Cutting Down Plastic Bags Going To The Dump

The inevitable question is "paper or plastic?" The plastic bag people say they’re saving trees by not using paper bags. The paper bag people say they’re keeping plastic bags from getting into the ocean and harming the fish. How can you get around this predicament?

1. Consider not getting a bag at all if you are buying something small or easy to carry. Really now ... do you need a bag to carry your sandwich to work?  No, probably not.
    
2. Use canvas/cloth bags. They are reusable and much prettier than either plastic or paper. 
    
3. Check out biodegradable bags. We often buy plastic bags for our kitchens and our bathrooms ... but sometimes, a biodegradable bag will do the trick!  These will decompose in landfills or in compost, which means the waste is eliminated from the bag.
    
4. Don't forget about reusable bags for produce items! Either sew your own smaller bags, or check out some already-made, eco-chic options.
    
5. Try adopting something like the Japanese furoshiki. The furoshiki is traditional piece of cloth used to transport food, clothes, or gifts. But in this case, the cloth can be folded in such a way that it replaces a bag. Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has recommendations of common ways to fold a furoshiki (see below) 
   
   Click the picture to get a larger view:
   

   
   

6. Reuse the plastic bags you already have!  Plastic bags that have already made their way into your life can be used for: doggie bags (i.e. poop scoopers), packing materials (instead of bubble wrap, although bubble wrap is awfully fun), garbage bags (in your car, in your bathroom, wherever), you could even make a beach bag with "plastic bag crochet" techniques!
    
7. Recycle the plastic bags you can't use.  Sometimes your curbside recycling with accept plastic bags...if not, try taking Type 2 and Type 4 bags to your local grocery store (Safeways and Walmarts accept plastic bags for recycling).  Try Plasticbagrecycling.org for a look up of where you can drop your bags.

If we all work together we can avoid this!