Plastic bags are a such a common commodity in our everyday lives that we rarely stop to think about the potential harm that we’re causing when we use them. The average usage of a plastic bag is around 15 minutes, 30 minutes at most. But the lifetime of a plastic bag, even after it has served its purpose, is way longer than that. The disadvantages of using a plastic bag far outweigh the benefits. Here are 6 reasons why you should why you should make the move to say no to plastic bags and start using reusable cloth bags instead.
Pollute the Environment
Since plastic bags are so weightless, they tend to get blown away easily, getting caught in trees, fences, and other places. This means that eventually, millions of fragments of plastic bags end up polluting our cities, lakes, oceans, and so much more. Not only is this an eyesore, it is also very dangerous to the environment and to wildlife and marine life that ends up ingesting these fragments of plastic.
Climate Change
Scientists have postulated that plastic bag usage is one of the leading factors of climate change. Not only are plastic bags are made out of non-renewable resources, they also rarely break down or degrade and are also almost impossible to recycle. Their production process also ends up wreaking havoc on the environment, resulting in the emission of greenhouse gases and other harmful chemicals.
Declutter Your Home
How many of us have plastic bags cluttering up our homes and taking up unnecessary space? They tend to take over the house; you can usually find plastic bags stuffed into other plastic bags, into drawers, the pantry cupboard, and pretty much wherever else there appears to be even a little bit of space! Switching to cloth bags will mean you won’t have to deal with this mess anymore.
Health Hazard
As we mentioned earlier discarded plastic bags can end up polluting the environment and eventually end up in the digestive systems of animals and fish, which we then eat. The chemicals in the plastic enter our body through the food we eat, ultimately causing harm to our bodies. Remember, what goes around comes around, so if you pollute the environment, it will end up polluting your body.
Fashion Statement
Lugging around plastic bags ain’t so pretty. Get yourself a cool cloth bag that is comfortable, washable, and reusable. This way, it can double as your handbag/purse on the way to the store and as your grocery bag on your way back. Plus, you’ll be making a statement about saying no to plastic bags. And who knows, maybe you’ll encourage someone else to pick up a cloth bag the next time they’re heading out for the store!
Save Money
Switching from using plastic bags to cloth bags can also be quite friendly on your wallet. Depending on the country you live in, chances are you are having to pay extra for each of those bags. The cost may seem really small, but trust me, you’ll be shocked at how much it can add up to over a lifetime! And some stores also tend to give discounts and loyalty points for customers using cloth bags, so that’s another bonus.
