In the bag? Not so fast ...
Reusable grocery bags are becoming almost as ubiquitous as the single-use plastic bags they’re designed to replace, but the choices can be overwhelming. Canvas? Nylon? Tyvek? Nonwoven polypropylene? Hemp? Any bag that’s routinely reused is more environmentally friendly than single-use plastic, but the greenest choice isn’t always clear. Each material has pros and cons, and ultimately the best alternative to the single-use plastic bag is the one shoppers are most likely to remember to bring to the store. CANVAS Pros: Strong. Durable. Machine washable. Renewable. Biodegradable. Cons: Bulky. Most often made from cotton grown with high quantities of pesticides and water. Even organic cotton requires a lot of water. HEMP Pros: Lightweight. Strong. Durable. Machine washable. Renewable. Biodegradable. Grown with far less water and fewer pesticides than cotton. Cons: Can’t be grown legally in the U.S., so the material is imported, most often from China. NONWOVEN POLYPROPYLENE Pros: Widely available. Inexpensive. Strong. Soft. Lightweight. Can go in L.A. recycling bins. Sometimes made with recycled plastic. Often comes in an easy-to-use, flat-bottomed shape. Cons: Most are made in China. Non-biodegradable. RIPSTOP NYLON Pros: Compact. Extremely high strength-to-weight ratio: A 2-ounce bag can carry 50 pounds and fold to the size of a tissue pack. Waterresistant. Machine washable. Fast drying. Durable. Cons: Can’t be recycled curbside.
TYVEK
Pros: Lightweight. Strong. Durable. Machine washable. Can be recycled (though not in all curbside programs). If sent to a landfill, chemicals remain inert and won’t leach into groundwater.
Cons: Made from high-density polyethylene and isn’t biodegradable.