Why use a re-usable shopping bags, instead of a carrier bag? Eco-friendly shopping bags and grocery totes

Why should anyone care about what bag they put their shopping in? A couple of plastic bags here and there does not seem to make much difference does it? Well it does if you work out how many bags it adds up to over a year or two. If we think about what plastic carrier bags are made from and how the quantity we use in a year adds up and is using up a valuable resource. It is easier to get into the habit of taking our own re-usable bags to the shop with us instead of relying on plastic carrier bags than it might seem.

It makes sense to use re-usable bags for practical reasons too they are stronger than plastic carrier bags and easier to carry goods in. You can chose a style that suits you and the type of shopping you want to use the bags for, after all when did you see a plastic carrier bag with side pockets?

Ways to encourage the use of re-usable bags when shopping.

The easiest way to get into the habit of using re-usable fabric bags is to make sure you keep a supply of re-usable bags by the door at home, so that you will see them when you go to walk out of the door.

Keeping some useful shopping bags in the car is also a good way to make sure you have not forgotten to take your own bags when you are shopping.

• Take a bag with you in your coat pocket or in your handbag . A light-weight fabric bag that folds-up small to fit in your pocket or handbag bag is a great idea for those small impulse purchases.

Pretty soon taking your own shopping bags to the store and using your own bags becomes second nature to you.

Some will say it makes no difference to the environment and that steps like this are too small to make any difference. My response to such comments would be that we have to try to do what you can and to do something is better than to do nothing at all. If we all try to be responsible in the simple daily things we do such as not using plastic bags for grocery shopping , then together we might just make a difference.

On this page are ideas for the type of re-usable shopping bags you can buy or how to make them. It does not matter where you buy them or what style suits you best as long as you use them. Supermarkets and shops know we need to stop using up the resources that go into making plastic carrier bags they know that using them is not good for their image that is why they are selling alternatives to them at the check-outs.

If you want to be re-cycle as well - you can always make your own re-usable bags from a piece of furnishing fabric, left over off cuts or curtains that you have become tired of will work well. It is simple to make your own re-usable bag here is how to -

1. Cut two matching squares or rectangles of fabric. (The size of the bag you want to make + seam allowances).
2. Stitch up three sides - (you can stitch along the seams twice to strengthen them if you want to).
3. Next turn over and neaten the top edge ( the one that remains open)
4. Now all you need to do is to stitch on two handles - then your home made re-cycled fabric re-usable shopper is made and ready to use.

If you want to you can make the handles out of an old belt cut in half and stitched onto the bag or a length of webbing fabric, a piece of thick rope or just two lengths of suitable fabric stitched together.

In the past people would use a cotton or string bags for carrying their shopping. Then in the 1960's and 70's thin plastic became available to be used as carrier bags. At the time this seemed like a good idea, they were cheap, hygienic and light to carry.

• Plastic carrier bags cause landfill site problems because they take so long to break down.
• The process for making plastic carrier bags uses fossil fuel resources; derived from oil. Oil is a limited resource.
• Plastic carrier bags cause litter problems when they are discarded. When plastic carrier bags become litter they are a danger to wildlife.
• Plastic carrier bags are a danger to marine animals.

  People dump rubbish by the shoreline and plastic bags can be carried out to sea.

• Plastic carrier bags can cause the a death of marine wildlife. A white, almost transparent carrier bag looks like a jelly fish which looks like food to some marine creatures. to eat Whales and sea mammals can swallow the plastic carrier bag thinking it is food. The bag causes the creatures death by blocking its digestive system, it may starve to death.