Los Angeles just became the largest city to vote ban the use of plastic bags. Los Angeles alone uses 2.3 billion plastic shopping bags a year and only about 5% are recycled. What does this mean to the rest of us? It means that the times, they are a changing and we need to adapt.
I’ve long been a fan of reusable shopping bags. Mine are about two years old now and almost embarrassing to use. I need to make some new ones. I don’t like bringing home plastic bags so I try to always have one in my purse, you can make or buy bags that fold up into a tiny package to fit in your purse.
So how can your prepare? First, buy or make some grocery bags. If you are handy with a sewing machine there are hundreds of patterns to be found online or simply use an old bag and create your own pattern.
I’ve also used old sheer curtains to make produce bags. They are quick and easy to make and I just knot the tops once they are filled.
We all know that taking our own bags to the store is good for the environment, not to mention how many fewer plastic bags you will have to shove under your sink when you get home. Still, most of us don’t use them. The reasons are varied but it really comes down to what we are used to. We are used to stopping at the store on the way home from work and the friendly bagger puts our purchases in a bag and we carry them to the car. We don’t have to think about it.
Using reusable bags takes some practice but if you make the effort in no time at all it will be a habit and the amount of trash you bring home with you will be reduced.
Now for the downside of reusable bags- they get dirty, really dirty, dirty enough to make you sick. Most people don’t wash their reusable bags and some of the ones sold in the store are not meant to hold up to frequent laundering.
In order to prevent bacteria it is important to wash your bags after every use and to keep certain bags for raw meat. You should still put your meat in a plastic bag before putting it into the reusable bag. Yes, that wastes a plastic bag but who wants all that blood in their shopping bags.
Also never use your grocery bags to carry other things like gym clothes, shoes, diapers and the like. Have separate bags for different uses to help prevent the spread of bacteria.
Reusable shopping bags, how very European of us!