Which bag is bad?
Which bags are bad for the environment?
We should no longer be on Mother Nature’s back and try to live more sustainably. One way to do that is to reduce our bag consumption.
Bags are sustainable if they are not bought new, are made of recycled material and are reused frequently.
Making your lifestyle more sustainable takes time and change is hard. An easy way to start is to bring your own tote bag when grocery shopping and use reusable nets when buying fruits and vegetables. Avoid buying disposable and reusable bags at the supermarket checkout and you will already help the environment.
What is the best way to transport my groceries? Which bag is the most environmentally friendly?
No matter what type of bag, basket, pouch or backpack you use for transportation, the more often you use it, the more sustainable it is.
A bag made from eco fabrics (textiles made in an environmentally friendly and fair way) or recycled material that will be reused in the long run is a good choice. Making a bag yourself from something that is already there is premium from a sustainable point of view.
With both of these options, it’s important that the bag is sturdy and looks the part, so it will be enjoyed and used often.
My personal favorite is a self-sewn tote bag from salvaged material. If you want to learn how to sew such a bag yourself, I’ll tell you now that I will soon offer a free sewing course on it. Sign up for my newsletter to get all the information
If I had to buy a bag, I would choose a large shopper to carry or pull from a small local label that makes their bags from sustainable or salvaged materials. Sort of a designer bag for grocery shopping. It should be durable and washable and most importantly beautiful. Because the most annoying thing about the reusable bags from the supermarket are their surfaces: they are printed with advertising or seasonal motifs or brightly colored designs. A practical bag can also be stylish.
What should I do if I forget my own shopping bag?
Should you need to buy a new tote bag, the best choice at this time is a reusable plastic bag best made from recycled material. They come in a large, sturdy version and a lightweight foldable bag. I would prefer the latter, in a neutral color. The freshly purchased plastic bag should be used at least three times after purchase. For packing fruits and vegetables, you can use reusable nets, eliminating the need for thin plastic bags. Fruit and vegetable nets are available in organic or recycled material. They are also suitable for bread and can be washed in the washing machine.
On the website of Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. you can find an overview of the different types of supermarket bags and how they perform from an ecological point of view.
Single-use plastic bags have been banned in supermarkets from 01 January 2022. The ban applies to lightweight plastic bags, which are usually disposed of after one use. This also applies to bags made of biodegradable plastics. Plastic bags with thicker material that are intended to be used frequently may still be sold. Paper carrier bags are also still allowed, although they are not a good substitute. Paper bags are reused far less often than they should be to justify the expense of producing them. How does a cloth bag perform? If it is made of cotton, a lot of water and energy was used to make it. You would have to use it at least 25 times to bring it to an environmentally friendly level. A reusable carrier bag made of plastic (even better: recycled plastic) is more environmentally friendly.
The consumer advice center provides information here on how many plastic bags we consume in Germany and why they are so harmful.
Fashion Revolution Week: Upcycling design auction
On April 23, 2022, an upcycling design auction will take place at NochMall in Berlin as part of Fashion Revolution Week. The upcycling event shows that clothing and accessories can be creative and fashionable, even if they are made from rescued textiles. The articles of the designers:inside are produced in a fair and resource-saving way.
I donated this XL shopper with check pattern, which you can bid on site. The large, practical tote bag is made of wool and lined with a cotton fabric. It was made in Berlin from rescued fabrics.
