The debate over plastic bags in California is continuing to heat up. Meanwhile, some people are crying foul about the five cent proposed tax that may be levied on paper bag usage. Citing that the poor and financially challenged populations will be at an unfair disadvantage, many are forgetting just how budget-friendly obtaining reusable shopping bags bags can actually be.
No matter what your budget, there are ways to spend little to no money building a nice collection of reusable bags that can be used each week for shopping. Here are several ways you can get reusable bags on a budget:
• Watch for free ones being given away at community events. Although they may have a company logo or message on them, they are free reusable bags and will work great.
• Keep an eye open for store promotions, as grocery stores sometimes give away free ones, especially near the holidays.
• Affordable reusable bags of all types can be found at thrift stores and garage sales. At the right thrift store or garage sale, one could build a whole reusable bag collection for under $5.
• Let people know that you would like to have a reusable bag collection and, if they have any they want to give away, you will take them. Knowing that you need some bags, they can look for some free ones through promotional giveaways. Also, consider sending out a notice on your local Freecycle list that you need some reusable bags. Most likely, within hours, you will have several people offer you some extras they can spare.
Once you have the bags, regardless of how much you paid for them, take the bag credit that many stores offer for using them (which is often a nickel per bag used). Before you know it, those reusable bags will have been paid for through using them and getting the bag credits!
5 Places that Have, or Are Trying to, Ban Plastic Bags
As people increasingly learn about the dangers that plastic bags pose to our environment, there is a push worldwide for doing something to dissuade people from using them. While it may seem like it just makes sense for everyone to start using reusable bags, there is some opposition to having a ban on plastic bags, for a variety of reasons.
In an effort to get people to use plastic bags less, some places, such as Taiwan, Belgium and Ireland, have imposed taxes on them. This effort has been quite successful in getting people to turn to reusable bags for their shopping. But still other places are either currently considering a plastic ban or have already put one in place, including:
1. United States. With San Francisco leading the way with implementing a plastic bag ban, other cities are currently trying to follow. California is pushing for a ban, as are Austin, Texas, and New York.
2. Rwanda. In September 2008, a law took effect in the country, banning the plastic bags that were so commonly used, yet were creating an environmental disaster.
3. South Australia. There are a number of cities in South Australia that have banned the plastic bag, including Sydney’s Oyster Bay and Tasmania.
4. Canada. While the Ontario government is working to cut plastic bag usage in half, there are other cities that have already banned the bags, including Northern Manitoba and Leaf Rapids.
5. India. Because the plastic bags can easily clog drainage pipes, India has been taking serious measures to do away with them. Some cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Rajasthan, already have bans in place.
The list of places that are considering taxing plastic bags or banning them altogether lengthens each year. Currently there are cities and countries worldwide that are considering what to do with about the environmental concerns raised by plastic bag usage.
Creating Plastic Free Lunches This School Year
As the new school year gets underway, many people will be making lunches for their children, on a daily basis. Along with all this lunch making comes the question of what the best way to pack it up is. While many people reach for a box of plastic bags, it may not be the best option out there, especially for the family that is trying to reduce their plastic bag usage.
You can still get your lunches made just right and do it in an environmentally friendly way. The first thing you will need to do is make sure you arm your pantry with the right tools to get through the year. Here are a few items that can help you pack a plastic bag-free lunch for your student:
• Get reusable containers. You can invest in a nice stainless steel container set for drinks and hot and cold dishes. There are also many reusable snack containers that can be reused all year long.
• Opt for natural wax paper to wrap your sandwiches in, if you don’t want to use reusable containers. Most health food stores offer natural wax paper, which is biodegradable and can be put into the recycling bin after each use.
• Skip purchasing single serve items, like applesauce and other fruit cups, opting instead for larger jars. This will help you avoid using plastic, as you put single servings in reusable containers each day.
• Send real utensils in lunches, rather than plastic disposables. If you don’t trust sending your good silverware, pick up a couple of forks and spoons at the store or thrift store that can be used just to be packed in lunches.
As people learn more about the unhealthy effects that plastics have on our health and environment, people are searching for ways to reduce their use of it. Since you may be making school lunches for 185 days or more this school year, you can save a lot of plastic by opting for more environmentally friendly options.
Reusable Shopping Bags 