2010: The Year of the Plastic Bag
Or maybe the year of the non-use of the plastic bag, I should say. Or something.
Last year, my husband and I switched to canvas/recycled plastic grocery bags. They really are great–they hold more, you can wash them when they get dirty, and they’re really durable. Probably the only downside is that sometimes they’re easy to leave in the car or back at the house, and you really have to make an effort to remember to bring them with you. We leave them by our back door in a basket so we pass them on our way in and out. That helps usually.
My point: I’d like to just stop using all types of plastic bags. Produce bags, ziploc bags, takeout bags. I can’t rule out garbage bags yet but who knows. If anyone out there has eliminated or cut down on plastic in your life, I wanna know how-be sure to comment!
Great post, we are also trying to cut down on plastics. I second using the recycled washable bags, you can really fill them up and much stronger than plastic. I have also switched from plastic dryer balls to wool dryer balls. I bought them over a year ago from http://www.WoolDryerBalls.com and the same 6 are going strong! We are saving money/energy too by cutting the dryers drying time and not ever having to use softeners for over a year now!
Awesome, Anna! I am also curious about the wool dryer balls–do they remove static effectively? I had a reader tell me they are a “myth” which turned me all skeptical (of both their effectiveness and about them being a myth).
We too have been using canvas bags for a couple of years now. I’ve also bought them as gifts for friends and family. If we do forget our bags, if I’m not getting much, I just tell them a bag isn’t needed. We also use the canvas bags when doing regular shopping, not just grocery shopping. I’m trying to slowly switch out all of my food storage containers with glass. Also, of course, no more bottled water. I purchased a SIGG bottle and use that when I need to take a beverage on the go. Robbie had heard of putting tennis balls in the dryer, so we’ve done that, but I don’t know if it really helps with static.
I like your idea of leaving them by the door so you’re forced to spot them on your way out and in. We have a canvas bag that sits in the closet because I always forget to bring it out.
I recently “upgraded” the size of my [vegan] purse to accommodate the times when I forget my bags. Sofar, so good!
This post reminded me of a story I read about an elderly woman who picked all the plastic bags out of her front fence and made hand bags out of them! I thought that was really rad!
In lieu of sandwich bags, I simply wrap Miles sandwich in a napkin (although I’m sure there’s a slightly better alternative to that?) Chips are tricky though!
Oh nice! I think there are sellers on etsy for all kinds of goods made from bags (or other trash). I agree–very rad!
I’ve been using those reusable plastic containers for lunch items. They are good for not crushing chips, too. Only downside is that you have to remember to bring them home to wash.
Yeah, I never remember to bring home the mini plastic containers either, which leads to a science project in my lunch box. Although, the cleaning staff here at work throws EVERYTHING away that’s left in the fridge on the first Friday of the month (I’ve lost 3 lunch bags so far…. haha!)
You could always do a bento box!
I’ve been looking for a good microwaveable bento box. Plastic freaks me out (microwaving it does anyways) and glass is a little risky for preschoolers. I’m stuck!
What if you made your own? Seeing that it’s for a pre-schooler, you could possibly use cardboard, reinforce with an egg crate or something along those lines. It could be a fun craft to do together!