5 Benefits of Using Compartment Shopping Bags
March 30, 2022
Are you fed up with regular shopping bags? Here are some benefits of compartment shopping bags that’ll compel you to purchase them!
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We live in a world that thrives on plastic. Since plastic is everywhere, it gets pretty challenging to actually avoid it. However, finding alternatives to common plastic everyday items can make our lives more sustainable. But before we jump into that, let’s take a look at plastic’s origins and history.
The first mass-produced synthetic plastic (that we use today) was created by Leo Baekeland, a chemist, in 1907. It was called Bakelite. The world was picking up pace — electricity had to be provided to industries and homes, and a synthetic insulator was needed that was durable, heat resistant, and pliable. This is where bakelite came in. It could be malleable — it had the potential to be moulded into any shape.
The world changed overnight — we were no longer dependent on precious natural resources and the cost they came with. When plastic came into the scene, material items became cheaper and within the reach of every average person.
WW II also started around this time and gave a boom to the plastic industry: body armor, helmets, robes, and parachutes were created with durable plastics that could withstand heat and pressure.
After the war, the production of plastic just went up. It was seen as a safe, clean, and inexpensive alternative. It soon started to replace paper, glass, wood, and steel.
Plastic is everywhere. Consider how much plastic we throw away in a day: there’s that coffee cup lid, plastic straws, a wrapper from your favorite chocolate bar, the plastic bag groceries came in, the single-use plastic utensils you got with your takeaway —the list just goes on.
Plastic items are pretty convenient, but they come at a high cost. In 2016, the US was the highest generator of plastic trash globally — 46.3 million tons — according to a 2020 study.
By the time you purchase these disposable products, they’ve already made the situation a little worse.
And then comes the part where we throw the plastic away. You probably assume that by tossing plastic away it will be recycled and reused. You couldn’t be more wrong. Only a fraction of plastic is actually recycled. This belief has been shaped by centuries of misleading messages by capitalistic industries like petroleum and gas that make plastics and the beverages industry that solely depends on plastic (No, beverage companies aren’t ever going back to glass bottles when plastics makes for a cheaper alternative).
Each year, we produce nearly 400 million tonnes of plastic and out of that, 40 percent is single-use like chips packets, straws, shoppers, plastic cutlery, cups, etc.
Since most of the plastic isn’t recycled, it’s usually littered, landfilled, and incinerated. Plastic isn’t biodegradable — unlike paper, glass, or food, plastic just lies around in landfills and will continue to do for so hundreds of years. Centuries later, this plastic breaks down into what we call microplastics, which then continue to obliviously contaminate our environment. It’s gotten so bad that recently, microplastics were found in human blood.
Experts suggest that the only way to reduce the use of plastics is by cutting back on them. Though you may not be able to completely remove plastics from your life, you can make a few conscious changes to ensure you’re leading a sustainable life and doing the environment some good.
The first step in quitting plastics is by eliminating the use of single-use plastic that we discard without a second thought. Have a hard look at what you consume, and find better alternatives for that. Start with something small.
Here are some of the most common things that contain plastic:
If you’re set on this journey and want to see less plastic in your household and life, you can start using some long-lasting and environmentally friendly plastic alternatives.
Here are a few alternatives to keep in mind:
Stainless steel is one of the most environmentally friendly raw materials out there due to its durability and recyclable nature. It’s tough as a whole and super easy to clean (and can last generations if taken care of). You can go for stainless steel options for lunch boxes, kitchen storage, cups, and more.
Glass isn’t biodegradable but it’s definitely inexpensive and recyclable. Many food items are already packed in glass containers, including jam, honey, nut butter, pickles, mushrooms, sauces, etc. You can upcycle these jars into food storage. You can also use them to store drinks and leftovers. And, you can get rid of your plastic lunchboxes and use glass ones instead.
Platinum Silicone is made of sand and is very durable, flexible, and heat tolerant. So, you can use its products to cook, bake, or boil without worrying about them denaturing. Though, you’ll have to look for platinum silicone products that don’t have plastic fillers.
Plastic wrap and bags are used pretty often, but we can replace them with a beeswax-coated cloth. It’s easy to use and clean, and also smells pretty great.
Plastic bags can also be replaced with bags made out of natural fiber cloth like wool, organic cotton, or bamboo. They can be recycled, reused, and composted.
Wood is a renewable resource and can replace plastic in kitchens. You can opt for wooden cutlery, cutting boards, cleaning brushes, and more.
Bamboos grow very fast, making them a great renewable resource. You can use bamboo-made products to replace plastic tableware, straws, and bottles. It’s eco-friendly, durable, lightweight, and compostable as well.
Pottery and ceramics have been used for centuries. We can use them too. They offer a great waterproof alternative to plastics and can be used for tableware and food storage.
Paper has been used for packing for a long, long time. Why not go back to it? It’s better than plastic and can be composted. However, do keep in mind that it can’t be recycled infinitely.
Cardboard is also a great alternative to plastic (as long as it’s not coated in plastic). Many companies are using cardboard to package their products. You can use cardboard boxes to replace plastic storage containers in your home.
Americans use 100 billion plastic bags on an average a year. That’s about 365 bags a person per year. And, well, they can last in the environement for over 500 years.
Alternatives:
Did you know that the US made up 37 percent of food disposables in 2010? How can you stop using plastic single-use plastic containers?
Around 34 billion plastic bottles end up in the oceans every single year. What can you do to curb this?
According to a survey conducted in 2020, 5.3 million Americans used 10 or more boxes of plastic wrap in just one year.
The toothbrushes we use are disposable items that have to be discarded every three months or so. Instead, switch to bamboo toothbrushes. They’re eco-friendly and prevent you from using excessive plastic.
Rather than opting for plastic bottles, go with stainless steel ones. They’re durable, reusable, and maintain temperature very well.
If you don’t want to carry your own coffee mug around, you can go for eco-friendly tumblers. They may have plastic tops but they’re way more environmentally friendly than cups that are completely plastic.
Sanitary pads are one of the highest contributors to plastic waste. Alternatively, use menstrual cups to cut back on plastic.
Shop reusable grocery bags for a more eco-friendly approach to life. Keep a cloth bag with you at all times.
Ditch plastic garbage bags for compostable ones. They’re readily available at reasonable rates and are a better alternative to plastic bags.
Stainless steel cutlery isn’t ideal when a picnic is on the table. Instead, go for bamboo plates, cups, spoons, and straws.
Ready to make a sustainable and eco-friendly shift in your life? Cut back on plastic as much as you can and go for plastic-free alternatives.
If you’re looking for organic cotton grocery bags, have a look at the collection at Sammy Shopping Bags. The family-run business is transforming the world one bag at a time. Their bags are highly durable, practical, and reusable. Made from recyclable cotton, you can shop canvas tote bags online, wholesale organic cotton bags and more from their website.
You can reuse, rewash, and recycle them, making these tote bags a great alternative to regular plastic bags.
Check out their store to purchase eco-friendly reusable bags or contact them now.
Are you fed up with regular shopping bags? Here are some benefits of compartment shopping bags that’ll compel you to purchase them!
