<p>Everyone tends to think of the disposable plastic bags that stores hand out as free, but actually, we pay for them… to the tune of about $4 billion a year, according to the <a title=”Wall Street Journal” href=”http://online.wsj.com/public/us” target=”_blank”>Wall Street Journal</a>. Not only would our groceries bills come down a bit if everyone would bring reusable bags when they shop, but we would also be taking a small step to protect the environment and conserve our non-renewable fossil fuels (most plastics are made from petroleum). Plastic bags are generally not biodegradable — even the ones that claim they are! When the bags blow from landfills into lakes, rivers and the oceans, animals sometimes mistake them for food and are killed when they swallow the bags.</p>
<p>
<p>According to <em>The Wall Street Journal,</em> billions of plastic grocery bags are handed out <i>every</i>
<i>day</i> in the United States.</p>
<p>In a recent poll, we asked visitors to <em>Mother Earth News</em> if you brought your own grocery bags to the store. Here’s what we found out…</p>
<br />
Do you bring your own grocery bags? (362 responses)</p>
<p>I try, but I forget sometimes<br />
35%</p>
<p>I never leave home without them<br />
25%</p>
<p>I recycle my used plastic bags<br />
15%</p>
<p>
<p>Never<br />
14%</p>
<p>I would if I remembered<br />
9%</p>
<p>It depends<br />
2%</p>
<p>Need a source for sturdy reusable tote bags? Check out the ones we offer at <a title=”MotherEarthNews.com” href=”https://www.motherearthnews.com/shopping/browse?subject=5mt” target=”_blank”>
<u>MotherEarthNews.com</u>
</a>.</p>