Paper or Plastic? Neither!

What's wrong with plastic bags? Lots. Every year, nearly one trillion plastic shopping and grocery bags are used around the world. The vast majority are sent to a landfill. They often wind up as litter. They drift into oceans and rivers and kill fish. They can take 1,000 years to decompose. And every time we use a plastic bag, we drive up the demand for oil - which is used to make plastics.

I guess I'm more "green" than I really knew because all of this truly bothers me. For years, I have had boxes and boxes of plastic bags saved from previous shopping trips. I try to line our smaller trash cans with them, or find other purposes. But still, I end up with far too many plastic baggies just hanging out at my house, waiting to end up in the landfill where they will still be sitting long after my great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren have passed from this earth.

But there is a solution: Reusable bags!

Reusable bags are sold everywhere, and estimates show that during its average five year lifetime, a reusable bag can eliminate the need for at least 100 disposable plastic bags. The bags sold at Walmart (for $1 each) are made from 85-percent-recycled content and hold more than twice the amount of an average plastic bag. At the end of their life-span, Wal-Mart will recycle the bags. (I'm not pushing Walmart bags ... I just know more about these particular bags since this is the brand I purchased. Really, any reusable bag is a better option than plastic or paper.)

I began purchasing my bags this past spring. On each trip to Walmart, I'd buy one or two. Now I have about 20 or so of these bags, which is more than enough to pack up all of my purchases when I go shopping. The Walmart bags that I use really do hold an amazing amount of items. I also have found that the bags stand up better in the back of my vehicle, instead of flopping around all over the place like the plastic ones always did.

It's not too inconvenient at all. I just keep the unused bags stored in the packing area of my minivan. Then whenever I shop (whether it is walmart, the local grocery or some other store), I grab a bag (or two or 20) before heading into the store.
I have to admit that sometimes the checkers don't like me bringing bags for them to use. (Oddly enough, Walmart checkers are the worst.) However, I figure the benefits of using my reusable bags far outweight the glaring stares.

I hope that you will consider doing our earth a favor by saying no to both plastic and paper, and yes to resuable bags. It doesn't matter if you choose the bags Walmart sells or some other resuable bag. Just do it ...