Alternatives to replace plastic bags

We have already explained that the environmental impact of plastic bags is huge, however, do you know why? Mainly, this is because they are mostly composed of polyethylene and polychlorulos, oil derivatives to those who subsequently add plasticizers, dyes and other compounds of difficult decomposition. If we take into account that these elements take a long time to degrade And that they are often discarded without any control, the result is that they accumulate in the environment or in the sea causing really worrying problems.

In recent years, laws and measures have been applied with the objective of alleviating this problem. However, to stop the situation in a definitive way, it is not worth just reducing its use, but the most advisable Total elimination and replacement for more sustainable options. Next, we are going to explain what the alternatives can be to replace the plastic bags.

They are bags made from a MIX OF ORGANIC MATERIALSsuch as corn starch or potato and degradable synthetic fibers or oil fibers. They completely degrade after about 18 months without the option of causing any type of environmental or polluting problem. Some companies see in them one of the best alternatives in the market, however, there are studies that question their ecological value and claim that Synthetic fibers do not completely degrade but they decompose in microplastics that, although at first glance they seem less harmful to the environment, have the ability to Trophical chaincausing problems such as heavy metal bioacumulation.

Thus, although it represents a better alternative compared to plastic bags, it is not a perfect or definitive solution.

The fabric bags They are generally made of cotton, so they degrade in periods of time between 1 and 5 months, as long as they do not have prints with inks containing lead or other heavy metals. To avoid this error, or even doubt there are organic bags made from 100% ecological cotton from plantations in which chemicals or chemical substances are not used, so its use is very advisable. In addition, many of these bags can be found in fair trade stores.

Reusable fabric bags guarantee a greater durability than plastic, being able to use repeatedly. In addition, they endure more weight and have greater capacity. Thus, seeing that they have many more advantages than plastic bags, it is incomprehensible as they have not been implemented as a definitive measure.

In this section we can also include the use of backpacks, wicker baskets or well -known shopping carts, which in addition to promoting sustainable consumption have the advantage of facilitating the facilitating transport without having to load with weight of our purchase.

Next, we show you an interview we did to Mónica García de Verdonce, Sustainable Bagsin which he answered some doubts related to the Zero Waste and ecological bags.

1. Why did you decide to open a business like this?

We really did not open a business for a decision, but rather because of the need to reduce the amount of waste we generated daily at home. We analyzed what was in our garbage cube daily and we saw that one of the largest spotlights were the single -use plastic bags or containers that we accumulated when making the purchase of food. So we decided to start using reusable fabric bags to buy in bulk and avoid the use of plastic, mainly of a single use. As we did not find any natural fiber fabric bag, such as jute or cotton and linen, with the characteristics we wanted to make our own bags for our use. It was then, when people in stores seeing them began to ask ourselves that where we had bought them when we really considered opening a verification with the aim of helping other people who, like us, were looking for products that helped them lead a more sustainable life.

2. Do you consider that the population is currently aware of the global pollution problem? And the need to change the lifestyle to avoid worsening it?

I think that in the last year, thanks to the information shared by mass media experts, characters as relevant as Greta Thunberg and events such as the Climate Summit in Madrid have helped society begin to be aware of the big problem we have with the contamination of the planet. And this, consequently, has made little more people interested in leading a more responsible lifestyle with the environment.

3. How can we really know if what they offer us in shops is a 100% biodegradable bag? If they are fabric bags or a similar material it is easy to know, but when it comes to biodegradable bags, sometimes it is not so much. Is there any type of seal or any way to know?

It is true that at first glance it can be difficult to know if a bag is really biodegradable or not since they are very similar, but generally biodegradable bags are usually more rough to touch, rough and smell. Anyway, “biodegradable” is a term that does not have an official definition or requirements, it can often deceive consumers. On the other hand, the composable term means that the products are able to complete the biodegradation of the compost and must comply with the specific decomposition standards to receive a compostability certification that complies with the European standard 13432.

In any case, one of the inconveniences of biodegradable bags is that they are of a single use for their fragile composition and this does not allow them to be reusable that is one of the basic pillars for a zero life or zero waste life.

4. Apart from plastic bags, What other everyday objects that are usually plastic (or a similar material) do you consider that we can easily replace?

Many more than we can imagine at first. For example, plastic toothbrushes for bamboo, synthetic sponges or mittens for natural fibers, plastic bottles for water or other drinks by glass bottles or stainless steel, plastic boats of bath gels and shampoos per pill of solid soap that are stored in jute bags, plastic straws by steel or bamboo also, etc.

5. Can you give us more tips or keys for a Zero Waste life?

I always recommend following the 5 RS of the Zero Waste Philosophy of Bea Johnson in order, that is:

1. Reject, what I don’t need.
2. Reduce: what we need and we cannot reject.
3. Reuse: what we consume and cannot reject or reduce.
4. Recycle: what we cannot neither reject, reduce or reuse.
5. Revoice: Compost the rest.

In the second image below, you can see some of Verdoce’s bags and bags. In addition, we recommend the reading of this other post of Ecology Verde in which we explain what the Zero Waste is and how to be.

Bulk purchase allows the consumer himself to use your own containers or containers No need to acquire any type bag in the store. This type of shops not only allows to reduce the consumption of plastic bags of the clients, but also Reduces global plastic consume in the packaging and packaging of the products.

On the other hand, bulk product stores prevent me from being foodsince the person can buy the amount he needs at all times without being forced to buy in excess.

Science also collaborates day by day with the search for new materials and alternatives that allow the end of plastic bags. In this way, a large number of scientists add to the research and creation of new products such as Biosoluble bags. It consists of bags whose chemical formula has been modified, so they are capable of getting rid and diluted in water without causing damage in the environment or the liquid in which it dissolves.

On the other hand, there are research that goes beyond the discovery of alternatives and materials that replace the plastic and focus on their elimination. We can highlight one of the last findings, in which the ability of a caterpillar has been discovered, known as “the wax worm” of biodegrading polyethylene, in a relatively rapid way compared to other bacteria.

If you want to read more articles similar to Alternatives to replace plastic bagswe recommend that you enter our recycling and waste management category.