BYOB

Paper or Plastic--No Thank You!

I used to think that paper was better, since you could recycle it, but I have learned that both are horrible for the environment and should be avoided at all costs.

Between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are used every year worldwide. These bags are made from petroleum derivatives, and they do not biodegrade. They are a menace to marine life: they end up in our rives and oceans, choking and killing many sea creatures.

Believe it or not, paper bags may be worse. Even though paper is biodegradable, it takes more energy to make and creates more waste than two plastic bags. Only 20% of paper bags are recycled and they take up nine times as much space in landfills as plastic bags do.

The solution is a simple one: bring your own sturdy, reusable bags. Depending on how much grocery shopping you do, you will probably need around six bags. I purchased mine at Canadian Tire for less than $1 apiece.