Paper, Plastic, or Stylish?
I think it is pretty clear to everyone now that using paper or plastic grocery bags is simply the wrong thing to do. Now I can spend a ton of time trying to show you why and explain how you are damaging the earth and how you really should be "greener", but I promise to keep it to a minimum. I am going to assume you are not a total idiot and that all the badgering has somehow gotten through. What I would like to show you is what some options are for guys and girls who really don't like carrying all those bags that feature giant advertisements for their local store.
So what's the big deal already?
Let us make this really simple for everyone. Americans use 100 billion plastic bags every year, which comes out to around 330 bags per person. Plastic bags take between 400 to 1,000 years to break down and then chemicals inside these bags will remain in the soil and water table for an eternity after that. These plastic bags are made from crude oil, natural gas, and petrochemical derivatives and to make our 100 billion bags, we require 12 million barrels of crude oil per year. In the grand scheme of things 12 million seems pretty low considering the US uses around 20 million barrels per day to power all the lovely automobiles we all use to get here and there. However, if we remove that 12 million barrels used for bags then we essentially eliminate the oil needed to power 9,000 vehicles a year.
What about the rest of the world?
If you lived in China, Taiwan, Australia, and many other countries you would never see a plastic bag. In Europe, many countries have large pay-per-use costs (up to .30 cents per bag) which has dramatically reduced consumption by up to 90%. In fact, the countries that are the farthest behind are the US and Britain. Their biggest argument is that no one will pay for bags and the convenience is just too hard too argue with. Also, the alternative in the government's minds is a return to paper which takes even more energy if people do recycle.
Get your own bags and look cool shopping once again.
They come in all sorts of sizes, shapes, colors, and patterns and that is what makes them perfect. Some of our favorites you can find out more about below.
Of all the choices, our top recommendation has to be Envirosax. With all the patterns available you can definitely find something to suit your style. Also, the bags roll up into themselves and can easily just tuck into a jacket pocket or in that spare compartment in your messenger or purse. The bags are 100% waterproof and double stitched so you never have to worry about walking home and having them bust open on you. Girls, make sure to check out the new organic series made of bamboo, linen, or hemp. Guys, make sure to take a look at their Retro series for something a bit more masculine.
After all this, if you walk into a store now and ask for paper or plastic bags, then you really should hang your head in shame. Most of the people around you are going to be looking at you like you are the biggest jackass in the whole world. And they are definitely judging you, picturing you littering in a park, hopping in your Hummer, and clubbing baby seals... and they have every right. It really isn't that hard to take your own bags and now you have no excuse.
Categories: guys, girls, bags, recycled, sustainable, organic
