Try Something New: Reusable Grocery Bags

When it comes to reusable items, there are a lot of items that fall into that list.  We reuse our clothes by giving them to charity or selling them on consignment, we reuse our homes and cars by selling them to others, we can even reuse our plastic and paper grocery bags by using them as trash can liners.

Realistically, most of us have way more plastic grocery bags than anyone truly needs.  If you’re in the category of people who actually uses every last grocery bag that you save, (an estimated 600-1,200 per year) then great.  But if you’re like the rest of us let me give you a few reasons why you should invest in some sturdy reusable canvas grocery bags—and it’s not just because it’s good for the environment—which it is.

Reason #1:  They hold more.  On average canvas grocery bags hold 2 ½ times more items than a regular plastic grocery bag.  That’s because they’re larger and sturdier.  Look for the ones that have a hard cardboard bottom for support.  That means fewer trips to and from the car.  You might even be able to leave your grocery cart in the store and just carry your bags out.

Reason #2:  They are washable.  Make sure you check the bags before you buy them, but the best ones can simply be thrown in your washing machine.  That means they can be used for everything from bringing your lunch to work or a change of workout clothes to the gym even after you carried raw meat home in it the week before, just be sure to wash it first!

Reason #3: They can make a fashion statement.  If you have $960 just lying around, you could purchase the Hermès designer shopping bag.  If you’re looking to make an even greener statement on the cheap, you can find bags made from recycled materials like plastic bottles, old cotton clothing, outdoor ads and even juice boxes!  Many grocery stores also sell bags for around $0.99 each.

Reason #4:  They can keep cold foods cold. Insulated reusable bags take shopping to a whole new level.  Gone are the days where the grocery store had to be the last errand on your list.  Now you can put cold foods in insulated bags, seal up the top and they’ll stay cold for hours.

And finally, the one we all know…
Reason #5:  They are good for the environment. Experts say an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion bags are used worldwide every year.  40 billion plastic and paper bags are used in the United States alone.  Try to picture that many bags piled up.  Each individual uses anywhere between 600 to 1,200 plastic grocery bags each year.  Do you take your bathroom garbage out 11 times each week?  (600 bags / 52 weeks = 11.5 trips to the trash per week) To top it all off, plastic bags can often be consumed by animals which can kill them. By reusing bags you can do your part to save landfill space and also protect wildlife.

Now I realize that making sure you have your canvas grocery bags in your car when you need to go to the store is just another thing to remember, but you remember to take the trash out each week.  You remember to set your alarm to go to work.  Well, you remember most times.  So with a little practice, you’ll remember your reusable grocery bags most of the time, too.  And when you forget, you’ll have plastic bags to line your bathroom garbage can.  So try something new!  Who knows?  You just might like it.

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