Plastic? Bag It. – Highlander Magazine

Sometimes it seems like there’s nothing as convenient as throwing your lunch into a sandwich baggie or using the grocery bags offered at checkout, but as we’re starting to recognize the negative effect plastic has on our environment, more people are looking for eco-friendly alternatives. Reducing our plastic waste is imperative, and it’s easier than we might think.

Sustainable Solution

If you have plastic grocery bags right now, reuse them! An important part of going “green” that’s often overlooked is the reuse part. Reuse anything you can, because creating more waste is destructive. So first, always try to make do with what you have. Take an old canvas bag or even DIY your own pillowcase produce bag. There’s a lot of room for creativity when looking for sustainable solutions. Plastic alternatives are generally more durable anyway. Then, as those become too worn to use, recycle those and invest in reusable bags, planning to use them for as long as you can!

Here are a few resources in Cache Valley and some favorite products to help you reduce your waste:

The USU Farmers Market takes place on Wednesdays at the TSC Fountains from 11-3, and offers $5 reusable totes for students! It goes until October 9th, so be sure to make it out there these next two weeks
Smiths, Walmart, and Lee’s Marketplace all offer cheap reusable bags that can be found near the checkout
The Sustainability Club and other campus organizations often give produce bags out at their socials and meetings, or make them as an activity