Saving the world, one bag at a time

So here's a little challenge. You may have heard about this before as it has gained popularity over the last few years (though some people have been doing it for much longer). Publix (and some other stores) are offering reusable bags to replace paper and plastic disposable bags. Publix has just started advertising them lately. I had heard about the idea for a while, but never got around to making it happen. Well now Publix sells the bags in their stores where it is convenient to pick them up. I know the idea of buying a bag to put your groceries in sounds crazy, but hear me out. The goal here is to reduce the use of materials destined for landfills. Everyone knows that plastic bags take a long time to biodegrade and we've all seen one or ten blowing across the road or floating in a retention pond. Replacing those bags with something you can keep and reuse is a great alternative.

Besides the obvious, here are some more benefits of their use:
1. Partially made of recycled material
2. Fully recyclable itself
3. One bag replaces roughly four plastic bags
4. Multipurpose (can be used for more than just groceries)
5. Only costs a buck a piece
6. Great for carrying your cats around the house

Of course there are disadvantages too. Namely:
1. Costs a buck a piece
2. Have to be brought to the store every time you shop (or at least when you plan to)
3. You might feel conspicuous as you will likely be the only one carrying your own bags
4. Cats don't like being carried around in them

Now I know there is a greater energy debit required to make the reusable bags, but over the lifetime of the reusable bag you would have required more energy for plastic/paper bag production (for hundreds of bags). Besides, the primary goal here is to reduce landfill waste. An alternative to the bag idea is no bags. Some people just use baskets in their trunk and carry all the groceries unbagged in the buggy to their car. This option obviously is even better, though not necessarily as easy to adjust to.

All in all, I think it is a simple way to reduce trash consumption. Krista and I are trying it and I'm impressed by how well the bags work. They are strong and durable and well worth $1 even if we didn't use them from groceries. I think they are affordable too. Most of the time we go to the store there is likely an item for $2-4 that really isn't necessary. Replace a couple of those with bags and you'll have enough to carry all your groceries home for many months to come (or longer).