can anyone give me some tips on replacing the use of plastic bags for garbage, as well as those sandwich bags.

Question

I've heard that plastic bags are really bad for the environment and would like to stop using them, you know gotta start somewhere by putting a little effort.

Answer 1

You can buy "plastic"/ disposable bags, plates, spoons, cups, and such made from natural and therefore biodegradable materials. Some are made from corn starches or wheat starches. Check out the website below for one place where you can purchase them.
You can also check out natural and health stores for recycled bags, and use things like aluminum foil, which can be washed and reused.
You need to be really careful about reusing plastic, especially if you heat it (or run it in a dishwasher with hot water). Dangerous chemical compounds can be released as the plastic breaks down. They can cause cancer, reduce your fertility, and lots of other gross stuff. I try to use all glass storage containers--I save salsa and pickle jars, for example, and use them to store left over food or food for lunches. they're safe to microwave, and recyclable if they ever do break.

Answer 2

That is a tough one but here are a couple of ideas I have found along the way. A lot of people have started to use compost bins for all their food scraps. That way you have a place that is safe from animals and you can re-use the compost in your garden. I have a large galvanized bucket, that I use for gardening and stash that under the sink for the foodstuff. I also have a garbage disposal that takes a lot of the food scraped off the plates.

Any of the other containers, that can't be recycled like plastic and such, I put into a separate large galvanized bucket that I keep in the pantry. We have some great containers from our local trash company. Once my bucket is full, I can dump it into the trash container and I don't use any plastic at all since all the yucky stuff went into the compost bucket.

The buckets are found at your local hardware store or garden center. They aren't as big as a trash can but some do have lids. I think I have even seen some at container stores. If you have a recycling center in your area, they can usually tell you where you can purchase items to help with recycling without using plastic. Hope that helps.

Answer 3

I would suggest something like a large canvas bag for the trash as long as you don't put liquids in it. And you would be able to wash it out.
For the sandwiches, I would suggest wax paper, or the reusable sandwich size containers. If you don't like the smell that seems to stay in the plastic containers, and if baking soda doesn't get the smell out, you can use the sandwich shape pyrexware. I know that pyrex would be less convenient, but I think they maybe overall safer for your food and especially safer when re-heating foods. I have recently heard that when you freeze liquids (and possibly solid food as well) in plastic, that toxins are released into the food from the plastic. Not good. I like using pyrex for everything anyway because I really detest the plastic smells. They have such a huge selection of sizes and shapes for pyrex containers that also have tight fitting lids as well... good luck and I hope this helps.

Answer 4

If you use paper bags for your garbage, you are being much more eco-friendly. Also, when you recycle and use those containers, your trash bags will be much smaller and eco-friendly as well.

For lunches I never EVER use plastic or even paper. I also don't use Gladware because it breaks much easier than Tupperware. Tupperware is my absolute favorite purchase for saving bags at lunchtime. It's also 100% replaceable if it ever breaks, and no other plastic manufacturing company does that. My mom has Tupperware from the 50's that survived her family!

Answer 5

You can use start by composting as much as possible and recycling what you can (this will cut down on your demand for plastic bags). Use paper bags for the trash that is left that you cannot recycle. As far as replacing sandwich bags, use air-tight plastic containers (Tupperware, glad-ware or the like) if you want to have reusable containers or use aluminum foil to wrap sandwiches if you want to be able to recycle the wrapper.

Answer 6

In my house we use plastic reusable containers for bringing lunches to work. We'd much rather wash than throw away any day. However, if we need to use a bag, we always recycle something that held veggies from the grocer. We do our best to bring our own bags to the grocery store these days, but it doesn't always work, so there is the bag recycling area in our laundry room.

As for garbage, that can be a challenge. Recycle everything you can, use your composter and share any meat leftovers with your favorite pet if that's allowed.

You can purchased green garbage bags from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Check you local health food store for them.

Answer 7

I don't have an answer for trash bags, but will be checking back to see if anyone has a clever idea!

As for your lunch, use reusable, washable containers and an insulated bag to eliminate the extra $ and waste. I bought a tupperware lunch set 10 years ago and still use it every day to take my lunch, in my handy dandy Schwann's give a way freebie lunch bag. (Yes, I'm cheap)

Someone was just talking about the over use of wrapping paper. I agree--it's so spendy and such a waste! We use maps, fabric, and when the kids were little their artwork!

Answer 8

Well instead of using paper bags or plastic bags at your local grocery store, you can purchase a large shopping bag and bring it with you when you go shopping. Anywhere for that matter, it does not need to be just for groceries.

And I wish people would stop wrapping gifts in wrapping paper or using decorated bags. Newspapers work fine (even though they look a little tacky, there are various ways to make them look really cool!)

Answer 9

Paper bags are not the answer sorry! Paper comes from cutting down trees! Anything reusable, like some other people have said would be great. Also, check out your local natural food store for plastics that are not made with pvc and other toxic substances.

Answer 10

the garbage question is the tricky one. at my house, we use paper grocery bags (always ask for paper instead of plastic!!), but if you are worried about wasting paper i would suggest not using anything at all. empty wet stuff in the sink before throwing it away to avoid the trash can getting to dirty and smelly, and maybe give it a good wash every now and then too.

not using paper bags is a valid point, because they aren't getting recycled if you use them for trash. however, if you're going to go with that make sure you use a reusable tote bag to buy your groceries with; if you're using their paper bags anyway, reusing them for your trash is the perfect way to see recycling in action!

sandwich bags: definitely replace them with reusable tupperware. once you make the initial purchase, you're not spending money every week to replace them and don't have to worry about killing the environment.

another lunch time tip: use cloth napkins and a reusable lunch box instead of a paper lunch sack.