other pathogens.
Reusable bags are only successful in creating less waste if people use them often enough to justify the manufacturing process and the resources needed to make them. The number of times a bag is used directly influences its environmental impact—the same goes for reusable water bottles or reusable coffee cups.
The release of aroma compounds sorbed into plastic packages, therefore, may impact the overall quality of products newly packed into the reused containers, thus compromising quality and endangering standardization.
Plant-based eco bags have several disadvantages. Firstly, they may have higher manufacturing costs compared to traditional bags. Secondly, some plant-based materials used in eco bags, such as natural coconut fiber, may have limited availability and may not be as durable as synthetic materials.
It's also linked to respiratory disease, asthma, and cardiovascular disease. And that's just to name the physical effects. Impact plastic has on wildlife. Plastic and its resulting degradation to landscapes may cause severe mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.
Cotton bags require more material and more energy to create than a plastic shopping bag. However, you must consider how often cotton bags and plastic bags are used. According to a UK government report, to be more eco-friendly than a plastic bag, a cotton bag would have to be used 173 times.
Using reusable bags over plastic bags can save money in several areas – Including your own pocket. Many stores are beginning to impose an extra charge for plastic bags. By bringing your own reusable bag, you are saving money each time you go to the grocery store, buy a new outfit, or run errands.
They take hundreds of years to decompose and often end up in landfills, oceans, and other natural habitats where they harm wildlife. Switching to reusable bags can drastically reduce the amount of plastic waste generated and help protect the environment.
If plastic bags are not properly disposed of, they can impact the environment by causing littering and stormwater drain blockages. Animals may also get tangled and drown in plastic bags. Animals often confuse the bags for food and consume them, therefore blocking their digestive processes.
Fabric bags are usually lighter than leather bags, making them an excellent choice for everyday use. They are often foldable, making them practical for traveling. However, fabric bags also have their disadvantages. They are generally less resistant to wear and weathering than leather.
Reusable grocery bags are a smart choice but there could be some risk. When you carry food or other items in these bags, they may leave behind germs like E.coli or Salmonella. If the bags are not properly washed and dried before they are used again, these germs remain and can make you sick.
Plastic bags start out as fossil fuels and end up as deadly waste in landfills and the ocean. Birds often mistake shredded plastic bags for food, filling their stomachs with toxic debris. For hungry sea turtles, it's nearly impossible to distinguish between jellyfish and floating plastic shopping bags.
Plastic bags can be reused multiple times whereas paper bags cannot be reused. While Paper Bags wouldn't survive the rain, plastic bags would. The Cons of Plastic Bags are that they can contaminate the water with their toxic chemicals. Sea marine animals would be severely injured or killed by plastic.
Gets wet and spilled: Yes, the cloth bags get wet and stained if you put watery vegetables or other such products inside it. You should be careful about choosing the stuff you carry in your cloth bag. All the dry items and groceries are safe to carry.
Mechanical issues: Plastic bags are lightweight and can get caught in recycling machinery, degrading the effectiveness of the sorting process and causing potential breakdowns. This not only disrupts the recycling process but can also be dangerous for workers at recycling facilities.
Standard disposable plastic bags can be reused, but the plastic degrades over time, so they're not a long-term solution. Reusable storage bags are made from food-safe materials like silicone or food-grade PEVA. They're designed to be cleaned in the dishwasher and used countlessly.
Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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