Pros and Cons of Reusable Grocery Bags

What are the pros and cons of reusable grocery bags?

Plastic is threatening many aspects of life these days. With 4.8 to 12.7 million tons of plastic ending up in the world’s oceans each year, and 80% of that coming from the land and coastlines, there’s overwhelming concern about the plastics we use in our every day lives.

So what can you do personally to reduce your plastic use? One of the simplest ways to do so is to invest in reusable grocery bags.

There are many advantages to using reusable grocery bags, and they’re also much more environmentally friendly. Below is a list of comparable advantages to reusable grocery bags. While we definitely recommend investing in one, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making this lifestyle choice.                                                                                                                                  

Advantages of Reusable Bags

Reusable

One of the biggest advantages to using reusable grocery bags is that they’re reusable! You can take them with you every time you go shopping. This means that you are one less person contributing to the 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags being used each year. And because you’ll be toting around your newest reusable bag, rather than all of the plastic bags you receive at the store, you’ll clear up space in your home or car where plastic bags used to reside, and reduce your waste overall.

Environmental Impact

Which brings us to the next advantage: environmental impact. Reusable bags are much better for the environment than single use plastic bags. Plastic grocery bags contribute to the death of one million birds, 100,000 turtles, and other sea animals that ingest plastic each year. And while the environmental cost of production for some reusable materials may be higher than single use HDPE plastics, that difference is counteracted by the amount of uses a reusable bag can have. In only 14 uses a durable polypropylene plastic bag becomes more environmentally friendly than an HDPE bag.  

Money Saving

Reusable grocery bags also have the potential to save you money. Many grocery stores and even many cities and states are starting to charge for plastic bags. Rather than spending an extra couple bucks at the grocery store on disposable bags, reusable bags allow you to save money on each trip. You’re also reducing the amount of money your city spends on waste disposal. Each year, California alone spends $300 million cleaning up coastal litter.

Multipurpose

That compactable bag you bring with you to the grocery store can also carry your work supplies, your laundry, your beach gear, or even the contents of your purse. Reusable bags, unlike plastic grocery bags, are stronger, more durable, and can hold more things. There’s an infinite amount of purposes for your reusable shopping bag aside from the weekly trip to the grocery store. Use it for trips, for storage, or to support your favorite event or brand.

Personal and Creative

Speaking of supporting your favorite brand, reusable bags are also a convenient and useful way to express your creativity. Whether you design your own canvas bag, carry your favorite logo, or merely buy the most visually appealing bag to match your style, reusable bags are a very useful tool. You can even make your own reusable plastic bags, which are not only creative and personal, but also utilize old, used grocery bags in your home.

Disadvantages of Reusable Bags

Bacteria

Many people fail to think about what exactly they’re putting in their bags. We already stated that reusable bags are multipurpose, however many individuals don’t think about the buildup of bacteria from the multitude of things that get put in there. Research has proven that reusable bags eventually build up bacteria, such as coliform bacteria and even E. coli, without proper washing. However, their study also found that a simple hand or machine wash in between uses cleared up any residual bacteria.

Extra Baggage

Yes, single use grocery bags are just plain convenient. There’s no getting around the fact that remembering to bring your own bag to the grocery store is more tedious than just grabbing one while you’re there. However, the more you do, the more of a habit you create, and the easier it becomes. I don’t even think about the compact purple bag that’s stuffed in my purse anymore. The more you use it, the more convenient it becomes, and the less convenient it is to house tens of used plastic bags in your home.

Difficult to Dispose Of

Currently, many reusable bags are made of materials that are hard to dispose of, such as polyester, nylon, or polypropylene. While some recycling facilities do exist for these materials, they are few and far between. Fortunately, most reusable bags are made to last, so you won’t have to worry about disposing of them for some years. And hopefully while you’re getting your uses in, more and more recycling opportunities sprout up for these types of materials. 

While yes, there are certain disadvantages to reusable bags, it seems there are far more advantages. Plastic pollution is quickly becoming one of the most pressing global, environmental, and structural problems to date. If we don’t act now, plastic will continue to infiltrate our oceans, waterways, soil, and food. Reusable bags may be lacking in convenience of single use plastic bags, but they are certainly one of the more simple problems we can stand to reduce merely through more conscious shopping.

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 >>

How do reusable bags help the environment?

It’s common to hear that reusable bags – the ones you can use many times over, for months or even years– are great for the environment because they replace single use plastic bags. But why is this such a good thing?

Why are single use plastic bags a problem?

Many global and local problems are caused by single use plastic bags, including environmental damage, climate change and pollution caused by their manufacture; damage to wildlife and habitats from discarded bags and degraded plastic fragments; and damage to human health caused by the ingestion of chemical compounds found in plastic bags.

You can find more information about these and other problems disposable cause in our article about why we should not use plastic bags.

8 ways reusable bags help the environment

Now that we know single use bags cause so many problems, it’s clear that we need to replace them with less damaging, reusable bags. Here are some of the ways that choosing a reusable bag helps the environment.

#1 Protect wildlife – every disposable plastic bag that ends up in the ocean or countryside is a danger to fish, birds and mammals. Using reusable bags instead could save the lives of more than a million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals every year.

#2 Clean up cities, parks and oceans – because plastic bags are so lightweight, the wind easily blows them out of trashcans, refuse trucks and landfill sites to litter the landscape. If we replace them with reusable bags, our surroundings will gradually become clean and beautiful once again.

#3 Improve our chances of limiting global warming – if we choose reusable bags we can manufacture fewer plastic bags, which will cut carbon dioxide emissions. It may be a small contribution, but we need to do all we can to avoid catastrophic climate change; every little helps.

#4 Increase recycling rates – single use plastic bags are not normally recyclable, but many reusable bags are, so they can be turned back into something useful at the end of their life instead of going to landfill.

#5 Release public money for vital services – the cost of cleaning up plastic litter and sending waste to landfill uses up valuable public funds that could be spent on something more socially useful, such as education or healthcare.

#6 Keep more oil in the ground – since plastic bags are manufactured from oil, choosing not to use them means more fossil fuel can be left in the ground. This not only reduces carbon emissions but means this valuable, non-renewable resource will last longer.

#7 Improve drainage systems – plastic bag litter clogs drains and has caused, or contributed to, major floods around the world. Fewer plastic bags in the environment mean less flooding, less water-borne disease and better sustainability for vulnerable communities.

#8 Support sustainable jobs and economic growth – buying reusable bags made from sustainable crops such as bamboo or jute can help farmers and textile workers to support themselves and their families. In less developed nations, especially, demand for reusable bags can offer a valuable new revenue stream.

Will you help the environment?

You can dramatically reduce your use of plastic and your environmental impact by switching to reusable bags. But do remember that not all reusable bags are the same; some are more environmentally friendly than others.

Find out: Best Alternatives to Disposable Bags

And remember: No matter which you choose, the most important thing about a reusable bag is to keep reusing it! The more times it’s used, the more beneficial it is to the environment.

Legislation Against Plastic Pollution

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 >>

How To: Stop the Use of Plastic Bags

Stopping The Use of Plastic Bags

“Plastic should be a high value material… [It] should be in products that last a long time, and at the end of the life, you recycle it. To take oil or natural gas that took millions of years to produce and then to make a disposable product that lasts minutes or seconds, and then to just discard it–I think that’s not a good way of using this resource.”

 -Robert Haley, Zero Waste Manager for the San Francisco Department of Environment

Up to ten percent of the world’s oil supply is used to make plastic. Yet, instead of treating plastic like the valuable resource that it is, we merely discard it after one single use, and then expect it to be there again when we need it.

We consume an average of 500 billion to 1 trillion bags each year.

And of those bags, very few get recycled — only one in every 200 bags is recycled in the U.S.

Those that are not recycled, or properly disposed of, make their way to the streets, waterways, and oceans. But plastic is not biodegradable. It’s doesn’t even decompose. It merely… degrades. Which means that in addition to disintegrating into smaller and smaller pieces, it also has the potential to leach harmful chemicals into the surrounding environment.

There is hope for us to stop plastic pollution and even reverse the damage that has been done.

What is Being Done About Plastic Pollution?

Communities, businesses, and governments are taking action to stop the use of plastic bags.

For example, Coles and Woolworths’ in Australia have begun to phase out plastic bags. Tesco, one of Europe’s largest retailers, has stopped selling single use plastic bags. And Aldi, which has offered plastic bags at an added cost for several years now, is now seeking to phase out plastic bags altogether.

According to a report by the U.N. Environment, over 60 countries have also imposed their own bans or taxes on single use plastic bags. This ranges from Denmark’s plastic bag tax introduced back in 2003, to Kenya’s stringent 2017 ban on all plastic carriers in the country, threatening up to $38,000 in fines or four years in jail for offenders.

Over 40 cities have also enacted their own bans or regulations on plastic bags, including Chicago, New York City, Sao Paolo, Buenos Aires, and 24 cities/provinces in the Philippines.

While 50% of the bans and levies across the globe have yet to calculate any impact information, about 30% of the cases have deemed their bans successful in dramatically reducing plastic bag consumption. The other 20% that reported little to no change seem to be having problems with regulation, alternatives, and shift towards thicker plastic bags. 

An essential component to stop the use of plastic bags, though, is the responsibility of the consumer as well.

How You Can Stop the Use of Plastic Bags

The enforcement of government and business policy is imperative in the transition to a more sustainable and plastic free future, but there are also many things that you can do as an individual to shift public consumption patterns.

One: start to reduce the amount of plastic bags that you consume. Only buying one or two things? Carry them out of the store in your hand. Decline the bag.

Two: recycle the plastic bags you do use. While the best option would be to decline a bag altogether, the second best option, when it’s unavoidable, is to recycle the bags you use. 

Three: the most influential decision you can make to reduce your plastic consumption as an individual and as a consumer is to invest in a reusable bag.

Reusable bags have a multitude of benefits and can also double as a conversation starter. While you’re immediately reducing your own consumption of plastic bags with each trip to the grocery store, you can also raise awareness about the plastic pollution problem we’re fighting.

As more and more people begin to bring their own bags shopping with them, it creates social awareness.

On top of that, if you purchase your reusable shopping back from a reputable company, you’re supporting an organization that is actively working to solve one of the world’s most pressing problems.

How We Can Stop the Use of Plastic Bags

Public awareness is a critical piece.

Rising social pressure and public awareness can do wonders in changing the norm, breaking standards, and altering expectations. It is through these means that the campaign against plastic bags has surmounted so much success in consumers, businesses, and governments thus far.

There are a few ways to change norms and drastically shift the perception of single use plastics.

One option is to choose to support sustainable organizations. Shop at stores that charge for bags and support businesses’ choices to ban or tax them.

Another option is to go a step further and promote more public-private partnerships and voluntary agreements in your community and your local municipality. In doing this, you will begin to increase public pressures both in individuals and within larger policy standards.

Another way to do this is to show physical or financial support to organizations looking to facilitate these partnerships. There are several great organizations out there right now that are looking to enact real change both in local communities and across the globe, including:

  • Bye Bye Plastic Bags (BBPB)– A youth-driven movement started by two 10- and 12-year old Indonesian girls in 2013 aiming to ban the use, sale, and production of plastic bags from retailers.
  • Plastic Pollution Coalition– A growing global alliance of individuals, organizations, businesses, and policymakers working toward a world free of plastic pollution.
  • Plastic Oceans Foundation– An organization looking to challenge society’s perception of plastic primarily through film and media awareness campaigns.

The Ocean Cleanup– A non-profit organization developing advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of not just plastic bags, but all plastic pollution. 

The issue of plastic bags is not only large in scale but also in impact. It’s an issue that is shared around the world. In order to stop plastic bag use, we must use all of the resources at our disposal to not only change our consumption of plastic bags, but also to change the social perception of this definite and indestructible material we find so disposable.

The Environmental Impact of Nylon Bags

WHAT IS NYLON?

Nylon is a synthetic fiber with a silky texture, commonly used in outdoor gear such as sleeping bags, tents, rope. Other common uses include umbrellas, clothes, and parachutes.

Nylon was originally created for use as a lightweight material during WWII and was most popularly used in parachutes.

Nylon is lightweight, strong, and dries quickly, which is why it’s commonly used for outdoor gear.

Similar to other plastics, nylon is derived from petroleum.

Nylon has several environmental concerns you should be aware of. But, if used properly it can be a tool to help us be more environmentally friendly during out transition away from single use plastics.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF NYLON BAGS

Nylon is made in a very similar process to polypropylene, another plastic based fabric.

Polypropylene Bag

See the full comparison of plastic bags vs alternatives here: Environmental Breakdown (this breakdown does not include nylon, but does include its close relative polypropylene)

As with all plastic-based fabrics, the majority of the environmental impact is concentrated around three main points:

  1. Resources – They are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource which contributes to global warming and has environmental impacts via extraction.
  2. Energy Use – The process of making this material is relatively energy intensive which contributes to global warming.
  3. Disposal – Being a plastic-based product nylon can be recycled but is not biodegradable, therefore it is a risk to the natural environment if not disposed properly.

Main Considerations for Environmental Impact:

Production – what is the impact of producing one bag?

  • Materials – Originates from petroleum which is a non-renewable resource
  • Energy Input – High energy input requirement (similar to other plastics)

Use – what is the impact of using one bag?

  • Durable – so it usually has a long life
  • No Known Health Implications – Does not have health concerns during use (unlike containers with BPA)

Post Use – what is the impact of disposal?

  • Non-biodegradable – Similar degradability to other plastics
  • Recyclable – Nylon can be recycled or repurposed, but it requires considerable energy

Are nylon bags more environmentally friendly than plastic bags or other types of bags?

Quick Answer:

If used properly a nylon bag is much more environmentally friendly than the most common alternatives: disposable plastic bags, cotton totes, and other types of plastic-based bags.

Detailed Explanation:

Nylon bags are similar in production, use, and post use to polypropylene bags. They generally use less material to be made than polypropylene bags so they may have a slightly lower environmental impact per bag.

The polypropylene bag has a breakeven number of 14 uses. This means that you would need to use the bag 14 times before it becomes more environmentally friendly than using a disposable plastic bag.

We do not have reliable environmental impact report for nylon bags right now. (if you have empirical data that can help us answer this questions please let us know: info@terngoods.com)

Our best estimate is that nylon bags have a breakeven number close to polypropylene bags.

The Tern Pack Down

Version 1 – Our current pack down bag is made from nylon. We are looking into both recycled and reclaimed nylon for our next series which will significantly improve the life cycle impact.

Our bags are made to be durable and be used daily for several years.

Our reason for the pack down: keep this bag with you so you never forget and can always turn down plastic. We hated the feeling when you need to get a few things at the store (too many to carry without a bag) and you’ve forgotten your reusable. Other “colapsable” bags are still too bulky. So we created the Tern pack down which is half the size of most “packable” bags on the market.

If you use your Tern pack down bag…

3 times per week

You will displace over 150 bags in a year!

Whether you use ours or your own, we applaud you. Let us know how many single use plastic bags you’re turning down every week, month, or year!

The Plastic Problem: Global Warming

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?

How to reduce the use of plastic bags

Do you live in an area where plastic bags are taxed or banned?

More than 20 U.S. states and 150+ cities and counties have already banned plastic bags, and a growing number of countries around the world are also banning or taxing their use.

Why is this happening and how can you respond?

Why are plastic bags being banned or taxed?

Around 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide every year, but the average bag is used for just 12 minutes before being thrown away and only one in 200 is recycled. The billions of bags that end up as litter are harmful to wildlife, the natural environment and human health, as well as being very costly to clean up.

To find out more about the damage that plastic bags cause, read our article about the pitfalls of disposable plastic bags.

How can you cut your use of plastic bags?

There are a number of different strategies you can employ to cut down on the number of plastic bags you use and minimize their environmental impact. Which is the most effective?

We’ve ranked the ways of reducing your impact according to the hierarchy of ‘Refuse, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle’.

#1 Refuse plastic, take your own reusable bags

In the U.S., the average family accumulates 15 plastic bags on each trip to the grocery store. If they shop weekly, that’s 780 bags a year! (and some estimates are higher!)

Cut out plastic bags entirely by taking your own reusable shopping bags instead. There’s plenty of choice available; check out the top 8 alternatives here.

Choosing reusable bags can have the most impact of all – but be sure to select the most eco-friendly bag you can find that suits your needs.

#2 Refuse plastic, choose paper bags

Forgotten your reusable bag? If you have the option, choose paper bags rather than plastic to carry home your groceries. Although they take more energy to produce, paper bags can be easily recycled or composted, so they’re much less harmful to the environment after they have served their purpose.

Make sure to dispose of your paper bags carefully though; around 80 percent of all paper bags end up in landfill.

#3 Reuse your ‘single use’ plastic bags

They might be designed to be used just once, but there’s plenty of life left in most plastic bags after you’ve emptied out the groceries. If you find you have accumulated a few plastic bags, simply take them with you next time you visit the store and keep using them until they are no longer fit for the job.

#4 Repurpose your plastic bags

Alternatively, find new uses for your plastic bags: Use them to line the trash can, to pick up after your dog, or even use them as lightweight packaging material in place of bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Each time you reuse a plastic bag – even if it’s for a different purpose – you’re reducing its environmental impact.

#5 Recycle plastic bags

It’s unavoidable; sometimes we all end up with a few plastic bags. When they’ve been used and reused and they’re at the end of their life, the only remaining option is to recycle them.

Most curbside recycling collection systems can’t handle plastic bags, so you might need to take them to a drop-off recycling location instead.  Most large grocery chains, home improvement stores and retailers have plastic bag recycling collection bins, so take them back there to make sure they are processed correctly and don’t end up in landfill.

Refuse plastic – choose your alternative

The best option is always to choose a reusable bag. Make sure you take your time and choose a good bag that will last you. The more times you can use it the more environmentally friendly it will be. 

And remember, if you don’t have your reusable bag with you and you need to use plastic bags, you can minimize the environmental impact by reusing, repurposing and recycling them.

25 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Use

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.

Reducing our Consumption of Plastics

Turning off the faucet…

Plastic production has increased twenty-fold over the last 50 years – Over 300 million tons of plastic is being produced every year. And it’s adding up. Eight million metric tons of that enters the ocean each year.

Our dependency on plastics for their convenience and versatility has grown exponentially. And it is projected to grow still. However, without proper facilities to dispose of all this waste, our exceeding consumption of plastics is guaranteed to create irreparable damage to the oceans, the earth, and possibly our own population. 

There’s been very little action at the global or state level, though, to resolve this problem. So what can you do about it personally? Well, one way to directly counteract the plastic problem is to stop it from the source by reducing your consumption of plastics.

reducing our consumption of plastics

How do my Individual Actions as a Consumer Help?

By using less plastic, even on the individual level, it means that less plastic is being purchased and used. Less plastic being used means that less plastic needs to be made, and therefore more plastic is being prevented from entering the environment to begin with.  

For example, if just one individual starts using a reusable water bottle, an average of 217 plastic water bottles will be saved over the course of one year. Just one individual’s actions have the potential to prevent 217 plastic water bottles from entering landfills and the natural environment.

Not only that, but a reduction in plastic consumption on the individual level has the power to affect the overall demand for plastic products.

All the time, companies are looking to find ways to better cater to consumer needs. One of the most tangible examples of this can be seen in our current food market. The sales growth of organic food has doubled in a matter of four years. Reacting to the demand, more and more food retailers such as Walmart, Costco, and Kroger have made organic food more prevalent and accessible to consumers in their stores.

By choosing not to purchase and use unnecessary plastic items like single-use water bottles, traditional plastic toothbrushes, or say, plastic straws, the demand for such products decreases, which, in turn, decreases production and supply.

As the individual begins to consume less, the manufacture of plastics begins to decrease and there’s potential for massive change on a cultural level.

The less plastic we use in our daily lives, the easier it will be to shift our culture from a single-use frame of mind.

We are already seeing this shift in grocery stores as more and more people are taking action against plastics. Earlier this year, Amsterdam created one of the first plastic-free grocery aisles in direct response to consumers’ demand for less plastic.

How big of a difference will this make though? Can an individual’s actions really add up?

The answer is: Yes.

Just ‘one’ Person

As we go through the day, most people don’t think about exactly how much plastic they consume. It’s just one coffee cup in the morning, one plastic bag of groceries, one night out that required a take-out container. But these things add up, and at the individual level, we consume a lot of plastic.

— The average person in North America or Western Europe consumes 220 kg of plastic per year.

— In the U.S. alone, the average person produces more than 2.5 kg of waste every day.

— Purchasing coffee on the go? One to-go coffee per day creates about 10.5 kg of waste in one year.

— From grocery stores, to clothing stores, to restaurant take-out, plastic bags are used for everything.

— The average person uses 300 single-use plastic bags per year in the U.S.

These numbers add up quickly. But fortunately, that also means that simple changes can make significant changes. So what can you do as an individual to consume less plastic?

Invest in…

A reusable water bottle. By using a reusable water bottle, one individual can save 217 plastic water bottles per year.

A reusable tote. Single use plastic bags have become an overwhelming problem globally. Opt for using a reusable tote at the grocery store or choose paper instead of plastic.

A reusable coffee mug. Reduce the amount of disposable cups you use by simply bringing your own.

Avoid…

Plastic straws. Americans use 500 straws every day. Reduce plastic consumption by merely choosing to drink your beverage without a straw.

Liquid soap. Start using bar soap rather than liquid body soap. Some retailers even carry bar shampoo. 

Packaged produce. Retailers have begun selling produce packaged in plastic. Buy whole, fresh produce instead to avoid plastic packaging.

Opt for…

Products sold in alternative packaging. On average, 31 kg of plastic packaging waste is produced per person per year in the EU. Try to buy goods sold in glass or paper packaging or bulk foods filled in your own containers. 

How Should I go About Reducing my Consumption of Plastic?

There are so many ways to reduce your consumption of plastic in your daily life. Easier said than done though, right? Where do you start?

1) As famously quoted by folk singer and social activist Pete Seeger, “The first step in solving a problem is recognizing that there is one.” One of the most important steps to reducing your plastic consumption is to be aware of how much you consume.

2) Ditch the plastic you can, whenever you can. We are confronted with unnecessary plastics all the time. Once you start to recognize them, it’s easy to opt out or find a different option.

3) Which brings us to the last – finding alternatives. Invest in alternative options like reusable bottles, cups, and bags. Experiment with eco-alternatives, such as bamboo toothbrushes or bar shampoo.

How Can We Reduce Plastic Pollution?

Reducing Plastic Pollution

These days, it seems like plastic is everywhere you look. It’s packaging your food, holding your groceries, conveniently providing water for you, wrapping your uneaten food, filling your bathroom, housing your cleaning products; truly pervading every aspect of daily life.

Yet unlike food, wood, or any other organic materials we use in day to day life, plastic is not biodegradable – meaning it can’t be eaten and decomposed by other organisms. In fact, many plastics aren’t even degradable. And those that are degradable merely break into smaller and smaller pieces, leaching chemicals and toxins into the environment and the organisms around it.

Because it takes even the most easily degradable and common plastics between 10 and 1,000 years to decompose, plastics are building up to an unmanageable amount. We are finding traces of plastic pollution in rivers, oceans, beaches, and even in animals and soils.

It is yet unknown how human consumption of plastic toxins affect our health, but studies have found plastics in our seafood and the domestic animals brought in for slaughter.

Research has also been conducted by clean up crews, such as the Ocean Conservancy, to document the most common culprits of plastic pollution found in the ocean and on beaches. Because of organizations such as this, we are beginning to better understand common pollutants and how to manage them.

The top ten most common plastic items found during the international coastal cleanup this year include (2018):

  • Cigarette butts (2,412,151)
  • Food wrappers (1,739,743)
  • Plastic beverage bottles (1,569,135)
  • Plastic bottle caps (1,091,107)
  • Plastic grocery bags (757,523)
  • Other plastic bags (746,211)
  • Straws (643,562)
  • Plastic take out containers (632,874)
  • Plastic lids (624,878)
  • Styrofoam take out containers (580,570)

Some of the biggest offenders of plastic pollution include plastic bags, take out containers, plastic bottles, straws, and disposable coffee mugs.

What is both unfortunate and hopeful is that almost all the items that make up these lists are single use plastics. These are items that are only used briefly for one purpose before being discarded. Fortunately though, due to their disposable nature, many of these items can not only be replaced, but avoided altogether.

Plastic Bags

On average, a plastic bag is only used for 12 minutes. And because they are so readily available, convenient, and easily discarded, we use on average about 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags a year, worldwide.

However, reducing plastic bag consumption can be simple and fairly easy. There are many things you can do to limit or stop your plastic bag use completely.

  • Decline the option for a plastic bag when your items are easy to carry.
  • Purchase your own reusable bag and bring it with you when you go shopping.
  • Use paper bags instead of plastic when they’re available.
  • Start using reusable produce bags to carry your produce, rather than the thin plastic bags provided.
  • Recycle and reuse the plastic bags that you do acquire.

As you begin to transition to more sustainable options like cotton or jute bags, backpacks, or reusable plastic bags, then your perspective on plastic will shift. Instead of seeing it as an integral part of daily life, you’ll start to see it as superfluous.

Plastic Packaging

Another major offender of plastic pollution is plastic packaging (‘Other Plastic Bags’). This can range from the bags your food is packaged in, the plastic bottles your cleaning products come in, the plastic your clothes or household items are packaged in, and even your bin bags.

There are many ways to avoid this group of plastics. One is to buy in bulk at the grocery store—storing dried goods in glass jars or durable plastic storage, rather than single-use plastic.

There are entire grocery stores being established that are dedicated to plastic-free packaging.

Another is to make your own cleaning products or buy products packaged in cardboard instead of plastic. Using biodegradable bin bags is another more eco-friendly option to replace traditional plastic trash bags. Transitioning to newspaper liners is also an option.

Plastic Straws

The plastic straw movement is gaining momentum around the world and continues to be at the forefront of sustainable transitions. Last year, the Ocean Conservancy found enough straws in their beach clean up to reach the height of over 10,000 palm trees.

McDonald’s announced their transition to paper straws in the UK and Ireland earlier this year. There are many other companies looking to change their policies on plastic straws in the coming years.

One of the easiest ways to reduce plastic straw pollution and to advocate for better options is to simply say no. Whether you’re ordering a cocktail at the bar or an iced coffee at your local Starbucks, decline the option for a straw.

Another way to enact change is to inquire about paper or metal straws at your local eatery. Show your favorite establishments that you’d like to see more sustainable options.

Plastic Beverage Bottles and Disposable Cups

More than 480 billion plastic water bottles were sold in 2016, and this number is expected to grow to 583.3 billion by 2021 if things do not change.

Disposable coffee cups, which are not only lined with plastic and therefore neither recyclable nor biodegradable, use over 20 million trees to meet the need of consumers each year. It is estimated that the US alone uses over 50 billion of these coffee cups each year.

The most economical and sustainable solution to disposable beverage bottles is to switch to a reusable one. Find yourself the perfect reusable water bottle or coffee mug to bring with you in your car, on the way to work, while exercising, or what ever the occasion. 

Another way to reduce plastic water bottles is to reuse or recycle them. While not purchasing one in the first place is the best solution, if the situation cannot be avoided, recycling is the next best option.

Take Out Containers and Packaging

Take out containers also make up a significant portion of plastic pollution. Between plastic and Styrofoam containers, take out packaging is one of the top 10 items that pollute our beaches and waterways. And this does not include the plastic cutlery and/or plastic bags that typically accompany take out orders.

So what can you do to avoid this?

Decline any extra plastic ware with your food – bring your own cutlery, or use your own at home. Another great option is to skip the bag and carry the containers in your hands. Ask your favorite establishment if they can start carrying biodegradable take out containers. And finally, if you’re dining out, bring your own tupperware to place leftovers in!

Take a Stand

Individual actions are critical in the fight against plastic pollution. But individual actions alone will not be enough. It is also important to take a stand and work to effect local and national policy change. The two most important components of policy change include bans and taxes. 

Bans on certain plastics have proven to be some of the most effective plastic pollution management solutions around the world. In California, where a plastic bag ban has been in effect since 2011, there has been an 89 percent reduction in plastic storm drain litter and 59 percent reduction in city streets and neighborhoods.

In Ireland, there has been a 95 percent reduction in plastic litter since their ban in 2002.

In Kenya, where one of the most drastic plastic bag bans went into effect last year, The Guardian reported a reduction in plastic the stomachs of animals for slaughter from 3 in 10 to 1 in 10.

In terms of clean up, plastic pollution is estimated to cost an estimated $13 billion each year, according to the UN Environment Program. When it comes to the natural capital cost of plastic use – including financial impacts from pollution issues – UNEP estimates the cost at $75 billion. This number can be reduced with effective disposal programs and proper plastic waste management, reducing costs to communities and the environment.

There are innumerable ways to reduce the plastic pollution that you create as an individual and to promote change within your community. While plastic pollution may seem like an unattainable problem to tackle, both individual action and the promotion of government and corporate cooperation will begin to curb the growing problem of plastic pollution worldwide.