Reusable Bags Vs. Plastic Bags. Here’s The TRUTH
Understanding Your Bag Options
Bags are a simple item on the surface, but with all of the different types of bags available, it can be hard to know what type of bag is best.
Plastic bags have been around for years and they get the job done, but reusable bags are becoming more common and in some areas, they are even mandatory.
When it comes to reusable bags vs plastic bags, here’s what you need to know.
Understanding Plastic Bags
Plastic bags are convenient. They are lightweight and can carry a decent amount of items, making easy work of carrying groceries home. Plastic bags are great while they’re being used, but they have a negative impact on the planet after they are discarded.
From contributing to the various garbage patches floating around in the world’s oceans to destroying habits, killing animals, and impacting the food chain, pollution from single-use bags is a real problem.
Plastic bags also use up nonrenewable resources, meaning disposable plastic bags have a lot of baggage. Plastic bags are technically recyclable, but due to difficulty processing them, most recycling facilities do not accept them. For this reason, most of the plastic bags used end up in landfills or as litter.
The Reality of Plastic Bags
- Made from nonrenewable resources
- Not biodegradable
- Likely to end up as litter
- Can kill animals, particularly marine animals that mistake plastic bags as food
What’s So Great About Reusable Bags?
The main advantage of reusable bags is that they can do everything plastic bags can do, without the negative environmental impact. Reusable bags are constructed from recycled or sustainable materials and are designed to be used multiple times.
If you’re wondering how many single-use plastic bags are saved by using just one reusable bag, the answer can be staggering.
Reusable bags aren’t without their potential hitches.
Possibly, the biggest issue for many shoppers is just getting in the habit of using reusable bags. Remembering to grab the bags before heading out to the store seems easy enough and it is, but until that habit is formed it can be frustrating arriving at the checkout without bags.
Just like anything that comes into contact with food, reusable bags need to be cleaned. This is an extra step that again, once it becomes a habit, it’s easy, but it can be frustrating in the meantime.
The Reality of Reusable Bags
- Made from recycled or sustainable materials
- Constructed to be used multiple times
- Do not significantly contribute to litter
- Likely to be disposed of in a responsible manner
Make an Informed Choice
When it comes to reusable bags vs plastic bags there is a lot of information to wade through.
Both styles of bags have their own advantages and disadvantages, but when it comes to plastic bags, the disadvantages outnumber the advantages.
The momentary convenience of single-use plastic bags is overshadowed by the long-term environmental impact, making reusable bags the more responsible choice.
Go Reusable Now
We are serious about helping the planet and that’s why we think reusable bags are a great choice.
Reusable bags also make excellent promotional products.
For over a decade, we’ve been helping our customers, including American Express, Bank of America, Carnival Cruise Lines, Pepsi, The Home Depot, Whole Foods, and more create their own custom reusable bags. We have our own factory which allows us to keep costs down, so you can secure a great ROI.
Shop our full line of eco-friendly reusable bags and fill out a form to get your custom quote today!
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