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Still using plastic bags? … enough already!

If you’re still using and accepting plastic bags when you shop — I really can’t imagine why. With all the information at our fingertips, it’s almost criminal to continue this destructive, irresponsible behavior.

Want more information? Click on this link. I kind of triple-dare anyone to use a plastic bag after seeing this.

Question: does anyone have a GREEN alternative to using plastic garbage bags in the kitchen? I’ve eliminated them almost everywhere — in the yard, I just use my trash can or bundle things up with twine. When shopping, I either don’t accept plastic or paper, or I use my own cloth bags. But I haven’t yet figured out what to do with my kitchen garbage. I’ve always used plastic bags there and am not sure what to replace them with? Is there some kind of biodegradable bag I could buy that anyone knows about?

Here’s a column I wrote a while back about my transition from plastic to cloth:

The one area I’m still struggling with is trying to not use styrofoam packaging or plastic packaging when I get something (a meal or drink or whatever) to go. I‘ve written about wanting to make this transition, but it’s an arduous change-over, and I admit I’m not doing that well in keeping this commitment to my wonderful, gorgeous, infinitely amazing earth (and no, I don’t think I’m waxing overly sentimental or hyperbolic!). I’ve stocked my car with reusable containers to have at hand, but keep forgetting or feel “weird” carrying them into the stores! I’ve got to get over that!

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Posted on March 24th, 2009Comments RSS Feed
6 Responses to Still using plastic bags? … enough already!
  1. Hi Mary Catherine,

    I use empty half-gallon milk cartons for kitchen garbage. They degrade rather nicely, especially with the items with which I stuff them.

    By the way, Arbor Day is coming up on April 22nd, perhaps a column about tree planting might be in order. :)

  2. I’m so glad to see you write about this again, it’s a subject that can’t be talked about enough – I also have been struggling with what to do with my kitchen waste and you’ve inspired me to do some research, this is what I’ve come up with:

    http://www.ecoproducts.com/Home/home_biobags/home_index_biobags.htm

    Perhaps we’re going to have to start bringing our own cups and metal food containers for take-away food…in fact maybe restaurants could start giving discounts to those who do!

  3. Howard and Emily — thanks to you both for your ideas. If anyone else has anything more, let us all know.

  4. […] MC Coolidge writes about her struggles to give up plastic shopping […]

  5. John W. Perkins
    March 25, 2009 at 10:10 am

    I weave my shopping bags out of the area’s abundant Kudzu vines. I usually don’t pick all the leaves off to give it a “primitive” look.

    The only drawback is small items sometimes fall out between the weave and are forever lost.

  6. Right John ……

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