If you are looking for ways to reduce plastic waste in your household, consider reusable grocery bags. You can save money, protect your family from germs, and reduce carbon emissions. Reusable bags will also decrease litter on land and in the ocean.
Reduce litter on land and in the ocean
To reduce litter on land and in the ocean, a simple solution is to use reusable grocery bags. These bags are inexpensive, easy to store, and more environmentally friendly than disposable plastic bags.
Many cities around the world have implemented bans on single-use plastic bags. Plastic shopping bags have contributed to huge amounts of plastic debris in the North Pacific Ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is estimated to be as large as the continental United States.
Plastic trash in the ocean churns into a giant garbage soup. Smaller pieces of plastic can cause havoc, and animals may ingest the debris. In addition, plastic debris contains toxic additives that can enter the food chain.
There are other ways to reduce the amount of plastic that flows into the ocean. For example, the Clean Seas pledge encourages individuals to participate in beach clean-ups.
There are also efforts to curb the use of plastic bags by promoting reusable alternatives. Some companies in Africa and Asia have already started a plastic bag tax or ban.
Cut down on carbon emissions
Reusable grocery bags like reusable grocery bags New York are a great way to cut down on carbon emissions. They are also great for saving money, helping the environment, and stopping litter. Considering that one billion disposable plastic bags are used in America each year, it’s easy to see how these simple measures can be helpful.
If you’re looking to make an eco-friendly lifestyle change, the best way to do it is by looking at your habits. Do you use a plastic bag while grocery shopping? Or do you reuse a paper bag?
A 2012 study looked at three different types of reusable grocery bags. The study found that a non-woven polypropylene bag had the least carbon footprint.
This isn’t to say that a paper bag isn’t a great option. Paper is easily recycled and biodegradable, but it requires more water and energy than plastic.
However, a plastic grocery bag is far more durable and can withstand moderate heat and cold. You can recycle your plastic bags at home or in your community’s composting program.
Prevent the spread of germs
Using reusable grocery bags is a convenient way to keep your groceries in one place. However, it would help if you kept them clean to prevent the spread of germs. They can carry harmful bacteria, fungi, and mold.
Reusable bags should be cleaned before each use and not put on the kitchen counter or other surfaces that may be contaminated. They also should be stored in a dry, calm, and safe place. You can clean them with disinfectant soap or hospital-grade disinfectant.
When storing a reusable bag, it’s essential to avoid putting it in a car trunk, where the temperature can be warm and humid. This is where bacteria can multiply.
Bacteria can grow quickly on reusable bags and can be transferred to food. If you store raw meat in your reusable bag, it’s possible that it can cross-contaminate other foods. You should always put raw meat in a disposable plastic bag to prevent this.
A reusable bag can carry viruses, such as norovirus, a common cause of gastroenteritis. Norovirus is carried on people’s hands and in shopping carts.
Save money
One way to save money is to use reusable grocery bags. They are cheaper than disposable plastic bags and reduce the pollution caused by plastic shopping bags. In addition, many stores are offering reusable bag discounts.
Reusable bags are easy to carry and can be stored in the kitchen, pantry, or garage. Because they are reusable, they are also durable and likely to survive your trip to the grocery store.
A family of four uses about 60 plastic bags during four trips to the grocery store. That’s about one bag a week, or 260 a year. Using reusable bags can save you about $75.
In the past, many supermarkets offered discounts for bringing your bags. Whole Foods, for example, was the most generous. It would donate a cumulative value to a charitable cause for every bag brought.
While these stores still offer discounts for reusable bags, most stores now charge for these. Most stores in the US charge five cents for each bag.