Why use reusable grocery bags

Reusable grocery bags are one of those must-have green items. Billions of plastic grocery bags end up in the landfill each and every year and paper bags aren’t much better for the environment. If your goal is green living, you really only have one solution – not paper or plastic; use a reusable bag each and every time you shop.

ACME Bags – Plastic Bags Blow Dual-Handled Tote via Reusable Bags

Reusable Bags offers the following facts about non-reusable bags…

• According to the EPA, the U.S. uses over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps annually.
• According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually.
• AND that’s just the U.S.
• The bags we use also have a negative environmental Impact
• “Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating discarded plastic bags mistaken for food.“
• When plastic bags break down they don’t technically biodegrade they break into small pieces that can contaminate the water and soil plus animals can ingest the pieces and choke.
• The Center for Marine Conservation reports that plastic bags are among one of the top 12 items found in coastal clean-ups.

Tips for using reusable bags:

Get a lot. Once you start using them, you’ll never want to use plastic again. You need about 7-8 sturdy bags for a cart of groceries. However, get more than you think you need, because you should leave some in your car for when you forget the bags at home.

Get good bags, not store brand bags that will bust up sooner rather than later. See some amazing bag options or read Cute Bag Designs for the Picky if you happen to be, well, picky.

Don’t forget about other reusable bags. For example, don’t use disposable bags for your lunch or your kids lunches. Check out earth friendly lunch boxes.

Do you use reusable bags at the grocery store? How about at other stores.