Exciting Green Garbage Bags!

Ok, I know, I’m a big old liar with that title up there. Garbage bags, in fact, are not exactly exciting BUT they are an important consideration in any green household.

Plastic trash bags pose numerous threats to the environment. From the resources used to create the bags (energy, chemicals, and oil) to the amount of waste the bags create, garbage bags are pretty much an eco-nightmare.

According to Seventh Generation, if each U.S. household replaced just one 20 count box of conventional garbage bags with bags made from recycled materials, we’d save as much as 39,000 barrels of oil, which is enough to heat about 2,,200 homes for a year.  Also, garbage bags are not cool in the landfills. They break down some, but not much, not fast, and not at all if they’re preserved on the bottom.

Better garbage bag choices:

Trash bags are very convenient and most people don’t want to switch their bags out, but you do have a few other options.

Use paper bags: Paper bags biodegrade nicely but they’re not the best for wet trash. A better paper plan is to use a garbage bin sans anything then on trash day pour the trash into a paper bag and toss it in your outdoor bin.

Create less trash: This is your number one best and easiest option. Think about composting, using your disposer, and buying less junk in order to cut down on trash.  Try to avoid buying things in excess packages and also look for packaging that can be recycled vs. tossed. Learn how to do your own green home trash audit.

Go recycled: Recycled plastic bags aren’t perfect, but they’re a better choice than conventional bags. Recycled plastic bags can contain 80% or more recycled plastic, are less polluting to manufacture, and use less petroleum to create.

Where to find recycled plastic trash bags:

• Natural Value Ecosafe Biodegradable & Compostable Bags
• Seventh Generation Recycled Trash Bags
• GreenLine Paper Company – has many to choose from

[image via stock.xchng]