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Okay, so there are many occasions when you reach the checkout and have either forgotten all your reusable totes or you don't have enough for the enormous shop you've just done. What's a green girl to do? We get right back to the ubiquitous "paper or plastic" question. So which is the better choice? It all depends on how and if you can reuse it. I generally choose plastic, as I know I can re-use it a few times before it will give out. I can also bring it back to the grocery store and put it in their "recycling bag" bin (almost all stores now have them right outside).
Conversely, a paper bag can only be used once again before making its way (if it's not too yucky), into your curbside recycling. Given the fact that the market for mixed paper recyclables is rock bottom now and a great deal of it just has to sit in a warehouse until the market recovers, it seems that paper is definitely not a great option.
So when you next hit the cash register and realize your totes are still in the laundry room or trunk of your car, have a quick think about the myriad of ways in which you can reuse the plastic bags that you are about to become the proud owner of: smelly gym shoes, wet bathing suit, trash can liner—I'm sure you can think of many, many more.
Here's a trashcan liner tip: if you don't want to have to buy plastic trash can liners, the next time you're at a large grocery store, grab a handful of the used plastic bags from that big recycling bin outside. I have been doing this for months and have saved money and my conscious from finding a good second use for these bags. I also downsized my trashcan to one that is the perfect size to hold a grocery store bag. It even has hooks on each side for the bag handles. It's made by Simply Human (CW1123) and is available at Amazon.com.
Read more about green consumerism:
How to Go Green: Back to Basics
Why to Go Green
Stay at a Green Inn
Purchase Trickle Down Electronics
Donate Your Spare Winter Coats
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