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True Confessions: Trash Bags

In a Gawker-inspired fit of inspiration, I've decided that occasionally, I'll write an ongoing blog version that just lays out all the ways I mess up in my green life.  Since the "no one's perfect, but we're all getting a little better every day" mantra runs throughout our entire worldview here at the Bite, I think it's only fair that I/we occasionally confess.  Welcome to Part 1 of True Confessions: The One About the Trash Bags.

So here's the deal.  I LOVE the Real Simple trash cans.  Love 'em.  Bought 3 (compost, trash, recycling).  The recycling one is HUGE (since our Biter team often hangs at my house, we go through a lot of kombucha bottles and Amy's pizza boxes...).  And yes, I DO use old plastic grocery bags to line the one I use for trash.  But as for lining the recycling bin???

I got completely suckered into buying the lovely Real Simple trashcan liners for the big recycling one.  Nothing else seems to fit as well.  I make myself feel a little better by re-using the same liner as long as possible (I dump the recycling contents into the bin and then put the liner back into the can for about 3 "rounds"), but still.  Seems a little stupid to buy something just to throw it away...  However, try as I might, I can't handle not lining the can, because it starts to smell bad, and I'm too lazy to wash out the whole thing thoroughly each week.  I suck.

-Heather... of to contemplate what I need to give up to make up for my trash liner fetish...

Posted by: hstephenson on 03/08/2007
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denise  on March 08, 2007 at 12:23 PM 11
While plastic bags aren't picked up in curbside recycling, it seems that at least in the entryway of most supermarkets (here in oregon anyway)you can recycle them. A reminder about using plastic bags as garbage liners: the plastic prevents oxygen from getting in and helping waste break down. Things that are usually biodegradable like food waste can actually last more than 10 years because the landfill environment isn't conducive to decomposers coming in and breaking things down. Think about how often garbage is thrown away in smaller plastic bags than are then added to a bigger one and then go to a landfill that is lined with plastic to protect the groundwater. No oxygen! If they haven't done it already I think daily bite should do a thing on worm composting - the most effective and easiest form of composting!
Hannah  on March 08, 2007 at 12:28 PM 12
I started to accumulate too many bags - and I couldn't reuse them fast enough. I was thrilled to come across ecobags.com and their string market bags. They are great! They're small so I have one in my purse all the time and now I never forget to bring my own bag. But they also expand to carry a bunch of stuff. And best of all, they are eco-friendly AND fair trade. Check them out! Tons of other great stuff too. ecobags.com
denise  on March 08, 2007 at 12:57 PM 13
There is a timely article on www.stopglobalwarming.org posted just today about plastic bag use. Some countries have taxed it or outlawed their use, and Ikea has just begun charging customers when they use them. Hopefully that catches on more.
Tina  on March 08, 2007 at 01:59 PM 14
this company sells kitchen size biodegradable/compostable bags and liners. Hope this helps ease some guilty consciences... http://www.ecoproducts.com/Home/home_biobags/home_index_biobags.htm
Joyce  on March 08, 2007 at 02:51 PM 15
I use grocery bags as waste can liners, bring canvas bags to the grocery store or farmers' market when I can remember, but my best idea for how to reduce the use of these bags is to plant a garden! The tomato that I pluck from my garden and walk into my kitchen never needs to be put in a bag at all. Same for the lettuce, herbs, eggplants and squash. This is the time of the year to be planning the garden, so I thought I'd post the idea to inspire others to start a kitchen garden.
Jill Finlayson  on March 08, 2007 at 03:16 PM 16
"The average American uses about 900 grocery bags per year. Less than 1% are recycled." This seems high - if an average household grocery shops weekly and brings home even 10 bags - that would only add up to 520 per household. Could you share a bit more about where the statistic come from - is there a study or report? BTW the article points are all valid regardless, but it would be nice to know a little more about the level of waste. Thanks. Jill
Stefanie  on March 08, 2007 at 07:57 PM 17
We reuse our constantly diminishing supply of plastic grocery bags in the trash. I've got a good pile of canvas bags for grocery runs (and all sorts of other things) so our incoming plastic bag supply is low. But even though I'm reusing the plastic bags in the trash/recycling, they still end up in the trash eventually...so I still feel bad about having them at all. If the trash/recycling isn't dripping goo, I reuse the plastic bag several times before tossing it. What about recycled/compostable trash can liners? Most main grocery stores in San Diego have bins for recycling plastic grocery bags.
Susan G  on March 08, 2007 at 08:35 PM 18
I became outraged about the level of plastic bag use seeing the counter ticking away faster than the eye can track -- at reusablebags.com. (Also, read about the "plastax" in Ireland. Here in Keene NH, our library, "soup kitchen", Salvation Army, and my small retail natural products store take plastic bags for reuse. People walk in and bring me l00's of bags (paper and plastic), so I no longer buy new ones. I take time to educate people on the issue and promote some sanity. Another point -- think about what plastic bags are made of. We're so focused on worrying about the price of gas at the pump that we forget that's only a small part of the petroleum picture. Can we watch the woods and the trees?
nathalie  on March 08, 2007 at 09:53 PM 19
I am so glad you brought it up. My friends and neighboors look at me as a cheap person since I do use plastic supermarket bag as trash containers. I have not bought trash bags in.... too many years. First of all, I do not want to keep trash in my place, so they are convenient for daily trash. Second, why not, a lot of them are biodegradable (if you ever try to use it to store something, you know they fall a part within a year) May be not the best solution, but another little step.
arousiak  on March 09, 2007 at 03:58 PM 20
here's simple tip to avoid having to accept plastic bags at the store. sometimes you end up buying something when you didn't think you would. so i keep one or two very lightweight smallish canvas bags neatly folded up like a small parcel in my handbag at all times. they take up no space whatsoever and i never get stuck having to take a plastic bag when i do impromptu grocery shopping. i am so happy that i have almost run out of plastic garbage bags!! never thought that would happen. And also have you heard about BIO-BAGS. they are made of plant cellulose and they are compostable. they make different sized trash bags and also dog poop bags. i am also really glad that instead of the utterly puzzled expressions i once used to get when i started refusing plastic bags (from conventional kinds of stores), like i was kooky or something i now often get a "thank you" instead. aah..
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