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Some Facts About Bags!
by Jenn A.
A few reasons why reusable bags are better than the alternative.
My first re-usable bags were those string mesh bags that were only available in import stores like Cost Plus and Pier 1 (before they went all chi-chi high end furnitures). Then, I had nylon mesh bags - I still have some of those though some have been stolen. I now have about 16 canvas bags -- I swear they multiply like rabbits when the closet door is closed. The most recent additions are 2 chico bags... enough! No more reusable bags. I can purchase groceries for a camping trip of 20 with the bags I have.
Sadly, that is not the experience of most people. According to an EPA statistic on the Reusable Bags website (http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php?id=4), the U.S. consumes over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps each year.
Here are some more figures:
* Introduced just over 25 years ago, the ugly truth about our plastic bag addiction is that society's consumption rate is now estimated at well over 500,000,000,000 (that's 500 billion) plastic bags annually, or almost 1 million per minute.
* Single-use bags made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are the main culprit. Once brought into existence to tote your purchases, they'll accumulate and persist on our planet for up to 1,000 years.
* Australians alone consume about 6.9 billion plastic bags each year, that's 326 per person. According to Australia's Department of Environment, an estimated 49,600,000 annually end up as litter.
* In 2001, Ireland used 1.2 billion disposable plastic bags, or 316 per person. An extremely successful plastic bag tax, or PlasTax, introduced in 2002 reduced consumption by 90%.
* According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. An estimated 12 million barrels of oil is required to make that many plastic bags.
* Four out of five grocery bags in the US are now plastic.
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Reusable bags are good, but is there such a thing as too many?
I got my first grocery canvas bag about 12 years ago. It was a free gift from the World Wildlife Fund with my annual membership. Since then, I've amassed more reusable grocery bags than I can imagine. One from the Nature Conservancy, a few from trade shows, a bunch from various events, and several others were gifts or gift-with purchases. At one point, my partner and I had more than 20 reusable tote bags. I had bags in my purse, in our car, in two different closets in the house. I felt like I was one of those crazy pack rats, except I was hoarding earth-friendly canvas bags. I thought, this is too much of a good thing. So I pared down my collection, giving some to friends and family and others to Goodwill. Now we have 2 bags for the car, 1 for my purse and 4 for the house. These days, I kindly decline whenever any org/ company/ person offers me a reusable tote bag. After all, they're reusable. And I already have enough.
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I got my first green bags in Ireland 3 years ago. They cost about $1.00 each. I use them nearly every day. At the grocery store they hold the equivalent of 3 plastic grocery bags. They wash well and fold flat for easy storage. I've seen them for sale in the US recently at Whole Foods. A few other stores tried them but then discontinued sales - apparently due to lack of interest. These bags are so much better than the old canvas reusable bags and are made to last for years. The best thing about them is that I no longer have an overflowing drawer of paper and plastic grocery bags!
Renee's keywords: shopping bags
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User Comments:
Candice S. says:
Jenn, Very interesting facts! I doubt that many people associate the plastic bads with barrels of oil. Wonder what it would do to the gas price if that much oil was suddenly available and not being used to make... more »
Candice S. says:
Oops .. I meant plastic bags. Guess it was a Freudian slip! ;o) more »
Jenn A. says:
That's a very interesting idea -- I wonder if we could find any projections. I think it's a great idea to charge a few cents for plastic bags -- in the bay area, many stores give you a few cents redemption for using a... more »