The whole green-living niche is something that many people want to incorporate into their daily lives but are intimidated by how and where to start. The good news is that you do not have to dive head first into green living and instead can start small, such as using reusable bags. Reusable bags provide a wide array of benefits and you can even purchase custom reusable tote bags if you would like a bit more flare.
Reduce the Use of Nonrenewable Resources
Petroleum – and sometimes, natural gas – is used in the production of plastic bags. In addition, these items are nonrenewable resources, which means they are not readily replaced by natural. When you stop using plastic bags in favor of reusable ones, you will greatly reduce the amount of nonrenewable resources that you have a hand in wasting.
Reduce Landfill Overcrowding
Once it is sitting in a landfill, it could take 1,000 years for one plastic bag to degrade finally. This is because plastic bags are not biodegradable and instead break down into pieces, toxic pieces. This process is known as photodegrade. So even after you have left this world, that plastic bag that you carried your groceries home in will still be around. That is an unnerving thought when you think about. Using reusable bags, however, helps to keep your waste to a minimum, while helping to protect the environment.
Better for the Wildlife
All too often, people merely toss an unwanted plastic bag on the ground. This litter will not only reduce the appearance of the landscape, but it can pose a serious and deadly risk to wildlife. A bird can be trapped in the bag and suffocate. Moreover, suffocation is not a humane way to die. Now do you want that on your conscious? Reusable bags do not pose this same type of hazard and are actually much better for wildlife.
Safe for Marine Life
Every year, plastic bags kill over 100,000 marine animals. Like the birds, the plastic bags can suffocate turtles, fish, water fish and other marine creatures. In fact, reports show that in certain areas, there are about 6 pounds of plastic for every pound of plankton in the ocean. This can have a grave effect on marine wildlife. Reusable bags do not end up in the ocean and are more environmentally friendly then their plastic counterparts.
I use reusable bags when I can. I do reuse any plastic bags that I get as garbage bags and doggy poop bags too. I never just throw a plastic bag away.
Same here. I usually use the store plastic bags as our garbage can liners. We actually bought smaller trash cans so we can make use of those plastic bags.
My local supermarket encourages us to use reusable bags by giving extra discounts on items. I think it is a brilliant idea anyway.
This is a huge help for our environment. I also consider using reuse bags.
So many benefits to using reusable bags. I wish I could remember more often to use them!
I own way too many of these totes, but I have $.5 per bag at Target when I shop and use them instead of the Target bags