A research study shows that reusable grocery bags are worse for the environment than single-use plastic bags. The British study shows that a shopper will have to use a reusable cloth bag 131 times while going once a week for two years before making an impact on the environment.
It's not only making the reusable bag that creates more waste than a single-use plastic bag but also the cotton that is needed to make the bag, the plastic used for the catchy sayings on the bag, and eventually throwing that reusable grocery bag away.
To reduce waste state lawmakers banned single-use plastic bags at large retail stores throughout California in August of 2014, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Shoppers in the state are now required to purchase single-use plastic bags if those are preferred.
Among the efforts to make less of an impact on the environment, the state has also enacted legislation that requires customers to ask for plastic straws.
