Plastic grocery bags wreak havoc on the environment, contributing largely to the current deterioration. By replacing these bags with reusable grocery bags which are durable and sustainable, you can make a significant difference in the state of the world.
How Bags Affect Landfills
Landfills are literally giant piles of garbage. All items which cannot be recycled go here to sit forever, and a lot of items which could be recycled end up here, too. There is only so high the trash can be piled before dump sites must be closed and a new one must be opened in its place. These landfills produce massive amounts of carbon, which is bad for the ozone layer.
The average person will contribute as many as 260 plastic bags to landfills every single year. That’s over a thousand for an average family of four. Now imagine what that means for a single town, or an entire state.
How Bags Affect the Human Population
Plastic bags are known for blocking drainage systems, which can cause flooding and serious damage. In fact, several large floods have been caused by plastic bag blockages and have even resulted in death for some.
The saddest part about this is that it could have easily been avoided by reducing the number of plastic bags used in those areas or, at the very least, by disposing of them properly. There is no reason they should end up in drainage systems in the first place.
How Bags Affect Wildlife
Wildlife often gets trapped inside of plastic bags, where they suffocate. Other times they ingest the plastic, which cannot be broken down by their digestive systems. The animals then either choke or end up with an intestinal blockage. In either event, the outcome is often death.
Saving Company’s Bottom Line
Economically, plastic grocery bags are not a worthwhile investment. Companies spend around five cents per bag, and they are often offered free of charge. That’s an investment of around $13 a year per customer. Now, think about large chains with millions of customers.
A better idea for a company’s bottom line is to offer their customers a free reusable bag with, say, every $100 or so spent at their store. By ordering bags from places like customgrocerybags.com, advertising your brand is just as easy as with plastic, and you might just gain clients by promoting your company as being green.
How Reusable Bags Can Save You Money
Utilizing reusable bags isn’t just good for the environment – It’s also good for your pocket. Many stores offer a small discount for those who use them. Certain grocery chains offer five cents off for every reusable bag a customer brings in. Over the course of the year, this could lead to big savings.
Reusable grocery bags have a big part to play in the green movement. With their disposable plastic counterparts wreaking such havoc on all of earth’s lifeforms, as well as the earth itself, getting rid of them is the only solution.