The Plastic Bag Pandemic: Step 2 - Finding a Solution

 "Totes that look so great you'll actually want to remember to bring them with you."

That's the slogan for one of the many tote bag companies that are out there; and there are a lot! If you don't bring your own bags with you because you find them clunky and unattractive, now is the time to start looking.

You can find tote bags in every color of the rainbow, in whatever pattern you desire. A lot of places are even willing to do custom personalizations.

If you don't care what the bag looks like, there are enough varieties to satisfy even the most picky person's needs. Canvas bags, mesh bags, bags made from recycled plastic bottles, bags that fold up small enough to fit in a pocket... the list goes on.

You'd be the coolest kid on the block!

Finding a tote bag is made especially easy by the fact that most stores, especially chains, have their own tote bags that they sell right next to the cash!

If you don't want to buy brand new bags, you can find bags made from a variety of recycled materials - including this Elmo bag, which just happens to be made from recycled t-shirts.

Heck, you could even take up crocheting and make yourself a tote bag out of those pesky plastic bags!

You can use your tote bags to share the message with others; imagine how many bags you would keep out of landfills if you convinced even two people to start using re-usable bags? The numbers are mind boggling!

Last time I checked, hands worked pretty well when it came to carrying small items; I don't know about you, but if I'm picking up toothpaste, I really don't need a bag to carry it in.

If you find yourself in a store, without a bag of your own, and you're buying just an item or two; say the magic words! "I don't need a bag today."

;) It all helps! 

It we all do our part, we can curtail the Plastic Bag Pandemic and prevent them from ending up as a blight on what should be a beautiful clean world.

B.Y.O.B. <- It's the best choice for everyone!

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The Plastic Bag Pandemic: Step 1 - Admitting There Is A Problem

It's nothing new, we all know that each one of us uses crazy amount of plastic bags in a year.

It is a simple thing to do your part and ensure that at least a few less bags make into the landfills or become the nasty litter that we all have seen.

Only thing is, it's just so darn easy to say 'YUP!" when the cashier asks you if you need a bag. In fact it is a great trial to carry a cloth bag around the store with you, if the weight of it doesn't get you down, the embarrassment of knowing you are protecting the environment might just be your undoing.

Honestly though, it amounts to laziness - that's about it. Anyone can make a difference, but few will put in the minute extra it takes.

The thing is, if the average person uses 500 plastic bags in one year; by the time you have made it through 30 blissful shopping years, you will have used and trashed a whopping 15,000 plastic bags. And where do these bags end up? We all know it, but most people just pretend not to see.

This mongoose is in the jungle of Sasan Gir, which happens to be the only home of Asiatic Lions: 

We've all seen scenes like this.

And I don't know about you, but when I finally get up the nerve to go scuba diving, this isn't what I'm hoping to see:

If you're already using reusable bags, I tip my hat to you. If you're not, maybe you'd be willing to think about starting. No one is going to blame you if you slip up every once in a while, but if you can use half the bags you normally would - well that's still 250 bags a year. (Give or take).

And an advantage for you: You don't need to worry about a can of beans squashing your big toe cause you overloaded a flimsy plastic bag!

Tomorrow we're going to talk about the options available for anyone who wants to curb their plastic bag problem - be sure to tune in!

Photos via moonlightbulb, vaidyarupal, cinto2 and kouk

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