Small Change. Big Impact.
We all do it. We have the best of intentions, but when we get to the checkout we forgot to bring some bags to pack our purchases in. Even though there are cupboards and drawers full of the things at home. It’s annoying and it’s such a waste.
Below you will discover just how wasteful and harmful the environmental effects are.
Plastic bag facts
- 500 billion plastic carrier bags are used worldwide each year.
- 10 billion plastic bags were given out in 2008 in the UK.
Enough to fill nearly 200 Olympic sized swimming pools.
This roughly equates to 400 per household. (DEFRA) - Thousands of marine animals and more than 1 million birds die each year as a result of plastic pollution.
- Plastic bags not only litter our beautiful landscape, in flood conditions they block drains and pipes contributing to critical conditions.
- Even when plastic bags break down in landfill, they never completely go away. The remaining dangerous and toxic particles can still end up in the food chain, putting human and animal life at risk.
- A huge amount of harmful emissions are emitted during manufacture, shipment and recycling of plastic bags (for those that can be recycled, and many simply can’t).
- Even paper bags that come from a renewable source and are biodegradable require more energy than plastic bags to manufacture and transport.
What are the retailers doing?
Retailers are achieving results in reducing the use of plastic bags. Most of them now ask if you need bags, some are setting up collection points to encourage recycling and more and more have started to charge for plastic bags to try and stop us from using them.
Until the consumers lead the way by not taking or requesting plastic bags, retailers alone will struggle to make the difference that is needed.
Plastic bag tax or ban?
There is a strong chance that charging for bags will become mandatory in the future. Gordon Brown, and an increasing number of local councils are supporting the policy to tax or ban single use plastic bags.
What you can do
“As individuals, we can all help to reduce the number of bags distributed by reusing carrier bags and using longer-lasting reusable shopping bags – “bags for life”. All you need to do is remember to take these with you when you go shopping, and already you’ll be helping.” DEFRA
Reusable bags ARE the sustainable alternative to single use plastic bags
The whole point of a reusable bag is to reuse it! So many eco-bags are lumpy and unwieldy and just not practical to carry around on a daily basis. So they end up piling up in the boot of a car or stuffed in a cupboard at home and never actually make it on the shopping trip. The beauty with Fizbags is not only their unique patterns and designs, but most importantly they are easy to keep with you at all times. Making sure they get used over and over again.
The beauty of Fizbags is that they’re easy to remember. They are so small and compact yet strong and durable enough to be practical that you can have them with you every day, and hardly notice they are there at all.
By investing in a Fizbag reusable bag now, it is sure to save you money in the long term. And you’ll look stylish at the same time!
Small Change. Big Impact.
Why don’t you make a positive choice today? Imagine how many plastic bags you could stop using or storing in the cupboard or car boot. It’s a really easy way to make a valuable contribution to help save the environment.
Simply buy a very affordable and stylish Fizbag (or two) and pop them in your handbag! Then they’ll be there every time you need them!
(And don’t forget to tell your friends!)
Sources:
WRAP – Waste and Resources Action Programme
DEFRA – Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
