Are reusable grocery bags good or bad for the environment?

For every news article that tells us ‘Reusable bags are better for the environment’ there seems to be another one saying ‘Reusable bags are not really eco-friendly’.

The arguments for and against the environmental sustainability of reusable shopping bags can be confusing, so what’s the truth?

WHY DO WE NEED REUSABLE BAGS?

Our ever-increasing use of disposable plastic bags is causing problems around the world, including environmental damage, climate change and pollution, damage to wildlife and natural habitats, and harm to human health.

Reusable bags can help solve these problems by reducing the number of single-use plastic bags manufactured and discarded every day.

WHAT IMPACT DO REUSABLE GROCERY BAGS HAVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT?

There is a wide range of reusable bags available today; some are better for the environment than others due to the materials used, manufacturing processes and end-of-life disposal.

All bags – including those sold as ‘eco-friendly’ – have some environmental impact. Reusable bags are generally stronger and heavier. It takes more resources to make them, resulting in a larger environmental footprint.

However, they can be used hundreds of times which makes them more environmentally friendly in the long run.

The impact of a reusable grocery bag on the environment depends on:

1. How it’s made
2. How it’s used

Here’s what you need to know about how bags are made: 

Natural fabric bags

Some natural-fibre bags such as cotton and canvas have a significant impact on the environment due to the way the crops are grown and processed.

While cotton is a renewable material, its production requires large quantities of water, pesticides, energy and fertilizers.

If you are interested in buying a cotton tote and want to keep your environmental impact as low as possible… Choose organic and recycled cotton, or calico, an unbleached cotton material that undergoes less processing.

Hemp and jute (also called hessian or burlap) need less pesticide and fertilizer than cotton, but still use a significant amount of water in cultivation.

Plastic reusable bags

Many different types of plastic can be used to make reusable bags. As plastic is a non-renewable source and the manufacturing process contributes to climate change, they have a large environmental footprint.

Reusable bags made from recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) are a more eco-friendly choice.  Made from recycled plastic bottles, PET fabric has an almost 90% lower carbon footprint than nylon, and 75% lower than polyester.

To give them added strength and durability, however, reusable bags are often manufactured using more than one material. This can make them harder to recycle, which increases their environmental impact as they must be incinerated or sent to landfill.

Key Takeaway: Reusable grocery bags made from recycled materials are significantly more environmentally friendly than similar bags made from virgin plastic materials.

Considering all the negatives, how can a reusable bag be more eco-friendly than a disposable plastic bag?

It’s all about how often you use it.

Here’s what you need to know about how bags are used:

When are reusable bags more eco-friendly than single use plastic bags?

The more you use them the more eco-friendly they become…

A UK study concluded that whatever type of bag is used, the key to reducing the impact is to reuse it as many times as possible.

Studies have shown that conventional disposable bags have a lower environmental impact than reusable bags if you compare them for a single use.

As you use a reusable bag over and over, it becomes more environmentally friendly than disposable bags.

The minimum number of times each bag must be reused in order to be more environmentally friendly than a single use disposable bag varies:

• Cotton tote bag – 173 times
• Typical fold up reusable bag – non-woven polypropylene (PP) – 14 times
• Paper bag – 4 times
• Recycled plastic bag – 2 times or less

Get the full breakdown here: Disposable vs Reusable: Environmental Impact Evaluation

Reusing the bags at least this number of times ensures that they have a lower global warming potential and are more eco-friendly than conventional disposable HDPE bags you get at checkout.

Do reusable bags really reduce my environmental footprint?

Yes, absolutely – but only if you use them again and again.

In terms of sustainability, reusable bags are just like many other products that we buy. Whether we buy clothes or shoes, furniture or food, it’s more eco-friendly if we use it to its fullest potential.

Throwing away unused or under-utilized items is a waste of resources, so don’t just buy a reusable bag – use it, reuse it… then use it some more. 

Learn more about the plastic problem and how we can solve it:

The Problem with Plastic

Solving The Plastic Problem

Find A Solution

Second Life Tote: More sustainable on 1st use. Made from recycled plastic, this tote has the lowest breakeven point of any bag on the market. Check it out >>

The Daily – Pack Down: Goes with you anywhere – designed to be used daily – hundreds of times. Never forget your reusable again. Check it out >>

Produce Reusables: Don’t forget about your veggies. Plastic produce bags are so unnecessary. Replace them with a simple and reusable alternative. Check it out >>

Use less. Recycle more. Buy this. Don’t support that.

When talking about pollution, especially plastic pollution, the conversation often targets individual action. The choice, and therefore responsibility, always seems to lie with the individual.

And while these shifts in personal choices are by no means futile, it is also imperative that we look to our governments to develop legislation as well. The decline in environmental health due to plastic pollution is not just an individual or community problem, but a global one. And therefore, it demands influence from a wide range of sources, including our governments.

“We have to abandon the conceit that isolated personal actions are going to solve this crisis. Our policies have to shift.” – Al Gore

There are several water pollution issues that countries around the world have begun to effectively regulate through policy and legislation. For example, the Clean Water Act was first passed in 1972 in the United States in order to regulate water quality standards.

This established pollution control regarding point source discharge, non-point discharge, wastewater standards, and contaminants for lakes, rivers, streams, and coastlines. The European Council established it’s first Environmental Action Program (EAP) in 1973. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act in India was first introduced in 1974 to provide the prevention and control of water pollution.

These laws became the foundation for pollution regulation and policy control of businesses, fisheries, agriculture, and public wastewater treatment plants.

These same policy concepts can be applied to the plastic pollution problem as well. By enforcing this legislation, governments are doing two things: forcing businesses to adapt to a new standard and promoting a cultural shift in material usage. Through taxation, permit markets, deposit-refund systems, etc., the government develops a shift in how businesses and society manage plastic pollution on a large scale.

Environmental Policy

Law and regulation surrounding environmental pollution have been successful in the past to correct human error that is otherwise toxic to the environment, such as industrial water and air pollution. Now, environmental policy is beginning to foster the same regulation on plastics.

There are several types of policy control that are either currently in place or in process of being introduced. This ranges from taxation, to deposit-refund systems, to outright banning manufacture of certain plastics.

Plastic Bag Laws

For example, several countries have now banned the production and sale of single-use plastic bags. Countries like Bangladesh, the Phillippines, Cameroon, China, Brazil, and 16 African countries have banned the production of thin or ultralight plastic bags.

In Europe plastic bag taxes have been implemented in Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Austria, The UK, and the Netherlands. The taxes in Ireland are recorded to have cut single-use plastic bag use by 95% and Europe has seen an overall reduction in plastic bag ocean pollution since 2010.   

In the U.S., over 150 cities have enacted plastic bag bans or fees.

Around 1 trillion plastic bags are produced each year and are among the 12 items most commonly found in coastal cleanups. Bans such as these not only limit the manufacture of plastic bags, but also force society to find alternatives. In places where plastic bags are banned or taxed, it becomes a lot easier and cheaper to use alternatives such as cotton or jute bags.

Reduction of Plastic Packaging

Styrofoam has managed to infiltrate a wide variety of products and packaging, despite it’s inability to biodegrade. Because of this, over 100 cities in the U.S. have managed to ban Styrofoam in public facilities and/or businesses. Other countries, such as Zimbabwe and Taiwan, have also enacted measures to reduce the use of Styrofoam packaging.

Britain has gone even one step further by encouraging all major supermarkets to ban unnecessary single-use plastic packaging by 2025 and is considering a plastic tax for single-use plastic items. This could include disposable coffee cups, takeaway boxes, and polystyrene packaging. 

Microbead Regulation

Canada was the first country to sign a nationwide ban on microbeads in personal care products in July of 2015. Later that year, California signed a ban on microbeads without loopholes, or certain product regulations and the Microbead-Free Waters Act was passed in the United States. 

Between 2016 and 2017, several countries in the EU, Australia, and New Zealand either banned, or introduced legislation to ban some form of microbeads. And Taiwan’s ban on cosmetic microplastics will go into effect in July 2018.

However, the banning of microbeads in cosmetics only accounts for about 2% of plastics in cosmetics and is a relatively small amount in terms of microplastics. While the regulation of microbeads globally is an important feat, there is still much to be done in the way of microplastics.

Legislative Flaws

As pointed out by the BBC, in correlation to the banning of microbeads in various countries, still 130,000 tons of microplastics from buildings and 80,000 tons from road paint will end up in the ocean each year.

Though an extremely drastic comparison, this is an example of the disparities in environmental policy and legislation. Yes, each and every one of these laws on plastic pollution reduction is a major step forward in the fight to remove plastics from the ocean and our natural environments. However, proper legislation is often slow to come to fruition, especially regarding environmental concerns.

Many countries have recently made sweeping declarations to reduce plastic waste, but are slow moving in regards to actual, physical laws that demand a change. There are many pitfalls as to why this occurs, but one of the major ones is the lobby of special interest groups.  

Take plastic bag bans, for example. Many countries and cities have successfully banned or taxed some form of single-use plastic bags. Many, though, only address certain types of plastic and in countries like China, the ban is hard to enforce. Or, on the opposite end entirely, there are places like Michigan that have actually passed bans on plastic bag ban legislation.

That’s right. A ban on plastic bag bans. But Michigan isn’t the only one and, unfortunately,  this isn’t the only case of special interest groups lobbying for a less than environmentally-friendly outcome.

But when it comes to legislation, some is better than none, and while it may not be completely favorable, it is considerably more effective when combined with other plastic pollution solutions like innovative, alternative products, reduction of consumption, and global clean up efforts. 

How Can I Contribute?

Legislation may often seem complicated and overwhelming, but there are many things that you can do as an individual to help promote legislation against plastic pollution. Dive in and get involved in politics through manageable recourse such as: 

1) Write your local representative. Tell those who represent you how you would like them to vote when it comes to bans, taxes, and plastics management. 

2) Looking to make even more noise? Support lobbyists who share your goals. Successful lobbyists don’t always have to be part of big business. Check out the organizations listed below and see how they’re making a difference legislatively. 

Environmental Defense Fund

The Sierra Club

The Ocean Conservancy

Earth Justice

Oceana

3) Sign petitions. Many cities, states, and countries are working right now to get plastic legislation on the ballot. Signing petitions is the first step to gain legislative footing on plastic pollution. 

4) Educate others. Start the conversation and help others become more aware of the environmental pressures of plastic and what other countries are doing to change it.

Find A Solution

Second Life Tote: More sustainable on 1st use. Made from recycled plastic, this tote has the lowest breakeven point of any bag on the market. Check it out >>

The Daily – Pack Down: Goes with you anywhere – designed to be used daily – hundreds of times. Never forget your reusable again. Check it out >>

Produce Reusables: Don’t forget about your veggies. Plastic produce bags are so unnecessary. Replace them with a simple and reusable alternative. Check it out >>

PLASTIC’S CONTRIBUTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

The problem with plastic isn’t only about the visible pollution that’s evident everywhere we look today.

Plastics also make a significant – and growing – contribution to man-made climate change.

How do plastics contribute to climate change?

All plastic is made from carbon, but while biopolymers or bioplastics use carbon derived from natural materials, man-made plastic uses carbon derived from oil.

Most plastics are produced by a process of ‘cracking’ and refining crude oil, natural gas and other petroleum products, otherwise known as fossil feedstock. The feedstock is broken down into various constituent hydrocarbons such as ethylene, propylene and styrene. These are further processed to make plastic pellets known as ‘nurdles’, ready to be extruded or molded into a wide range of plastic products.

The processes used to extract the oil or gas from the ground use huge quantities of fossil fuel energy, releasing greenhouse gases and other pollutants into the air. More energy is used to transport the raw materials to manufacturing facilities, and subsequently to produce, transport and dispose of the end products.

The entire process is fuel intensive and carbon heavy; around 4% of current global oil consumption is turned into plastic, and another 4% is used to power plastic manufacturing processes[i], emitting many billions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year. The process of making each kilogram of virgin plastic releases 2-3kg of carbon dioxide.

Trucost, a research arm of the financial-information provider Standard & Poor’s, has put the overall social and environmental cost of plastic pollution at $139bn a year, half of which arises from the climate effects of greenhouse-gas emissions linked to producing and transporting plastic.

What types of plastics are causing the biggest problem?

Although there are many types of plastic, the five most common make up around 85% of the world’s plastic consumption by weight. These five plastics are:

• Polyethylene (32% of global demand)
• Polypropylene (23%);
• Polyvinyl chloride or PVC (16%)
• Polystyrene (7%)
• Polyethylene terephthalate or PET (7%)

Propylene is the primary feedstock for polypropylene; ethylene is the primary feedstock for the other four[ii] – but all are derived from fossil fuels.

We shouldn’t forget that it’s not just production of plastics that accelerate climate change; a large proportion of the waste plastic that is thrown away is incinerated (around 36% in Europe[iii]).

Where this takes place in an energy-from-waste plant, it can be argued that it is a form of renewable energy and more sustainable than some other energy sources. This type of combustion does, however, still emit carbon dioxide (and other airborne pollutants) and contributes towards global warming.

How much of a problem is this for the climate?

Plastics can be made from other raw materials including biomass in the form of starch, cellulose, sugars, organic waste and vegetable oils. In fact, the very first plastics were made well before oil was used as a feedstock.

However, the convenience of hydrocarbon cracking and availability of oil means that today, more than 99% of plastics are produced from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels[iv].

And the problem is likely to get worse. The availability of cheap shale gas in the US is driving new investments in plastics manufacturing facilities, with 264 new or expanded factories planned in the US alone[v].  

In just five years’ time, these developments could increase global plastics production capacity by one third, locking-in manufacturers to produce ever greater volumes of plastics for years to come.

The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2050, plastics will be responsible for nearly 15% of global carbon emissions, making it a bigger climate polluter than aviation, which is currently accountable for 12% of global carbon emissions.

Should be concerned for the future?

At a time when the world’s nations are attempting to cut harmful greenhouse gas emissions, the continued increase in the use of fossil fuels in the plastics industry is unsustainable.

To limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, in accordance with the 2015 Paris Agreement, we need to reduce the amount of fossil fuels used to produce single-use, disposable plastic, in particular.

If we fail to achieve the Paris goals, we face the consequences of catastrophic climate change; is our addiction to plastic really worth the risk?

Ways To Reduce Your Plastic Use

We are beginning to see more and more media coverage on the impact of plastics on the environment. And once you begin to look around, there seems to be plastic everywhere you look: your bathroom, your grocery store, your favorite restaurant.

It can be overwhelming to try to think of a plastic free world.

However, there are many steps you can take to start to reduce your plastic use in many areas. This is a list of 25 different ways you can reduce plastic use in your everyday life.

Glass, Ceramic, and Other Alternative Materials

1. Use a reusable water bottle. In the United States alone, Americans used 50 billion plastic water bottles. The demand for plastic water bottles in the US requires about 17 million barrels of oil and enough energy to power 190,000 homes. There are numerous benefits to using a reusable water bottle, instead of purchasing a disposable one every time.
2. Invest in a reusable shopping bag. There are many options out there for reusable bags, so it’s easy to find one that suits your needs. Using a reusable shopping bag made of cotton, jute, linen, or even durable plastic eliminates the need for disposable plastic bags at the grocery store, at your favorite retailer, and even when eating out.
3. Use reusable a coffee cup. While many coffee cups seem to be made out of paper, they are actually lined in plastic in order to properly hold that frothy cappuccino. Start bringing your own coffee cup to your favorite coffee shop on the way to work, or request a ceramic cup if dining in, to reduce the amount of to-go coffee cups making their way to the landfill each day.
4. Use mesh produce bags. Its seems like it’s nearly impossible to avoid plastic in the produce aisle. Fruits and veggies are actually coming pre-cut and pre-packaged these days! An easy way to reduce your plastic use on your next grocery trip is to buy whole fruits and vegetables and carry them in a reusable mesh produce bag.
5. Line small trash bins with paper bags. Instead of small plastic bags, use paper grocery bags to line your bins if you happen to have them.
6. Use matches or refillable lighters. Disposable plastic lighters are a major source of unnecessary waste that ends up in landfills, on beaches, and hardly ever recycled. Start using matches instead, or invest in a refillable lighter to avoid throwing away your next dud Bic.

At the Grocery Store

1. Return plastic packages back to grocer. When it comes to berries, tomatoes, and other certain fruits and veggies, they’re almost always packaged in small plastic containers. Ask your local grocer if it’s possible to return these packages so they can be recycled or reused.
2. Buy dried goods in bulk. Another way to reduce your plastic use in the grocery store is to buy dried goods in the bulk section. The bulk section is not only more eco-friendly, but also cheaper. Instead of buying rice, nuts, and cereal in plastic, bring your own reusable container to the bulk section and save some money while your at it!
3. Buy eggs in cardboard containers, not Styrofoam. Eggs are now being sold in Styrofoam cartons instead of cardboard. If you have the choice between the two, always choose cardboard. Styrofoam is not biodegradable and stays in the environment for up to one million years.
4. Avoid chewing gum. Chewing gum is actually made of synthetic rubber, which is a fancy word for plastic. While chewing gum used to be made from a certain tree sap, it’s now made with fillers, emulsifiers, and polyvinyl acetate, a thermoplastic. Ditch the gum for a mint or other alternatives to avoid chewing on plastic next time!
5. Buy fresh, not frozen. Buying frozen foods and produce uses a lot of unnecessary plastic packaging. Even the frozen pizza boxes that seem to be made of cardboard are actually lined with plastic. By avoiding the frozen foods section and buying fresh, you are cutting out the plastic packaging used to preserve such options.
6. Buy local. Always buy local when possible. Start shopping at your local farmers market, soap shop, or grocer. Not only are you directly supporting those in your community, you are more often than not avoiding unnecessary plastic packaging with their products and reducing the transportation cost of goods.

Take Out, Dining Out, and Storing Food

1. Bring your own container. Going out to eat? Bring your own container with you to store possible leftovers. Over 120,000 of plastic and foam take out containers combined were found in beach cleanups last year. Prepare beforehand and bring your own next time you go out to eat.
2. Avoid plastic cutlery when eating out. If you know you are heading straight home with your carry out, decline the option for plastic cutlery and use your own. Or, if you eat on the go frequently, invest in reusable cutlery to carry with you.
3. Stop using plastic straws. A simple and easy way to reduce your plastic use is to say no to plastic straws when dining out. Many companies are beginning to make this transition themselves, including Starbucks and McDonalds. If you’re one to hesitate to give up that sweet satisfaction of sipping up that delicious drink, consider investing in a metal or durable plastic straw that is reusable.
4. Use glass food storage containers. We all know it’s easy to get carried away with plastic Tupperware (and somehow you can never find the proper fitting lid to any of them!) So next time you are looking to purchase storage containers for your leftovers, try buying glass containers. They’re both better for your health (BPA free) and better for the environment.

Home Goods, Cleaners, and Toiletries

1. Buy boxes, not bottles. Many household items, like detergent and cleaning products are offered in both plastic bottles and cardboard boxes. Choose the boxed option! Or, if you’d like to transition to more eco-friendly products overall, start making your own! Other eco-friendly options include shampoo bars and plastic-free toothpaste.
2. Seek out refill stations. It is becoming more and more common to find refill stations for common household products and soaps. Try to find a refill station near you for soap, detergent, and other hygiene products and skip the next plastic bottle purchase.
3. Avoid plastic clothes hangers and hampers. Another item we don’t normally think about is the plastic hanger. Try using wire hangers or even wooden hangers next time you run out. You can also find hampers made of various other materials including metal, cotton, wood, and wicker.
4. Avoid clothing made of synthetic materials. While we’re on the topic of wardrobe options, try to avoid clothing made of synthetic fibers. Material such as lycra, polyester, nylon, and spandex actually contain polymers (plastic) and chemicals that eventually enter the environment and ocean when discarded. Look for clothing made of natural materials instead, such as cotton, linen, and wool.
5. Stop using disposable razors. The EPA has estimated that 2 billion disposable razors are bought and used each year. Instead of disposable razors, purchase reusable razors with disposable heads, or a safety razor.
6. Buy sustainable toothbrushes. Another bathroom product people usually glance over is their toothbrush. Most common use toothbrushes are made of plastic and thrown away. Try to recycle your plastic toothbrushes and purchase a more eco-friendly alternative, such as wooden or bamboo toothbrushes.
7. Use cloth diapers. Instead of using disposable diapers, which contribute to 5. millions tons of waste each year, try using cloth diapers.
8. Use sustainable menstrual products. Conventional pads and tampons are now commonly made with plastic and synthetic fibers, instead of the cotton they used to be made with. This is not only harmful for the environment, but also uncomfortable and toxic for the body. There are many natural options out there for women that are both eco-friendly and better for your body, including silicone menstrual cups and organic cotton pads and tampons.
9. Avoid microbeads. Microbeads are actually just small (less than 1 millimeter) pieces of plastic that are added to common hygiene products. While many countries are in the process of banning them due to their easy access to lakes, rivers, and oceans, it is best to avoid those that continue to linger.

This list is a comprehensive list meant to provide a variety of options to easily eliminate unnecessary plastics from your life. There are also many books available that provide a more in-depth look at how you can create a plastic-free lifestyle. Some great options include Life Without Plastic by Chantal Plamondon and Jay Sinha, Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson, and Plastic Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too by Beth Terry.

Regardless of if you find two or three of these achievable this year, all of these, or kick start your research into a plastic free life, realize that reducing your plastic use is not only achievable, but can be easy in manageable steps. Once you begin to eliminate plastics from your life, you’ll begin to see other ways to reduce your impact on the environment; slowly lifting the burden of plastic pollution one item at a time.