It is acutely important to avoid the use of single-use plastic bags because they are obviously very detrimental to the environment. Over 500 billion single-use bags are produced every year and take between 250 to 1000 years to biodegrade resulting in a negative impact on the environment. The idea of banning plastic bags is noble, what with people converting to using reusable bags in a jiffy. Biodegradable shopper carrier bags for groceries, books, beach accessories, and other items needed on a daily basis can be made from environmentally friendly material.
Why Tote Bags Made of Environmentally Friendly Material are Important
The plastic bags are useful for some 12 minutes but they take over 400 years to degrade. Plastic bags that end up in landfills are not recycled at all, with only 1% to 5% of all plastic bags used in the United States being recycled. Using the sturdy tote bags repeatedly is a better option for the environment in the long-run. There are actually reusable bags that are made in an environmentally friendly way and they produce even the least amount of waste and carbon emissions as compared to plastic bags that are disposable.
Tote bags can replace plastic in many scenarios: to get groceries from the farmers market, taking lunch or snacks for work or school, going for a picnic at the beach or park, when going shoe shopping or any other casual activity. Korovou bags, canvas, cotton, jute & hemp come in a compact flat pack so it is easy to store it for on-the-go uses. It actually takes some time to adopt the culture of using totes instead of plastic bags, but it helps a lot in reducing the impact on the environment.
The materials used, the manufacturing process, and the imprint that the tote bag leaves behind on our environment is what makes it ‘eco-friendly’.
The most sustainable tote bags are made from organic, biodegradable materials like:The most sustainable tote bags are made from organic, biodegradable materials like:
- Organic cotton – not grown with synthetic pesticides & fertilizers
- Jute – An organic product obtained from jute plants which is non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
- Hemp – relatively quickly and doesn’t require much water, is biodegradable
- Canvas: a combination of recycled or organic cotton that is strong.
Ethical production also matters. The best eco-friendly bags should have been manufactured from facilities that pay good wages and practice good working conditions of employees. Other aspects that are typical for outstanding sustainable brands’ performance are local production, the use of water-based inks, and minimalistic packaging.
One can also think about the notion of durability and disposability equally as well. In terms of sustainability, an organic cotton bag that has been made with nice design and would last for a long time is way better than one that would disintegrate after a few uses. Of course, no tote bag is immune to wear and tear and is going to be with the user for eternity, but better quality bags obviously is replaced less frequently.
Final Thoughts
The many choices of sustainably made tote bags have made it possible for there to be quite fashionable and multifunctional. By using organic cotton, recycling shade, fair manufacturing, and creative thinking, it is easy for the consumer to eliminate plastic waste. The reusable bags should be within easy reach whether by hanging near the door or even in the purse for carrying groceries, shopping among other uses. If you are willing to give some conscious amount of time, you can feel good about doing your part for the planet.