Think before you discard anything — Can you reuse or re-purpose it?
Welcome to Week 3 of the 50 Ways to Reduce Your Waste Line. Last week, we talked about saying “No” to double cups, sleeves, lids, and straws when possible. This week, we invite you to think before you discard anything — Can you reuse or re-purpose it?
One Thing You Can Do
Reuse plastic bags. Plastic bags are typically offered after a purchase is made, so keep a bunch nearby when shopping, in your purse, car, knapsack, etc. so it will be easily accessible for you to reuse. This will also allow you to decline receipt of more bags. There are many other ways to reuse plastic bags. For example, you can use them to cover plants from frost, use as extra padding when packing or use as gloves to cover your hands. See the following website for 60+ ways to reuse plastic bags – https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2015/08/60-ways-to-reuse-plastic-bags.html.
Part 2 Concerning Facts
Canadians use 9 to 15 billion plastic bags a year, which is enough to circle the Earth more than 55 times, according to the Greener Footprints website. Plastic bags can be placed in your recycling bin in some municipalities, however they are not biodegradable. So what happens to the bags when they are recycled? They are taken to a recycling centre and are melted down to create new batches of plastic bags. This process is much more efficient than making the bags from scratch and gentler on the environment.
However, most plastic bags are not recycled. They accumulate in the ocean, they litter our streets and natural areas, often clogging drainage systems and contributing to flooding. They take at least 1,000 years to break down. They fragment into smaller and smaller pieces, making them more likely to be eaten by marine and land animals. They also are made up of petroleum, so continued and increasing use of it accelerates the depletion of valuable fossil fuels. According to Greener Footprints, 8.7 plastic shopping bags contain enough embodied petroleum energy to drive a car one kilometre. (David Suzuki Foundation)
So reuse your plastic bag, wash it regularly and recycle it when it cannot be used any longer!
