reusable shopping bags

Over 10 years ago I made my first Zero Waste swap without even realizing it. I started using reusable shopping bags at the store instead of the plastic or paper bags provided. Many stores sell their own reusable bag with their logo on it but you can also find some unique ones at thrift stores! Better yet, check around your house - you may already have a canvas bag or tote that you can repurpose into a shopping bag. Ask friends or family, they may have extras to share!


Did you know that by using one reusable bag a year, you can save over 300 bags from entering our environment? A lot of people have had discussions with me about plastic bags. Their argument is that the bags aren't bad because they can be recycled. To be honest, whenever I hear this, I cringe. Yes, you can take them to your local store and put them in a receptacle to be sent somewhere for recycling (really, downcycled) but it's completely unnecessary. Many times on the way to the facility the bags fly out of the truck and end up on the side of the road, in our waterways and stuck in trees. These bags slowly release toxins that seep into the soil. Animals mistake these bags for food and can die from choking on the plastic. 

Bring your own bag. It's one of the easiest ways to reduce waste and helps prevent plastic from polluting our beautiful Earth.