Plastic Bags - Just Say No

Although I try my best, I know I am by no means the perfect advocate of sustainability. I think like most people, I'm slowly but surely trying to adopt lifestyle changes at both work and home - all in hopes of being a more responsible member of the global community.

But it seems the more information I come across on sustainability issues, the more I kick myself in the pants for not doing something sooner. Using reusable bags instead of plastic bags is a perfect example.

Quick facts on plastic bags:

(from reusablebags.com)

• Over 500,000,000,000 (that's 500 billion) plastic bags are consumed each year worldwide.
• It's takes over 60 billion barrels of oil to produce 500 billion plastic bags.
• The average family accumulates 60 plastic bags in only four trips to the grocery store.
• Plastic bags are not biodegradable.

It's truly shocking when you think about it. The waste, the use of so much oil, the pollution - it's all so easily remedied by using reusable bags.

So why is there a mainstream reluctance to adopting such a simple practice of bringing your own bags while shopping?

I asked myself that very question because it wasn't until about two years ago that I started using my own bags. I remembered that along with a natural reluctance to change, I had the perception that it was too expensive and inconvenient. I think it's that way with most lifestyle changes - that no matter how small a change might be, we'll come up with some excuse. "It's too much money... I don't have the time."

But at the end of the day, it's such a cheap and easy habit to start. I spent a total of $10 on five bags and it's been worth every penny. It took a few times to the store to start remembering to grab the bags before I left the house, but after that it turned into a habit I don't think about.

So if you already use your own bags while shopping - good for you, you're ahead of most people.

If you aren't - no need to feel guilty. Everyone gets on board at different times. But now you have information and a choice in front of you. No excuses, just an informed decision on whether to contribute to 500,000,000,000 plastic bags per year - or to start making a difference yourself. Take the step step and I promise you won't regret it.