| Reusable bags are indeed better for the environment. | | | | As with cotton, most other textiles are produced with |
| But, like disposable bags, reusable bags still require | | | | the use of chemicals at some point. Many of the |
| resources to produce, and may ultimately end up in a | | | | chemicals can cause harmful emissions into air and |
| landfill. The only way for reusable bags to be a truly | | | | water, and may present health risks. The wet |
| sustainable alternative to paper and plastic is to | | | | processing of textiles can now be done in low-impact |
| commit to using them on regular basis. That means not | | | | ways, using alternatives such as peroxide for |
| just using them at the grocery store, but at the | | | | bleaching, and natural dyes. Phthalate-free printing is |
| hardware store, the wholesale club, and wherever else | | | | also an option today. In order to meet the Global |
| we shop and carry out items. | | | | Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) organic fibers must |
| The Environmental Protection Agency says that using | | | | be composed of at least 95% chemical-free raw |
| a reusable bag just 11 times can have less of an | | | | materials, and must be processed without the use of |
| environmental impact than using eleven plastic bags, | | | | certain prohibited chemicals such as formaldehyde and |
| despite the energy it takes to manufacture it. | | | | those containing heavy metals. Finding a reusable bag |
| However, the energy required to make the various | | | | that meets the GOTS standards is a way to be sure |
| types of reusable bags differs depending on the | | | | your choice is an ecologically sound one. |
| material used. Essentially, the number of uses it takes | | | | With regard to synthetic bags, one disadvantage is |
| to cancel out the environmental impact of disposable | | | | that they will take as long to biodegrade as disposable |
| bags varies according to what the manufacturing | | | | plastic bags (meaning hundreds of years.) They are |
| process is. The Wall Street Journal reported that many | | | | also made from fossil fuels, which are clearly |
| of the inexpensive polypropylene bags offered by | | | | non-renewable. On the plus side, some synthetic bags |
| retailers require a staggering 28 times more energy to | | | | have incorporated recycled plastics, keeping them out |
| produce than the typical disposable polyethylene | | | | of the waste stream for a time. |
| handle bag. Therefore, polypropylene bags need to be | | | | Synthetic bags can also be more durable and |
| used at least 28 times to cancel out the impact of one | | | | stain-resistant than those made of natural fibers, which |
| disposable polyethylene bag. That bag will have to be | | | | means the consumer may hold onto them a bit longer. |
| used about twice per week for 3-1/2 months in order | | | | One last option consumers have, which may be the |
| for it to pay off for the environment. | | | | best of all of them, is to make or find a reusable bag |
| Reusable bags can found in natural materials such as | | | | that re-purposes materials such as fabric mill waste, |
| cotton, canvas, hemp, linen, and bamboo. They are also | | | | former rice bags, burlap coffee sacks, and the like. |
| available in various plastics and nylon. More and more, | | | | Even an old pair of jeans, worn-out sweater, |
| bags made of recycled materials are coming onto the | | | | out-of-style skirt, or mismatched pillowcase can easily |
| market. Choosing a bag made of natural materials | | | | be turned into a unique replacement for disposable |
| means that it will biodegrade more rapidly at the end | | | | bags with the artful use of scissors and basic sewing |
| of its life, creating less of a problem than its synthetic | | | | skills. Whatever kind of reusable bag you choose, the |
| counterparts. Bear in mind, however, that natural | | | | important thing is that you have made a conscious |
| materials such as cotton can still be resource-intensive, | | | | decision to make the world a better place. The next |
| and may involve the use of chemical fertilizers, | | | | step is to make using the bag a habit, just like grabbing |
| pesticides, bleaching agents, as well as synthetic dyes. | | | | your keys as you leave the house, so that you can |
| However, consumers can "opt out" of those practices | | | | say "no" to disposable bags forever. |
| by choosing natural-colored organic cotton. | | | | |