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Baggu Instagram
These Baggu reusable bags ($10 - $12) are made to look like classic takeout bags.
- While a lot of plastic can be recycled, most of it never makes its way to the recycling bin - instead it ends up in landfills that pollute our waterways. The levels of plastic pollution in our oceans are so high, it's been predicted that by 2050 plastic will outweigh fish in the ocean.
- New York is the latest entity to impose a single-use plastic bag ban. Whether you live in the state or not, this effort sheds light on the fact that we could all reduce our consumption of single-use plastics.
- If you're looking for plastic bag alternatives, check out our list of seven great options below. They're just as convenient and affordable, and they all look much cooler than plastic bags.
In terms of materials, plastic is about as ubiquitous as they come. It's everywhere - one of the main ingredients in the majority of items we encounter every day. We get our groceries packed in plastic bags. We squeeze shampoo, conditioners, and lotion out of plastic bottles. Our takeout bags are filled with plastic containers and plastic utensils.
A lot of plastic products can be recycled, but the majority of them just end up in landfills and go on to pollute our oceans. A report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation predicts that by 2050, plastic in the oceans will outweigh fish. If we keep disposing of plastic at the rate we're going, in 31 years there will be about 850-950 million tons of plastic in the ocean, and only 812-899 million tons of fish.
Looking at those harrowing numbers can be overwhelming - as an individual, it's hard to imagine that our small actions could move the needle at all. But we have to start somewhere.
Reducing your own single-use plastic bag consumption is an environmentally, not to mention fiscally, responsible move. And, these days it couldn't be easier to ditch single-use plastic - there are so many brands offering reusable alternatives that are more affordable and much better looking than plastic bags anyway.
If you're looking to find some great reusable plastic bag alternatives, keep reading for 7 cool, convenient, and affordable options:
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