The Skinny >>

Some food for thought when you hear the question: Paper or plastic?

It takes an estimated 12 million barrels of oil to produce the 100 billion plastic bags Americans consume annually. Plastic bags either linger in our landfills for a really, really long time or drift into our waterways.

Once in water, plastic bags become a deadly lunch for fish and marine life.  Because they don’t biodegrade, our disposable satchels will remain in the ocean, breaking down into tiny bits that become impossible to remove.

Though they seem more ‘natural,’ paper bags are no better. Their production process relies on cutting down trees and then using large amounts of water, chemicals and fossil fuels to turn these precious natural resources into paper pulp.

Work It >>

Take a vow right now that when you’re asked to choose between paper or plastic, you’ll whip out a reusable bag instead. Each one eliminates an average of 1,000 disposable versions over its lifetime.

Stash reusable bags in your purse, car, bike basket or by your front door—or in all those places. Maybe you’ve tried this tactic before but still forget to BYOB. I’ve found that refusing a bag even when you don’t have your tote – and juggling items in your hands or piling them into your cart – will force you into the habit quickly.

Some of our favorite reusable options  *Sleek and colorful: BAGGU ( and part of our Starter Kit).

*Grocery shopping kits: Blue Avocado.

*Made by hand: June 15 Collection.

*Long lasting and roomy: LL Bean Boat and Tote.

Earn Your Stripes >>

Channel your inner crafter! Transform existing materials into reusable satchels made with your own two hands. While perfect for your own use, these also make unique gifts for those in need of an eco-nudge.

*In seconds, turn pillowcases and feedbags into sturdy sacks by cutting a hole at the top of each side.

*Give new life to those old tees with just a basic sewing stitch.

*Even novice sewers can construct a set of matchinggrocery bags from sheets.

*With a bit more skill, sheer curtains can become produce bags.

Related Content >>

• We Heart Blue Avocado Shopping Bag Kits
• Umbra on Reusable Bags Via Grist.org
  
• As if You didn’t Need Another Reason to Ditch the Plastic
• A Photographic Journey Shines a Light on the Pacific Plastic Problem at Opportunity Green 2009
• Green Countries, Plastic Bag Ban and Dot Eco