Plastic free: Shopping Bags

EnvirWoman,

I applaud your goal to go plastic-free, and congratulate you on your steps so far.  I am watching for hints to meet my goal of having zero-waste. 

But I'd like to question why you seek biodegradable bags? The stash of plastic bags that I had collected in my closet over a few years is now GONE ... not directly to the recycle bin at grocery store, but after dozens of further trips home from the store - full and put to re-use.  I never go to the store without an old bag crumpled up in my coat pocket or daypack.  I've got the cashiers at my local store trained not to automatically pull out a new bag as I plop down my yogurt, fruit & veggies on the counter.  I use my own bag or don't buy anything.  When rips appear (or big holes ... as I found last week), then they get their appropriate burial in the recycle coffin.  I also still have a cloth bag from  Eaton's - probably 10 years old - that I use.  I feel it's always better to avoid throwing things away in the first place - even if it is biodegradable!

And then there's our trash/garbage bags ... more plastic.  I hear there are biodegradable doggie bags availabe in North Van (I'll find out the details and post), but haven't heard of biodegradable trash bags ... yet.

Why biodegradable?    

Excellent question greensight! I've got 2 reasons why I'm on a quest for biodegradable bags.

1. I have yet to conquer the 'What do I do with my garbage?" challenge. One of the rules for Living Plastic-Free in 2007 is that I'm allowed to use or reuse any of the plastic I had in my life as of Dec 31 2006. That includes the bundle of plastic bags I drove around in the back seat of MyLittleCar for many months (okay, okay, I'll admit it, it was more like a year!). My teflon mind (nothing sticks to it) could never remember to give them their proper burial in Safeway's recycling coffin. Eventually this mother lode of environmental pollution is going to be used up and I'll need to find a replacement. (Could use paper bags, but don't know how the neighbours will like that).

2. EnviroWoman is starting to get visions of grandeur. Quite deviously I am beginning to plot an evil-green masterplan to lobby a major Canadian retailer to use biodegradable plastic bags in their stores. I'd like to have some potential suppliers identified for them, so it's easier for them to say 'Sure why not'. Maybe one day, providing shoppers with biodegradable plastic bags will become the Canadian retail standard. Like you, I have become a bag lady (or in your case, possibly a bag man, choose whichever is appropriate). But let's face it, we are the rare ducks. Most people want the convenience of the standard plasic bag.  

If you watched the video I linked to in the original message, one of the fellows says biodegradable 'plastic' bags erode into waste matter with no ill effects/toxic chemicals leeched into our dear Mother Earth. I'd be okay with that. Of course still gotta do some research to see if it's true.

Good luck on your zero waste initiative. Perhaps on Dec 31/07, we can compare pictures of my plastic shrine (collecting minor and major sins for the year), and your (hopefully) empty garbage container.

You know, it's odd...I always thought my mission would be Animal Rights, not fighting the evil plastic empire....

Plastic free. Cruelty Free. Vegetarian. Chocoholic

it is all connected

Hi Envirowoman,

Check out Ecosafe Biodegradable Plastics. Garbage bags and doggie bags can be purchased online at:

http://cdn.ecosafeplastics.com/qs/category/25/2584/0/0

We started buying the doggie bags after seeing them at Mundy Park in Coquitlam. We were impressed after reaching into a knapsack that hadn't been used for about 3 months and finding a mysterious green powder on the bottom. There were just enough fragments left to deduce that this was all that was left of an unused(!) doggie bag. It may have been radioactive for all we know, but it was an impressive display of degrading.

I don't know of a retailer that sells the product in the Lower Mainland, we get the doggie bags from a nearby dog trainer. We haven't tried the kitchen liners or trash bags. Yet. But your blog inspires me.

Here's an interesting site showing the amount of plastic bags we use. It includes a plastic bag counter. Evidently we use 1,000,000 bags per minute.

Check out BringYourOwn.org

Hi,

You can buy the Ecosafe biodegradable garbage bags at Capers. Also, Capers sells a lot of its frozen foods and deli foods in biodegradable 'plastic' containers that are made from corn.

Good luck with your quest to be plastic-free in 2007! Quite inspiring!

Hi EnviroWoman,

I think it's fantastic what you're doing about not using plastic and sharing your tips of what alternatives you find with the rest of us trying similar things to reduce our enviro footprints!  Keep going!  I admire your determination and strong will.  (I’ve also been looking around at my local health food store for a plastic-free antiperspirant for you :)  No luck yet!)

Some ideas for you for reusable bags:

1. If you're into fashion (and I suspect you are quite stylish), try http://www.bringyourownbag.ca/  I just bought one at EPIC last weekend with the STOP USING PLASTIC - BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) message.  It's a bit pricey, if we consider getting everything for close to nothing 'cause of externalized costs, etc. but it's locally designed and made in Vancouver (per the owner).  I find it a bit bulkier than the other cloth bags in my collection, but it looks like it will last for a long time!

2. Another source of really good cloth bags: BC Liquor Stores.  I don't always see them, but if you find one, I highly recommend them.  They're great for groceries - they have two long pockets on the sides for wine bottles! ... or for the 1L returnable milk bottles - unfortunately plastic cap but perhaps a MINOR SIN :) or for eggs - I never have to worry about eggs opening up or getting crushed.

Re: Biodegradable Plastic Bags vs. Bring Your Own Cloth Bags, while "biodegradable plastic" may work better when composted (like with the bags from MEC) or when landfilled, I understand it causes problems when mixed with non-biodegradable plastic in the recycling processes.  Typically, when plastics are "recycled", they are really down-cycled, which means you get lower and lower grade plastics for lower quality requirement uses (i.e., beverage containers don't get recycled into beverage containers, but rather into something like plastic bags or other non-food / drinking water container things).  But when biodegradable plastics get added into the mix, it may decrease the integrity of the “new” plastic, leading us to invent new uses for this plastic or double-bagging - heaven help us!  (Sorry, I don't have a reference for you on this, but this is what I've gathered on the topic.)

My personal motto on the subject is “if you bring your wallet when you go shopping, why would you not bring a bag?”  When was the last time stores gave away their merchandise because someone forgot to bring their wallet with them?

As for garbage bin liners, try composting your organics, which gets rid most of the wet stuff.  City of Vancouver offers subsidized apartment size worm composters (I’ve got one on my balcony).  And for the rest of the garbage stuff, of which by now you should have very little, some people just bring their garbage pail to the apartment garbage bin and deposit the undesirables in there directly.  I’m not really all that sure whether - or why - the City would require all garbage to be deposited into garbage bins in plastic bags (biodegradable or not).  You’d think they’d prefer no additional plastic for the landfill.

I look forward to learning of your other discoveries on the No Plastics front!

If you're looking for good biodegradable, compostable bags, check out BioBags. Product listing is on the US site:http://www.biobagusa.com/Consumer.htm. Contact the Canadian distributor to find out who carries it in your area http://www.biobag.ca/BioBag/English/contact_us1.htm.

Well:
Being environmentally friendly and reduce-reuse-recycling is very admirable. However, what is the point of using bio-degradable? Isn't it simply a plastic bag that breaks down, in 50 years, rather than 100 years? That's truly environmental. (If that's what bio-degradable means.)
Anyway: I think that if you went to Value Village, Safeway, or the Salvation Army, you could find cloth bags that are indefinitely reusable (until they tear, then you resew them) and can be broken down and recycled
Is it worthwhile? I think so. I've been using cloth bags for over a year and a half, now. Because I've had to. I've developed an allergy to the plastic bag. (Go figure: it stumps even my allergist.) I had previously attempted to be environmentally friendly and use cloth bags. However, it would last a week, maybe two, then I'd forget the cloth bags, and I'd be back to using plastic. However, now, I have to use the cloth bags: I don't forget them...ever. They are the only way that I don't end up with scaly hands. So, I don't forget them.
I suppose that the only way that we, as humans, are going to change our habits is when we have no choice. That's sad, but that is the way that it is. In Ireland, there's a 10 or 15 cent tax on the plastic shopping bag: It caused the over-use of plastic shopping bags to trend-down some 90-95%. Hit the consumer in the pocketbook, they suddenly change. Huh, who knew? (Everyone knows that, but only a few countries use such knowledge.)

I was at Save-On the other day in their organic/natural section. They had a great deal more selection of this brand "method" that makes non-toxic, bio-degradable, environmentally friendly cleaning/household products. They were selling large and kitchen sized garbage bags made by method that might be what you are looking for.

The ban on plastic bags is becoming increasingly popular in certain US and European stores.
Perhaps you've also heard of the latest Anya Hindmarch's creation? The UK designer has launched a cotton tote with the slogan "I'm Not A Plastic Bag", aimed are reducing the use of plastic carriers. These totes have sold out in the UK and have become a huge hit. With a low cost of only 5 british pounds, they are resold for hundreds of $$$ on Ebay.

They'll probably be big in North America too, keep an eye on Anya Hindmarch boutiques as well as her website, Fred Segal stores, RonHerman.com or Holt Renfrew stores in Canada.

Hey there.

If you like the basket idea instead of bags, maybe this would be a good option (although I can't remember how plastic-free it is):

http://www.reisenthel-shop.de/product_info.php?produktnummer...

You can pick one up at Homeworks on Davie Street... saw them there just last week.

Have you located a great source for biodegradable trash bags? I live in a condo and don't have access to composting so need something to put my trash in.

Apparently Capers and Choices are, if not carrying bio-bags at the moment, looking into them. I have also heard that Home Hardware may sell some. I use Bag-to-nature, from a company out of Ontario.

 Good luck. I hope you find some. 

move, wake up, change, shake up, SPEAK OUT, Now. Don't make a promise you won't keep, don't betray the Earth beneath your feet. If we don't go within, we go without.

Hello, my name is Robert
I have read all your comments and find that people do really care about the environment.
I do have a question relating to the biodegradable doggy waste bags. I need to find a manufacturer that can make a biodegradable waste bag with a "drawstring". This is for an animal hospital use design.
Can't seem to find anything on the market. I am from western Ontario and would like to find somewhere close to this area. Can anyone help with this dilema?
thank-you for your time

Robert,
What about a doggie waste bag that has handles that are easy to tie? I could get the name for you.

I use them and they are easier, I bet, than drawstrings.

let me know if you want me to get the name for you.

kd

Hi KD
Thanks for responding, I have tried the handle bags and they are ok, but we need to try to find ones with drawstring. Why, because they are just much easier to pull and toss, especially working with a humane society org. Lots of doggies to tend for. But if nothing is to be found, we will just have to do with the tie strings. take care

Hi everyone
I need a spacific plastic bag to be designed. It is a doggy waste bag that I need for a small business in animal care I am trying to launch.
This bag needs to be biodegradable and have a plastic drawstring.I know there is a doggy bags for this cause,but it is the drawstring ( not tie) that is the key to this dilema (when the waste comes off a conveyer system, it enters the bag, the weight of the waste causes the plastic string to close the bag and eliminates any tying and fumbling or possible body contact with feces.
I need to know if there is a place in ontario that has or can make custom made bags for my needs.
thanks and hope someone can help me. take care

Donate your bags.

I've started using Cloth Bags for shopping like a lot of people have. But I just read something on The Richmond Food Bank website. They need more plastic shopping bags, as fewer and fewer used bags are being donated to them now. They need clean shopping bags for putting the food in for their Clients. If anyone still has a stockpile of clean, reusable, plastic shopping bags, that is one suggestion for them.

I save all the nice bags I get from the stores when I buy clothing or ornaments, etc. and I donate them to several Second Hand Stores like the RAPS (Richmond Animal Protection Society) Thrift Store on Granville & No. 3 Rd, in Richmond, or the Hospital Thrift Store in Steveston Village. I seldom throw things out, if they can be reused by someone else.

Thank you.

wow! it strikes me that there is an opportunity here to furnish food bank recipients with cloth bags and require that they use them to contain their food donations. kind of like having a bank card is required to take money out of the ATM, a cloth bag could be required to take food out of the food bank!

kate