| Cut down on unnecessary waste and avoid the | | | | recycling is low and the majority of bags are still |
| "paper or plastic" predicament by saying "no" to | | | | produced from new paper. |
| paper and plastic and "yes" to reusable alternatives. | | | | Reusable Bags - Reusable shopping bags are a great |
| Paper and plastic bags have become a convenient | | | | alternative to paper and plastic bags. One high quality |
| habit that is ruining our environment and wasting | | | | reusable bag can replace thousands of paper and |
| precious resources. Why not make the switch to | | | | plastic bags. Switching to reusable bags is a simple |
| reusable bags? Here is a little information about the | | | | change that can minimize the use of natural |
| different bags available today and how they impact | | | | resources, lessen the build up of waste, and slow |
| the environment. | | | | down climate change. If every individual who uses |
| Plastic - Disposable plastic grocery bags are usually | | | | paper or plastic bags switched to quality reusable |
| made from either high-density polyethylene (#2 | | | | shopping totes, the impact on the environment would |
| plastic) or low-density polyethylene (#4 plastic). | | | | be extreme. Replacing your disposable one-use bags |
| These plastics are manufactured from refined | | | | with reusable alternative is a simple step that |
| petroleum and it is estimated that the U.S. uses 12 | | | | everyone can take to ensure a healthier future. |
| millions barrels of oil a year to make the plastic bags | | | | When shopping for reusable bags, make sure you |
| we consume. The biggest issue with these bags, | | | | purchase bags made with high-quality materials. This |
| aside from the fact that they use up natural | | | | will ensure your purchase lasts as long as possible and |
| resources, is that they are predicted to take a | | | | that you get as much use out of your bags as you |
| thousand years or more to breakdown in the | | | | can. It is a great idea to shop around and research |
| environment. The overabundance of these plastic | | | | bags to find out what materials they are made of, |
| bags must go somewhere. Some are recycled, but | | | | how they are produced, if they are recyclable, where |
| the majority of these one-use bags are padding the | | | | they are made, and so on. Select bags you will feel |
| landfills, clogging the waterways and choking the | | | | good about using and choose the right sizes to fit |
| environment with needless garbage. | | | | your needs. These bags will be around for awhile, so |
| Paper - Disposable paper bags usually do not get the | | | | make sure to do your homework so your reusable |
| bad rap associated with plastic bags, but let us take | | | | bags do not end up polluting landfills alongside paper |
| a closer look. Some paper bags are produced from | | | | and plastic bags. |
| recycled materials, while the majority of them are | | | | You may find using your new bags a struggle at first. |
| made from trees. Paper bags have a huge impact on | | | | It can be hard to remember to bring them every |
| forests. These are the forests and trees we rely on | | | | time you shop, but it will become a habit soon |
| to produce our oxygen and absorb greenhouse | | | | enough. You will feel great about doing your part to |
| gases. Comparing the energy it takes to produce | | | | achieve a greener environment and may even save a |
| disposable bags, paper actually takes more energy to | | | | little money while you do it. Many stores reward |
| manufacture than plastic. Even when recycling, paper | | | | customers who bring their own reusable bags in |
| bags use more energy than plastic bags. Sadly, even | | | | when shopping. So, break the habit of unnecessary |
| though these bags can be recycled, the rate of | | | | waste and switch to reusable shopping bags today. |