It’s easy to overlook how many plastic bags you use each day because these bags are  such a big part of everyday life. And that’s the problem.

Plastic bags are a major problem for the environment. Animals get entangled in them, they can choke or poison them and when pieces of bags are ingested  it can block their digestive tracks. Not to mention when we eat fish that have eaten plastic, it ends up in our systems too.

It’s time to break our addiction to plastic bags. Here’s how you can reduce your use.

Count

Take a moment to count how many plastic bags you bring home in one week. The amount might surprise you and push you to make a change.

Invest in reusable bags

Purchase or make a set of reusable bags. It’s a good idea to have a few different sizes. Have a reminder to carry your reusable bags when you go shopping. Keep some in your car or fold one up and stick it in your purse, so you’ll always have a bag handy.

Refuse

It’s okay to say no to plastic bags. If you can comfortably carry what you’ve bought in your hands, then there’s no need to accept a bag. And if you get strange looks, just remember that you’re helping to save the planet!

Produce bags

Go fully green and carry your own produce bags with you to the store or market.

Help others

Give your friends and family reusable shopping bags as gifts to help them be more eco-friendly too.

It takes just small steps like these to take care of the planet that takes care of us.

Sources: Harmony Enterprises, One Green Planet