Paper or Plastic or do you bring your own ?

Question

Plactic is non bio-degradable
I bring my own Jute/cotton whch are reproducable and are not depleting nature.....Last year my New Years thing was to get more bags AND to use them instead of plactic and paper...
Thank you all for answering....
I did not give thumbs down sorry about that....

Answer 1

Sorry to rain on your parade, but recycling of plastic bags is a poor substitute for not using them in the first place. The economics of recycling plastic bags is poor. It takes a substantial amount of petrochemicals to produce the 380 billion/year (!!!) in the U.S. alone (EPA estimate). Paper is no better as it has both higher production and recycling costs. Furthermore, they do not degrade in the anaerobic environment of a landfill.

Please consider using your own bags. If I have a cartload of groceries I request that they just put them back in the cart and I load it into boxes or coolers in my trunk. Invent a mindhack so you don't forget. I hang my bag on the doorknob to the garage.
Thanks, and pardon the wee rant.

Answer 2

All of the above....:)

I rarely use paper bags; but every once in awhile I'll use one of the paper bags with handles-and then I reuse it until it falls apart.

I use the plastic bags when I do a big shopping trip; and especially when I'm buying meat or other things that might leak. I reuse a few and recycle all the rest.

I carry two of the insulated plastic bag type carriers to keep things cool in our hot weather here. They last a year or two and then I recycle them.

I carry a tote with me whenever I shop; I call it the mom-bag....and it will hold an amazing amount of stuff.....when it gets too heavy it's time for me to head for the car....:)

Answer 3

Here in Australia, for about 5 years we have had a huge drive to get rid of plastic shopping bags. In virtually all shops now, you can purchase a cloth bag for $1 at the checkout. These bags are good forever, they are really strong, and large enough to carry a lot of groceries or whatever. Most people have half a dozen in their car, and we take them with us when doing the shopping. Instead of ending up with many little plastic bags, you just pop all your purchases in the one bag, and off you go.

I'm surprised that this doesn't happen in the U.S. Its just one of many things which make me go "gosh ! I thought the Yanks were so progressive, but we're ahead of them !"

Answer 4

My store offers both plastic and paper as well as green cloth reusable totes. They also have a recycle bin to bring your plastic bags back. I use them if I get plastic for liners in my waste cans. My grandma uses them to make these adorable poodle dogs, She uses wire hangers from the dry cleaners and shapes the body of the dog then ties the strips of plastic around the wire they are real cute.

Answer 5

I recycle all the plastic I get, and I usually take my own cloth and net market bags to the stores with me. I only take plastic if I have no other bags or if I have more stuff than I have bags.
Very seldom get any paper at all.

Answer 6

Plastic, but they don't offer paper at most places I shop at now. And they have a note on the plastic - bring back to the store for recycling -
I bought a canvas bag for shopping with, though I keep forgetting it. I must put it into my car, before I forget - AGAIN!

Thanks for asking :)

(**)

Answer 7

Plastic, I reuse them for other things around the house. Or I recycle them. Paper we are just cutting down more trees to make them.

Answer 8

When I pack my own groceries, I try to get paper but if the person packs them for me, I usually get plastic. I do have several "green" bags that I purchase and use as well.

Answer 9

If I go to Aldi's I bring my own unless I forget it and then I have to use one of their boxes.

When I go to another store I use their plastic bags. Then I reuse them at Aldi's, use them when I clean the litter box, and I use them for trash liners in the bathroom waste basket.

Answer 10

Plastic. I reuse the bags at home... mostly for putting dog poops into.