I interrupt the regularly scheduled Flaunt It! Monday to voice a concern I recently had. To date I had been happy with pretty much every product that companies had sent my way to review and giveaway. I love being able to introduce these companies that are really trying to bring “green” into the mainstream and practice what they preach. However, at the end of last week I received one that immediately bothered me.
I was approached to review a product, a reusable grocery bag, and I told the company to send one over. I had not even looked at the site. I guess I assume when my Flaunt It! Monday Sponsorship mentions truly green products, it explains itself.
So, Friday seemed to be the day for product reviews to hit my mail box, I got several at once! One was the reusable bag company I agreed to review. I will not mention brand names since I hope this company will rethink it’s product and become a true green product in the future. When I pulled these two bags out of a virgin paper, plastic bubble wrap mailer I already knew there was an issue. Next issue? The tag… 100% Polyester (from madehow.com):
Polyester is a synthetic fiber derived from coal, air, water, and petroleum. Developed in a 20th-century laboratory, polyester fibers are formed from a chemical reaction between an acid and alcohol. In this reaction, two or more molecules combine to make a large molecule whose structure repeats throughout its length. Polyester fibers can form very iong molecules that are very stable and strong.
Seriously, there is a reason that my father-in-laws Polyester suits had to be hidden in the trash back in the 90’s… they still looked the same as the day they were made…. i.e. they don’t wear out…. greener term… they do not BIODEGRADE! They looked as ugly in the ’90’s as they did in the 70’s!
So, point is this really bothered me. Why am I bothering to bring my reusable bags to the store when their production process is just as harmful anyway? I mean they may be reusable but they are also being manufactured in mass quantities these days. There’s one in every size, shape, color and style, you know?
After doing a little research I found that many of the stylish reusable bags people are toting around are made out of polyester. And the bags we typically purchase for a buck or so at most stores are made by a company called Green Bag and made of Non Woven Polypropylene, and claim:
- 100% recyclable and totally re-usable
Packing and carrying capacity of 3-4 plastic bags eliminating thousands of harmful bags over its lifespan- Our materials are water repellent and so avoids bacteria or foul odours
- Our materials are non toxic, non corrosive, non-allergenic
I really can’t say I’m still convinced. Shouldn’t the bags we are using to ideally eliminate the use of plastic bags, themselves be environmentally friendly? One article “How green is your bag” writes: “Your environmentally friendly green bags are made of plastic – polypropylene is a fossil fuel-based plastic. The bags are also imported from China. So, plastic, non-renewable, doing nothing for our balance of payments and guess what? You’re paying for the privilege. Supermarkets are laughing all the way to the bank.” and “I’ve just retired after 30 years in the packaging industry and, frankly, I’m amazed at the constant rave about the ‘environmental’ green bags … Doesn’t anyone realize these bags are made of the same ‘almost indestructible’ materials used in car bumpers and wheelie bins? … These bags replace the plastic bags, which were in the throes of changing to a safe cornstarch biodegradable form … what happens when these ‘cool’ bags reach their use-by date? Will there be millions of them in circulation?”
So what is the answer to this? In my opinion, it seems as if the paper or plastic question is not being well answered by our choices of mainstream reusable bags. Are there better options? What are your thoughts on this?
I see and hear crazy stories all the time, since I am always using my reusable bags. I was at a big retailer store the other day, and the cashier told me he sold a reusable bag to a gentleman. The cashier was all impressed, until the moment that the gentleman told him to put the reusable bag, he was just purchasing, into a plastic bag.
I will have to say at FreshandGreen.com we reuse all of our packaging materials that come into the store. So if you ship us a package in bubble wrap, we are going to reuse that product. BUT . . . Virgin paper . . . come on . . . I don’t get that at all. Virgin paper is as NON GREEN as you can get. I guess that is why we have blogs like this to educate these people and then they can do it better. Thank you for calling them on it.
I see and hear crazy stories all the time, since I am always using my reusable bags. I was at a big retailer store the other day, and the cashier told me he sold a reusable bag to a gentleman. The cashier was all impressed, until the moment that the gentleman told him to put the reusable bag, he was just purchasing, into a plastic bag.
I will have to say at FreshandGreen.com we reuse all of our packaging materials that come into the store. So if you ship us a package in bubble wrap, we are going to reuse that product. BUT . . . Virgin paper . . . come on . . . I don’t get that at all. Virgin paper is as NON GREEN as you can get. I guess that is why we have blogs like this to educate these people and then they can do it better. Thank you for calling them on it.
Thanks for pointing this contradiction out. I’m a big fan of the cotton canvas bags. They last a long time! I guess we have to remember all the time, “what is the real cost of this item?”
Felicia´s last blog post..Responsible Camera Choices
Thanks for pointing this contradiction out. I’m a big fan of the cotton canvas bags. They last a long time! I guess we have to remember all the time, “what is the real cost of this item?”
Felicia´s last blog post..Responsible Camera Choices
I realize that the ideal situation would be canvas or cotton totes, baskets or other durable, stand-the-test-of-time type carriers. However, even with these reusable bags made from plastics, they still have the option to be recycled. Until people can easily find the former options in lower prices, the masses will shell out a buck for the reusable bags, and it still preserves a lot of landfill space from the disposable bags. Even if one reusable bag reaches the landfill at the end of its life, how many disposables were saved from the landfill?
Again, it’s not an ideal situation, but I can’t help but see the silver lining. These bags still greatly reduce the number of the disposables ending up in the landfill and are much easier to recycle at the end of their use.
Melanie Turner´s last blog post..10 Ways to Find a Sustainable Printer – Recycling and Waste Management
I realize that the ideal situation would be canvas or cotton totes, baskets or other durable, stand-the-test-of-time type carriers. However, even with these reusable bags made from plastics, they still have the option to be recycled. Until people can easily find the former options in lower prices, the masses will shell out a buck for the reusable bags, and it still preserves a lot of landfill space from the disposable bags. Even if one reusable bag reaches the landfill at the end of its life, how many disposables were saved from the landfill?
Again, it’s not an ideal situation, but I can’t help but see the silver lining. These bags still greatly reduce the number of the disposables ending up in the landfill and are much easier to recycle at the end of their use.
Melanie Turner´s last blog post..10 Ways to Find a Sustainable Printer – Recycling and Waste Management
I found a couple of tutorials online a while back about making tote bags out of scrap fabric or old pillow cases, so that’s what I use for shopping bags. The pillow cases might not have been completely “green” in the first place, but at least I’m reusing them rather than tossing them. We bought several bags from our store before I noticed the same thing that you did!
The Green Yak on Etsy´s last blog post..Around the World Upcycled Bookmark Set
I found a couple of tutorials online a while back about making tote bags out of scrap fabric or old pillow cases, so that’s what I use for shopping bags. The pillow cases might not have been completely “green” in the first place, but at least I’m reusing them rather than tossing them. We bought several bags from our store before I noticed the same thing that you did!
The Green Yak on Etsy´s last blog post..Around the World Upcycled Bookmark Set
I was really surprised to learn the same thing when I was purchasing totes for my eco-shop. It’s crazy to think that people sell these bags as “eco-friendly” when they are not made from organic or recycled materials. Luckily after some research I was able to find both but unfortunately most people do not realize the bags they buy from the grocery store are not truly “green” bags.
Thanks for addressing it.
-Darcy Tarr, owner
http://www.GretchenandGrace.com
I was really surprised to learn the same thing when I was purchasing totes for my eco-shop. It’s crazy to think that people sell these bags as “eco-friendly” when they are not made from organic or recycled materials. Luckily after some research I was able to find both but unfortunately most people do not realize the bags they buy from the grocery store are not truly “green” bags.
Thanks for addressing it.
-Darcy Tarr, owner
http://www.GretchenandGrace.com
I’m an American living in France and we have not used paper or plastic for about 10 years. I’ve got a dozen bags like this in my car
I’m an American living in France and we have not used paper or plastic for about 10 years. I’ve got a dozen bags like this in my car
Check out these eco friendly bags, they seem to be doing it right! http://www.projectgreenbag.com
Check out these eco friendly bags, they seem to be doing it right! http://www.projectgreenbag.com
The fact is, is that people are at different stages of their awakenings. I have been observing over the past 18 years or so a change in people’s mind set. At first plastic was the “only” way to go when getting groceries, and then you started getting people to start thinking about re-cycling, and now people are starting to think about re-useing (old materials to make new ones) BUT I must emphasize that the expression is “Reduce, Reuse, and then recycle” Reduce consumerism and the need to have a whole bunch of cheap reuseable bags made from the same high impact substances, and eventually there will be no need for us to re-invent the plastic bags. But I guess at this stage if the processing of the materials to re-use them is not harmful, then I think there is a market for these bags. I personally prefer, my organinc cotton, and hemp and unbleached natural cotton products to the 1 – 2 dollar reuseable ones, BUT there is a market for everything and if that is all that can be afforded by someone isn’t that a better alternative than not re-using?
My company and I personally can’t compromise quality for price, http://www:eCause.ca but that is not to say that I don’t respect others for where they are in their journey to awakening.
Warm regards,
Joyce Shanks
President – eCause Canada Inc.
The fact is, is that people are at different stages of their awakenings. I have been observing over the past 18 years or so a change in people’s mind set. At first plastic was the “only” way to go when getting groceries, and then you started getting people to start thinking about re-cycling, and now people are starting to think about re-useing (old materials to make new ones) BUT I must emphasize that the expression is “Reduce, Reuse, and then recycle” Reduce consumerism and the need to have a whole bunch of cheap reuseable bags made from the same high impact substances, and eventually there will be no need for us to re-invent the plastic bags. But I guess at this stage if the processing of the materials to re-use them is not harmful, then I think there is a market for these bags. I personally prefer, my organinc cotton, and hemp and unbleached natural cotton products to the 1 – 2 dollar reuseable ones, BUT there is a market for everything and if that is all that can be afforded by someone isn’t that a better alternative than not re-using?
My company and I personally can’t compromise quality for price, http://www:eCause.ca but that is not to say that I don’t respect others for where they are in their journey to awakening.
Warm regards,
Joyce Shanks
President – eCause Canada Inc.
uh oh, I just checked one of my bags. It was a giveaway that was promoted as a ‘green’ bag. I just went to the manufacturer’s website. They say “Made from sturdy 100 grams per square meter (*GSM) premium quality non-woven polypropylene, 100% recyclable and reusable” Darn, here I thought I was doing something good for the environment. I am glad I didn’t pay for it.
uh oh, I just checked one of my bags. It was a giveaway that was promoted as a ‘green’ bag. I just went to the manufacturer’s website. They say “Made from sturdy 100 grams per square meter (*GSM) premium quality non-woven polypropylene, 100% recyclable and reusable” Darn, here I thought I was doing something good for the environment. I am glad I didn’t pay for it.
I use an old wire basket for grocery shopping (I’ve found 3 at auctions) like the ones that used to be the norm. I also use them or crocheted cotton net bags for all other shopping, and sometimes even one of the woven baskets that I make. I simply keep them in the car (I live in the country so have to use the car for shopping). Net bags and my baskets are available on-line at my website: http://www.smallbones.ca
BTW, also beware compost bags marketed as biodegradable — be sure they’re certified biodegradable. Some just break down as tiny bits of plastic, rather than actually composting.
I use an old wire basket for grocery shopping (I’ve found 3 at auctions) like the ones that used to be the norm. I also use them or crocheted cotton net bags for all other shopping, and sometimes even one of the woven baskets that I make. I simply keep them in the car (I live in the country so have to use the car for shopping). Net bags and my baskets are available on-line at my website: http://www.smallbones.ca
BTW, also beware compost bags marketed as biodegradable — be sure they’re certified biodegradable. Some just break down as tiny bits of plastic, rather than actually composting.
I have a suggestion. ChicoBag makes a new rePETe bag, which is 99% recycled materials. The bag is made from recycled plastic bottles. The toggle and drawstring are from recycled PET. The metal clip is made from recycled materials as well. http://www.chicobag.com
If you want a review sample, just ask and it will be done.
I have a suggestion. ChicoBag makes a new rePETe bag, which is 99% recycled materials. The bag is made from recycled plastic bottles. The toggle and drawstring are from recycled PET. The metal clip is made from recycled materials as well. http://www.chicobag.com
If you want a review sample, just ask and it will be done.
Hey Sommer! the latter was the reasoning given for the material used and it does have some standing room. My first thought was “Yah, that makes sense I guess.” But when there are other, more sustainable options, why do these companies choose to pick something so equally non-earth friendly. It just doesn’t sit well.
Hey Sommer! the latter was the reasoning given for the material used and it does have some standing room. My first thought was “Yah, that makes sense I guess.” But when there are other, more sustainable options, why do these companies choose to pick something so equally non-earth friendly. It just doesn’t sit well.
Great post. I’ve wondered this as well and try hard to have a bag that is reusable and not harmful when it is made but then there is the other side here – the side that says even though the processing of the bag might not be the most eco-friendly it’s better then using the wasteful bags that are used in droves. Does that make sense. It’s the better of two evils.
Sommer´s last blog post..A Common Denominator the Word: Mom
Great post. I’ve wondered this as well and try hard to have a bag that is reusable and not harmful when it is made but then there is the other side here – the side that says even though the processing of the bag might not be the most eco-friendly it’s better then using the wasteful bags that are used in droves. Does that make sense. It’s the better of two evils.
Sommer´s last blog post..A Common Denominator the Word: Mom
Well isn’t it something that they would ship a supposed green item with so much packaging.
Bringing our own bags when shopping will really help the environment! But hey, there’s so many of those plastic bags out there already, what about those?
I make them into reusable shopping bags, purses, backpacks and totes. 100% post consumer recycling!! I recycle them from donations of bags that I receive from several friends and neighbors!
http://www.FatBottomBags.com
Well isn’t it something that they would ship a supposed green item with so much packaging.
Bringing our own bags when shopping will really help the environment! But hey, there’s so many of those plastic bags out there already, what about those?
I make them into reusable shopping bags, purses, backpacks and totes. 100% post consumer recycling!! I recycle them from donations of bags that I receive from several friends and neighbors!
http://www.FatBottomBags.com
Been running errands all day and came back to wonderful comments! Thank for all of your thoughts on this!!
Been running errands all day and came back to wonderful comments! Thank for all of your thoughts on this!!
Great post Jen! I couldn’t agree more. As I mentioned the other day, reusable bag companies have become a dime a dozen these days. And while I’m happy to see reusable bags hitting the mainstream, I’m sad about the level of greenwashing that occurs at this level. It’s easy to find bags that are made from recycled and/or organic cotton. That’s the way to go when it comes to reusable bags. Thanks for bringing this to everyone’s attention!
Jenn´s last blog post..Starting A Rain Garden
Great post Jen! I couldn’t agree more. As I mentioned the other day, reusable bag companies have become a dime a dozen these days. And while I’m happy to see reusable bags hitting the mainstream, I’m sad about the level of greenwashing that occurs at this level. It’s easy to find bags that are made from recycled and/or organic cotton. That’s the way to go when it comes to reusable bags. Thanks for bringing this to everyone’s attention!
Jenn´s last blog post..Starting A Rain Garden
Wow! I never even thought to look at the tag in my reusable bag – I just ASSUMED that it would be made in a green manner. Darn!
I will admit that before I had a ‘green’ conscience we used bubble mailers to ship products. We now use paper padded mailers that are 90% recycled paper, our candle tins are made from 30% post consumer product and are recyclable but am still looking for a clear plastic type sample bag that is biodegradable…it’s not easy being green sometimes but we feel the effort is worth the investment of time and money.
Wow! I never even thought to look at the tag in my reusable bag – I just ASSUMED that it would be made in a green manner. Darn!
I will admit that before I had a ‘green’ conscience we used bubble mailers to ship products. We now use paper padded mailers that are 90% recycled paper, our candle tins are made from 30% post consumer product and are recyclable but am still looking for a clear plastic type sample bag that is biodegradable…it’s not easy being green sometimes but we feel the effort is worth the investment of time and money.
Yes. This has troubled me for some time. My grocery store gave a 5-cent reduction for using my own bags, which are hemp and organic cotton. Now I have to use their store brand, non-eco-friendly ones to get the discount. So maybe reusing theirs is marginally better than using the disposable ones, but aren’t my hemp and cotton ones w-a-a-y better? I also have a problem with those made of recycled plastic bottles. They’ll eventually end up in a landfill somewhere. All we’ve done is used energy to change bottles into bags and kept them out of the landfil for a little while. People need to stop seeing “reusable” as equalling eco-friendly.
Yes. This has troubled me for some time. My grocery store gave a 5-cent reduction for using my own bags, which are hemp and organic cotton. Now I have to use their store brand, non-eco-friendly ones to get the discount. So maybe reusing theirs is marginally better than using the disposable ones, but aren’t my hemp and cotton ones w-a-a-y better? I also have a problem with those made of recycled plastic bottles. They’ll eventually end up in a landfill somewhere. All we’ve done is used energy to change bottles into bags and kept them out of the landfil for a little while. People need to stop seeing “reusable” as equalling eco-friendly.
Nice post Jen, and an important one. As I see it, it comes down to greenwashing. Unfortunately, as we move towards being more sustainable as individuals and society, some companies are just trying to hop on the bandwagon without authenticating their products’ “greenness”.
I ran into a similar situation where I was asked to review a “green” product. The item itself served a green purpose and worked well, but when I inquired about the company’s manufacturing process, I was told it was “responsibly made in China” and they were awaiting site inspections. As I saw it, the product was actively being sold to the public, shouldn’t inspections have already been ongoing??? I felt I could not in good conscious write about a product with questionable lifecycle isses and declined to write the review. So good for you for doing your homework.
There are plenty of truly eco-friendly products and companies out there if we just take the time to find them. In addition, sites like GoodGuide.com are helping to make product manufacturing and lifecycle info more transparent, if we just take a moment to learn about products before placing them in our “green” shopping bags!
Lori´s last blog post..Using Energy Efficient PCs for Business
Nice post Jen, and an important one. As I see it, it comes down to greenwashing. Unfortunately, as we move towards being more sustainable as individuals and society, some companies are just trying to hop on the bandwagon without authenticating their products’ “greenness”.
I ran into a similar situation where I was asked to review a “green” product. The item itself served a green purpose and worked well, but when I inquired about the company’s manufacturing process, I was told it was “responsibly made in China” and they were awaiting site inspections. As I saw it, the product was actively being sold to the public, shouldn’t inspections have already been ongoing??? I felt I could not in good conscious write about a product with questionable lifecycle isses and declined to write the review. So good for you for doing your homework.
There are plenty of truly eco-friendly products and companies out there if we just take the time to find them. In addition, sites like GoodGuide.com are helping to make product manufacturing and lifecycle info more transparent, if we just take a moment to learn about products before placing them in our “green” shopping bags!
Lori´s last blog post..Using Energy Efficient PCs for Business
What’s your suggestion about this bag situation, because I agree with you- it’s not helping anything by replacing plastic with different plastic. Which companies would you suggest that ARE helping??
What’s your suggestion about this bag situation, because I agree with you- it’s not helping anything by replacing plastic with different plastic. Which companies would you suggest that ARE helping??
I agree with this 100%!
We have a stash of Ecobags to use.
Elizabeth´s last blog post..Look Who’s One Month Old!
I agree with this 100%!
We have a stash of Ecobags to use.
Elizabeth´s last blog post..Look Who’s One Month Old!
And, that my friend is why I use organic cotton bags or bags made from recycled products 🙂
Tara Burner´s last blog post..Do it for your children
And, that my friend is why I use organic cotton bags or bags made from recycled products 🙂
Tara Burner´s last blog post..Do it for your children
I absolutely agree with you on this Jen. I have to chuckle when I see all the stores that carry reusable bags, but at closer look the bag isn’t even produced in an eco-friendly way!! Seriously! What are they thinking! And to approach you with their product! Hello!
I absolutely agree with you on this Jen. I have to chuckle when I see all the stores that carry reusable bags, but at closer look the bag isn’t even produced in an eco-friendly way!! Seriously! What are they thinking! And to approach you with their product! Hello!