Plastic Shopping Bags vs. Reusable Shopping Bags

In today’s society, plastic shopping bags are the dominant form of shopping bags.  Although they are cheap and readily available at the grocery store, they have two main issues.  First off, they are extremely weak and flimsy, and I have experienced them ripping on the way back from a grocery trip many times.  Second, they are very bad for the environment.  They end up in landfills, where they biodegrade.  However, as plastic contains a lot of toxic chemicals in it, this causes pollution and can make these sites very unhealthy.  I do not need to bring up the plastic island in the Pacific Ocean.  They can also end up blowing around in the wind, which can cause them to choke animals, or end up in the ocean.  Although they are recyclable, the process to recycle them is cumbersome: you must bring them back to the store and put them in a bin in the front of the store.  The only city that I know of that will recycle them curbside is Seattle.  Needless to say, plastic shopping bags are quite a pain.

That is why I have been trying out reusable shopping bags for a few years now.  They are environmentally friendly, and are relatively simple to use.  This post compares a reusable shopping bag to a plastic one provided at the store.

The Test

Reusable shopping bags are expensive.  Whereas a plastic shopping bag provided at a store generally costs about five cents, you must purchase multiple shopping bags from a store.   Depending on the size and store, this can cost anywhere from $0.69 to $1.29.  Purchasing ten bags, then, can cost anywhere from $7 to $13!  This overall limits the appeal of reusable shopping bags.

However, once you have purchased your reusable shopping bags, you receive a ton of benefits.  First off, at select stores, you receive $0.05 off your purchase every time you use the bags.  Now, that may not sound too appealing, but just think – if you buy the $0.69 bags, it only takes thirteen trips to the store to pay off one bag.  If you shop at multiple stores per week, the savings will quickly add up. 

Compared to plastic shopping bags, reusable shopping bags are much more durable.  You are much less likely to experience a rip on the way home from a trip to the grocery store.  You will then be much more likely to be able to use the bags repeatedly, and benefit the environment. 

Reusable shopping bags do, however, have their downfalls.  I cannot tell you how many times I have forgotten to bring the bags with me into the store, and have had to use the plastic bags.  And, they aren’t recyclable.  If a plastic shopping bag rips, you can bring it back to the store to recycle the material.  However, once a reusable shopping bag rips, you cannot recycle it, and have to send it to the landfill.

The Verdict

Overall, I found reusable shopping bags practical.  I would definitely recommend using them over plastic shopping bags.  Reusable shopping bags are just another simple, practical way that we can benefit our environment.

The Scores

·          

      Sustainability

o   Reusable bags: 9

o   Plastic bags: 1

·         Practicality

o   Reusable bags: 8

o   Plastic bags: 6

·         Overall

o   Reusable bags: 8.5

o   Plastic bags: 3.5