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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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Merrily Curtis  on March 10, 2007 at 10:43 PM 21
The absolute best find of this decade for me was the reusable nylon grocery bag which has its own case and clips on the inside of my purse, or fanny pack on the key clip. Since I discovered this gem, offered @ the Container Store for about $5, I ALWAYS have a bag w/ me. My grocery bag storage is now nil and the grocery clerks always comment about the bag, which fits over their plastic bag holders. This will be the stocking stuffer for all this year!
Amber  on March 12, 2007 at 12:49 PM 22
I can't believe how many biters think "reusing" a petroleum-based plastic bag to line their garbage bags (i.e. a one-way trip straight to the landfills) is a good idea. I'm also no longer a fan of recycling used plastic bags at the grocery store, because recycling takes a lot of energy & only works a couple of times before the materials are too degraded to be remade into something else anyway. How about avoiding plastic (think petroleum, hard to break down) & paper (say good-bye to pristine old growth or rainforests) bags altogether? Try this: https://www.nubiusorganics.com/merchantmanager/index.php?cPath=5 Nubius bags are free of chemicals, toxins, & PVC- and cute enough to take to the mall! http://www.bhappybags.com/index.htm http://www.reusablebags.com/store/shopping-bags-heavy-duty-c-2_7.html?os... http://www.greenhome.com/products/personal_accessories/packs_and_totes/ For your produce bags: http://www.ecobags.com/Our_Products/Produce_Bags For biodegradable trash can liners: http://www.drugstore.com/qxp145871_332828_sespider/biobag/food_waste_bio... http://www.ecoproducts.com/Home/home_biobags/home_index_biobags.htm Good luck & have fun! While you may forget to bring in a bag the first few times, once you get the hang of it, you'll remember b/c it's your routine and it's silly not to!
Sunny  on March 14, 2007 at 11:08 AM 23
At most of my local stores I get a 5-6 cent discount for bringing my own bag. Also a word of caution - while they are better than plastic, those bags that are touted as biodegradable will not biodegrade in a landfill. Nothing breaks down in a landfill. Nothing! You would have to compost them in order to take advantage of their biodegrading properties.
Amber  on March 15, 2007 at 08:54 AM 24
Thanks for letting me know... that's really too bad about them not breaking down at all in landfills. It seems we need to revamp our landfill system. At least the biodegradable bags aren't made out of petroleum. I think it's corn or something. Well, good luck!
RecycleCindy  on March 22, 2007 at 04:24 PM 25
Want to craft with those plastic bags? I have free tips and patterns if you are interested in creating purses, totes and other stuff using those bags. It's a wonderful eco-friendly way to recycle the bags and your craft materials are free! Check it out at http://www.myrecycledbags.com. Lots of fun ideas and everything is free. Thanks! Cindy http://www.myrecycledbags.com/ My website dedicated to recycling & crafting!
bee  on March 26, 2007 at 08:18 PM 26
I'm doing some research for a school project dealing with waste/recycling habits. I'm curious about the debate about using plastic bags to line trash cans. I know that nothing really degrades in our landfills (at least it takes a good decade for even paper), so I feel even if we use garbage bags made of compostable material there will be no big difference in degradation (I realize there is loss of material and chance of chemical leaks - all good reasons to not line your trash with plastic)
For those opposed to using trash liners, do you just throw all your trash into your garbage can? Does this cause problems for the garbage workers? (for example small trash might blow away in the wind creating litter.) Do you buy other liners? How do you make garbage in your home clean and easy to deal with when you don't use liners?
chopsueyluey  on March 30, 2007 at 09:58 AM 27
What about baggies? HELP! My son (15) takes his lunch to school, what do I put all of his lunch goodies in? What does anyone else do? I am way open to all info. He thinks he should just buy his lunch 100%. :O)
Amber  on March 31, 2007 at 11:31 AM 28
Bee- For the actual food, try reusable glass containers (like tupperware, but w/o the harmful toxins that can leach when you microwave or clean it). Then you can use a reusable cloth sack to put it all in. Check out: http://www.ecobags.com/Our_Products/Lunch_Bags https://www.nubiusorganics.com/merchantmanager/index.php?cPath=5_15_41&m... Hope that helps! Amber
Sonia Ghiggioli  on April 09, 2007 at 10:00 PM 29
Check out these beautiful reusable shopping bags at the website: www.earthtotebags.com.au We can ship our Earth Tote Bags all over the globe to help create a better world!
John Womack  on May 02, 2007 at 11:35 PM 30
In Germany you don't put your food in bags – unless you buy one. "Could I have a bag?" "Ja, 15 pence – Ka ching!". You can bring your own if you want to. In America the bags are "free" - ie you pay for them whether you actually get one or not.
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