Virtually everybody is familiar with the struggles that humanity is facing with respect to our ecological challenges. From deforestation and pollution to overutilization of natural resources, we are simply consuming too much for a population and planet of our size. Ultimately, resource conservation will become critical in maintaining a healthy environment and vibrant economy. Many of the changes that need to be made will have to occur at the individual level, with the use of reusable bags being one of those changes. Let’s talk about why reusable bags are good for the environment and how they can benefit you as well.
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They Keep Harmful Chemicals Out of the Environment
The amount of petroleum products and other chemicals used to make a single plastic bag isn’t all that much on its own. But when multiplied billions of times, the effects are staggering. Plastic bags take anywhere from decades to centuries to break down – and when they do, they leech toxic chemicals into the soil and water. Ultimately, avoiding the use of plastic bags and instead opting for reusable or printed bags ensures those pollutants aren’t used (and subsequently leeched back into the environment).
They Can Be Reused for Years
Quality retail bags can be used for long periods of time. If you bring them with you each time you go shopping, you’re able to get dozens or even hundreds of uses out of each one, making them infinitely better than consuming all those plastic bags. Think of how many plastic bags you’ll be keeping out of landfills, oceans and other natural habitats. Plus, when the reusable bags are at the end of their life, they can be more easily recycled than plastic.
Less Oil Consumption
We use oil to manufacture a variety of products: that includes plastic bags. If everybody used reusable bags when shopping, oil consumption would drop by a meaningful amount. The price of oil is directly linked to the amount being consumed; if less oil is being consumed, then the price of oil is likely to decrease as a result. That makes them better for both the environment and your bottom line.
Recycling Plastic Bags is a Myth
Plastic bags can in fact be recycled, but the reality is that very few are recycled properly. Various estimates suggest that one to two percent of plastic bags are in fact recycled; the rest are trashed. This is due to both consumers simply discarding them and various recycling companies trashing those they receive, due to the cost of recycling being greater than the money earned. Ultimately, continuing plastic bag consumption is terrible for the environment.
A Huge Portion of Ocean Trash is Plastic Bags
The vast majority of non-biodegradable trash floating around in our oceans is plastic-based. What may surprise you even more is that plastic bags comprise roughly ten percent of the total trash volume entering our oceans and water supplies. These bags take forever to break down, leech awful chemicals into the water and result in deaths and injuries to aquatic wildlife due to their presence.
You now hopefully have a better understand of why reusable bags are a much smarter solution for the environment when compared to plastic bags. Whether it’s about keeping our oceans clean, saving money, stopping pollution or avoiding over-consumption of resources, the rationale for abandoning plastic bags and switching to reusable ones is clearly there.