reasons, many cities do not essential answer, above, an average
accept them in the municipal cotton shopping bag would need to
recycling stream. Some large be reused 131 times to account for
grocery stores offer plastic its higher impact on the production
bag recycling options on site side. So if you’re going to use this
(find a recycling center near bag for the next five years, have at it.
you). But unlike metal or glass,
plastic can be reincarnated a Non-woven PP, on the other hand, is
In terms of disposal, paper bags are better limited number of times before less costly than cotton. These bags
need to be reused only 11 times to
than their plastic counterparts. Paper it is too costly to revive.
break even with the conventional
is compostable. If you have access to
composting, just tear it up and toss it in. Many people do reuse plastic plastic (according to the same U.K.
Or if, like me, you’ve grown pots of mold bags. And this lowers their carbon study). Remember — not all bags
in your kitchen too many times and are footprint — but only to a point. are created equal! If you do opt
now a little compost-shy, recycling is the Most plastic shopping bags are for a reusable, be sure to consider
next best option. As long as they’re not fated to become waste-bin liners, the material, its origins and how
overly contaminated with food, paper or dog pooper-scoopers. They much you will reuse the bag. Of
shopping bags can go in any municipal do an excellent job fulfilling these course, the best option is to use a
duties — but when done, they’re tote you already have (or buy one
recycling bin.
off to the landfill. Plastic bags simply secondhand).
don’t have the reusable potential of
Plastic
In the end, your actions will
cloth or even paper bags.
make the greatest difference
The standard grocery store plastic
— not the bag itself. The most
bag is made from high-density Reusable cotton or polypropylene
sustainable choice is one that’s
polyethylene (HDPE). Studies agree
that plastic bags are by far the least Reusable bags may be made from sustainable for you. What
costly (i.e. carry the smallest ecological many different materials (hemp fiber, are your preferences? Which
footprint) to produce. Still, there is for instance, is especially good for considerations, environmental
no way around the fact that plastic is people who fancy themselves as hip), or otherwise, are most
derived from petroleum. Petroleum is but the two most common types are important to you? And which
a finite resource, and as it becomes cotton and non-woven polypropylene lifestyle changes will you make
increasingly limited, obtaining it (PP), a more durable type of plastic. Even for the long-term?
becomes increasingly damaging to these chic reusable bags have caught
flak from some environmentalists. Are Take these questions as food
the environment.
they really better than plastic bags? for thought the next time
Recycling plastic bags can be The answer depends on how faithfully you’re on your way to the
difficult. They often fly out of bins you reuse them. As mentioned in our grocery store.
or cling to machinery. For these
Paper may not be the first choice for
your reusable grocery bag, since it tears
easily and doesn’t hold up in the rain.
However, paper bags can be repurposed
once they’ve been carted home — for
bagging lunches; making arts and crafts; or
collecting compost, trash or recyclables.
www.slyoumag.com | July-August 2019
SL-YOU | Business, People & Lifestyle 55