Reusable shopping bags are everywhere. Modestly priced and made of recycled materials, they give today's consumer an alternative to plastic shopping bags. The ones I purchased at my local large discount store were a buck apiece. Each bag is made from approximately 4 recycled plastic soda bottles.
The people of earth are using over 1 million bags a minute according to resusablebags.com, Plastic bags have significant environmental impact due to litter, lack of degradation, and incompatibility with wildlife. Cloth or bags of recycled materials can dramatically reduce the use of plastic bags.
Here are some tips to put those reusable shopping bags to work for you:
- Start small. Buy just one or two bags to see if you can make the move from disposable bags to reusable bags.
- Choose bags that are comfortable. If you like longer handled bags that you can carry shoulder-bag style, look for those. Most have a shorter handle but size does differ. Bag capacity varies. Select bags that will accommodate your shopping needs.
- Go for color and style. Choose bags you enjoy using. Have fun and you will be more likely to consistently use them.
- Consider payback. Some, but not all bags, come with store logos. There may be a rebate, such as a nickel, for every time you use the bag at the originating store.
- Find a handy home for the bags. Where will the bags live in your life? Can they reside on a hook by the door you go out as you go shopping? Will you keep them in your car? Establish rules so these bags can work for you.
- Replace paper gift bags with novel reusable shopping bags. You will cut cost and share your newfound appreciation of reusable shopping bags.
What are your experiences with reusable shopping bags? Let me know by responding to my blog.
Comments