Kicking the Habit: Plastic Bags
Plastic shopping bags have become the bane of my existence. They are ubiquitous, everywhere you look. My work takes me far out into the desert, away from towns and people, and plastic shopping bags are far and away the most common source of trash. I've even seen cactus wren and packrats incorporating them into their nests! This madness must end!
Its become something of a crusade of mine to eliminate plastic shopping bags from my life. The first and most important way to crush the scourge of the plastic bags is to bring your own bags. Canvas bags of all sizes, colors, and configurations are available commercially, and at your local thrift store. There are also convenient folding models available that will stash very small somewhere. Many people attempt to sew their own, which would be a good way of ensuring humane labor (your own), and sustainable fabrics.
It's vital to keep a supply of durable bags in the car– it is even more vital to remember to bring them into the store, however! And furthermore, because you will inevitably forget to bring them in, you must have a willingness to run out to your car to fetch the bags before (or after) checking out.
Sometimes, for whatever reason, I don't have my canvas bags around. These times are when one must be the most vigilant. The people dispensing plastic bags at stores are truly passionate about their cause. They really want you to take home your goods in a plastic bag! "Oh, no bag please," you'll say at first. Then you'll see them reach for a bag anyway. "Please, I don't want any plastic bags," you must insist. And then finally, when they make that last deseperate attempt to foist a bag upon you, you must grab your items and walk away. Quizzical looks inevitably will follow, but you can walk proud in the knowledge that you just introduced one fewer plastic shopping bag into our world.
One final note: when you do get broadsided with a plastic bag affront, and you end up with them in your home, do not fret. They can easily fill a number of uses. We've ceased purchasing any garbage bags, just using plastic shopping bags now. I wrap my home-made bread in them (which is nice because it lets the bread breathe), pack my lunches in them, even use them as a cutting board in a pinch. I keep a small stash of them in my car to reuse them, and also to collect garbage.
We must end the tyranny of plastic shopping bags in our world– if we don't use them or accept them, they will no longer exist!
external link: Stop Plastic Bags
Tags: Consumer Products, Culture, green+living, plastic+bags
February 8th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
I love my hemp canvas bag made by Of the Earth. I have quite a collection of bags and stash some in the car, some in the bike trailer, and some at home just so I can be sure to always have one on hand.
Another idea for re-using plastic bags is for picking up dog poop (ok, kinda gross, sorry). Most of the parks in my area have plastic bag dispensers where members of the community can desposit used plastic bags so that dog owners can clean up after their dogs and help keep the park free of dangerous poop piles. I try to use the biodegradable plastic produce bags from my local Co-op for picking up my dog's poop. I think the bags are made from cornstarch, so they'll biodegrade along with the poop that's in them. Viva la stop plastic bags revolution!
~Megan Prusynski
my site | volksvegan adventures | unplug
February 9th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Great post -
We made the decision to eliminate plastic bags from our lives a few years ago and could not be happier. We found that the key to making the switch is finding a reusable bag that you'll want to use and reuse.
Whether its organic cotton, hemp, or made of one of the many recycled fibers out there you've got to pick something that functions well, looks great and holds up to daily wear and tear. Even synthetic bags have their place as long as you use it and reuse it as a means of consuming less throwaway plastic (and paper) bags. It doesn't make any sense to have a "natural fiber" bag that sits in a closet unused if you find it more convenient to use a lightweight compact nylon bag that fits in your purse. Right?
Some friends of ours told us about a website devoted to the issue - reusablebags.com. We've gotten almost all of our bags from them and they also have tons of info on the subject, including some startling facts on consumption. They've got lots of different reusable bags and other cool stuff along with product reviews - check 'em out!
February 11th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Even after eliminating the plastic grocery bag from my life, I still end up using plastic produce bags for broccoli, apples, etc. Fortunately, the bags at my local coop are sturdy enough to wash and reuse several times (the coop also sterilizes used yogurt containers for reuse and most of my bulk food goes in those - they can be recycled indefinitely).
My friends and I have gone through some interesting experimentation with drying produce bags after washing them for reuse. Our current model is a small clothesline hanging in the corner of the kitchen. The problem with this is that they don't air out very well and have to be turned inside out at some point to completely dry. The best invention I've seen was a block of wood that had holes drilled into it. Very thin bamboo poles about 6-inches long each were wedged into the holes, making a sort of wooden pincushion. Bags draped and spread out over this contraption dry very well, and it makes washing and reusing bags a breeze!
March 1st, 2007 at 4:15 pm
I just stumbled across this website, entirely devoted to the cause:
http://www.reusablebags.com/
Also, I once had a sewing pattern for a packable tote bag. If I find it, I’ll post it here.
March 7th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
thanks for that link– what a GREAT resource!
March 9th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Check this website out too - www.morsbags.com - also entirely dedicated to this cause and provides an immediate solution if we all join in and spread the word - sociable guerilla bagging!
April 19th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
I am an arab student in the US, being new here people are surprised when i decline a plastic bag. I bought a fiber bag that i take with me everywhere when i shop. However, i noticed lately how people take this situation, they either look at me in a skeptical weird way, or huff their way into figuring out how to bag all my stuff neatly (although i keep stressing that i don’t mind)!. So i made a small figurine out of wise and left-over wool of a man smiling, it seems to distract them a little. I also walk almost to everywhere, and recycle and pick up other people trash when its been there for days without notice.. It shocks me how alot of people confirm awareness of environmental issues and apply them in their homes, but when it comes to the over-all environment we share with other life forms.. they are completely obliviant!!.