Eco-friendly shopping bags: Are they making you sick?

WASH them. Mine are made out of cloth, they can go through the wash and dry cycle.

This is the dumbest article I think I've ever read. I toss mine in the wash every week or so (depending on how much use they've gotten) with my load of towels on hot. And if I'm buying meat that may leak liquid, I do put that in a plastic bag. One plastic bag is a heck of a lot less horrible for the environment than tossing out my reusable bags because they get dirty and going back to 100% plastic. Geez.

I always get new reusable bags every time I go to the grocery store. I love being environmentally friendly and food-safe at the same time!

Hmm wrote:

I always get new reusable bags every time I go to the grocery store. I love being environmentally friendly and food-safe at the same time!

Somehow I don't think you're grasping the concept here...

But wait! If I reuse my PLASTIC grocery bags multiple times for lunches, and then finally use each as a wastebasket liner - am I REALLY doing more harm to the environment than if I had used "reusable" bags?

What about the water used to wash those "eco-friendly" bags? What about the toxic chemicals (soap, bleach) used to disinfect them?(not to mention the plastic containers those chemicals are packaged in...?) What about the carbon emissions from the hot water heater? What about the chemicals and the energy used at the sewage-treatement plant to return the wash water to its natural, pristine state? What about the energy used to manufacture the "reusable" bags in the first place? And, finally, what about the plastic trash bags I will have to buy to avoid using the plastic grocery bag in my trash can?

And PLEASE don't suggest I use paper products. Extreme guilt over tree deaths is what sent me to plastic in the first place!

Forget the added expense of "reusable" bags AND the nagging guilt over using earth-damaging plastics. Here's how I solved the problem of providing an eco-friendly means of bringing home the groceries:

When I go shopping, I always wear my biggest, loosest fitting pair of pants. In the checkout line, I simply remove my trousers and tie a knot in the end of each leg. In go the groceries - meats, then cereals in one leg - dairy and produce in the other. Large, bulky items go in the "seat" area, which, if you think about it, is specifically constructed for "large, bulky items."

Once packed, I simply grab two of the belt-loop handles and carry my "pant/bags" to the car.(Note - it's best to do this quickly, before the police arrive. Unfortunately, like any new eco-technology, "pants/bags" have not gained wide social acceptance as of yet)

One home - empty the "bags," untie the leg-knots and throw the bag/pants in the washer. Ultra convenience - minimal eco-impact!

Chauntikleer wrote:

<quoted text>
Somehow I don't think you're grasping the concept here...

yep, I was thinking the same thing, lol! Those re-usable bags must be piling up, eh?

I've been using the re-usables since last fall and I LOVE them, They fit nicley in my shopping basket and they stay upright in my van. My grocery store gives a small discount for every bag I use.(Ultra-Foods)

Bottom line here is that there are bacteria, fungi, and viruses everywhere. Wash your hands, wash your fruits and veggies, and cook the meats. Oh and wash the bags once in a while.

This entire article is laughable, right down to the plastics company that did the study.

Except for at Aldi, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, I never see anyone using reusable bags.

father of truth - thank you for the common sense chuckle.

OMG, the plastic industry is now acting like the tobacco industry. I dont know what kinds of reusable bags most people are buying but the ones I use are Hemp. One of the greatest natural products on the planet. They are super durable, easy to wash and yes, reusable. I can see where the plastic industry might be starting to worry but to produce riduculous studies like this is simply unbelievable.

Lame. Lame study, lame article. Is there really nothing better to write about at the moment than cloth bags at the grocery stores??

They may not be a health risk, but if you have 4 kids, try shopping with those ridiculous bags. Yes for a single guy or girl living in Lincoln Park and walking to the Dominics on Fullerton, they're fine. Good luck with $500 worth of groceries.
Besides, I reuse the plastic ones as garbage bags anyways.

Jeff wrote:

They may not be a health risk, but if you have 4 kids, try shopping with those ridiculous bags. Yes for a single guy or girl living in Lincoln Park and walking to the Dominics on Fullerton, they're fine. Good luck with $500 worth of groceries.
Besides, I reuse the plastic ones as garbage bags anyways.

Maybe if you didn't have that breeding problem...

Consider the source, indeed. Is the plastics industry this desperate?

I got guilt tripped into using reusable bags. But when I actually started using them I realized not only are they less wasteful, but they're sturdier, easier to carry, and they fit more groceries than the typical plastic bags. Everyone should consider using reusable bags, if not for the environment, but for efficiency.

Get Real wrote:

WASH them. Mine are made out of cloth, they can go through the wash and dry cycle.

Overseas, many people stitch or knit
their own washable shopping bags.

Eco Einstine wrote:

Forget the added expense of "reusable" bags AND the nagging guilt over using earth-damaging plastics. Here's how I solved the problem of providing an eco-friendly means of bringing home the groceries:
When I go shopping, I always wear my biggest, loosest fitting pair of pants. In the checkout line, I simply remove my trousers and tie a knot in the end of each leg. In go the groceries - meats, then cereals in one leg - dairy and produce in the other. Large, bulky items go in the "seat" area, which, if you think about it, is specifically constructed for "large, bulky items."
Once packed, I simply grab two of the belt-loop handles and carry my "pant/bags" to the car.(Note - it's best to do this quickly, before the police arrive. Unfortunately, like any new eco-technology, "pants/bags" have not gained wide social acceptance as of yet)
One home - empty the "bags," untie the leg-knots and throw the bag/pants in the washer. Ultra convenience - minimal eco-impact!

E Einstine
Thanks for the eco tip. I need to work on my sprint speed and then plan a trip to Costco. 2X is good for the planet.

Chauntikleer wrote:

<quoted text>
Somehow I don't think you're grasping the concept here...

Ya think??

Father Truth wrote:

But wait! If I reuse my PLASTIC grocery bags multiple times for lunches, and then finally use each as a wastebasket liner - am I REALLY doing more harm to the environment than if I had used "reusable" bags?
What about the water used to wash those "eco-friendly" bags? What about the toxic chemicals (soap, bleach) used to disinfect them?(not to mention the plastic containers those chemicals are packaged in...?) What about the carbon emissions from the hot water heater? What about the chemicals and the energy used at the sewage-treatement plant to return the wash water to its natural, pristine state? What about the energy used to manufacture the "reusable" bags in the first place? And, finally, what about the plastic trash bags I will have to buy to avoid using the plastic grocery bag in my trash can?
And PLEASE don't suggest I use paper products. Extreme guilt over tree deaths is what sent me to plastic in the first place!

It would appear that you NEED to quit shopping or carry your groceries home in your hands.. but how about all those paper type plastics they use to package some products or the plastic bottles they NOW put EVERYTHING IN ?? Guess not eating is the BEST OPTION

Eco Einstine wrote:

Forget the added expense of "reusable" bags AND the nagging guilt over using earth-damaging plastics. Here's how I solved the problem of providing an eco-friendly means of bringing home the groceries:
When I go shopping, I always wear my biggest, loosest fitting pair of pants. In the checkout line, I simply remove my trousers and tie a knot in the end of each leg. In go the groceries - meats, then cereals in one leg - dairy and produce in the other. Large, bulky items go in the "seat" area, which, if you think about it, is specifically constructed for "large, bulky items."
Once packed, I simply grab two of the belt-loop handles and carry my "pant/bags" to the car.(Note - it's best to do this quickly, before the police arrive. Unfortunately, like any new eco-technology, "pants/bags" have not gained wide social acceptance as of yet)
One home - empty the "bags," untie the leg-knots and throw the bag/pants in the washer. Ultra convenience - minimal eco-impact!

sounds right but DON'T buy anything bottled or jarred in plastic or your work is mute

Ivory Dove wrote:

<quoted text>
Overseas, many people stitch or knit
their own washable shopping bags.

wouldn't they stretch? you start out with the bag at your side and it ends up being dragged behind you..