How to Reduce Plastic Bag Use

How to Reduce Plastic Bag Use

Millions of plastic bags are currently sitting in landfills and garbage cans in the U.S. and abroad. Not only does it take a plastic bag years to decompose, but bags that don’t make it to the landfill get caught in drains, in the ocean or around animals’ bodies. There are so many ways to reduce plastic bag use; here are some easy tips to get you started.

Buy a reusable fabric bag. Bags made from different kinds of fabrics, such as canvas or cotton, can be used repeatedly and are usually washable. Most grocery stores and retailers are happy to have customers use non-plastic bags.

Ask for paper at the grocery when the check-out clerk asks you that age old question, “Paper or plastic?” Although it’s best to use a fabric bag, paper is recyclable and most plastics are not. Plastics take much longer to decompose.

Reuse plastic bags in creative ways. Search the Internet for helpful ideas. For example, plastic bags can be used to stuff a giant pet pillow, to line paint trays or the baseboards when painting a room, or they can be stored in the car for wet clothes and shoes. There’s really very little need to get more bags because the opportunities to reuse the ones you have are endless.

Encourage your local stores to charge for plastic bags. Some retailers have started requiring patrons to pay for a plastic bag just as they would pay for any other item in the store. Most people would rather carry their newly purchased belongings by hand than shell out 59 cents for a bag.

Fill a bag until it’s ready to burst. Place as many items as possible in one plastic bag and you’ll find it easy to reduce waste. Check-out clerks are notorious for putting only a couple of items in each bag. Help them out by bagging items yourself. Even if you are unable to stop using plastic bags completely, the reduction is a significant step forward.

Obtain biodegradable plastic bags. Pet stores, pet shelters, environmental protection agencies and chambers of commerce often provide biodegradable plastic for everyday use. Some bags decompose in around 15 days. Do a little research to find out if there are places in your city that provide this option.