The Over-Accumulation of Reusable Bags: A Growing Concern in North America
In recent years, North America has seen a significant shift away from single-use plastic bags, with major retailers making the transition to reusable alternatives. However, this well-intentioned move has led to an unexpected problem: an over-accumulation of reusable bags in closets and car trunks across the continent. As BagFizz, a supplier of reusable and paper bags in Canada and the USA, we feel it’s crucial to address this issue and offer sustainable solutions.
Despite the ban on single-use plastic bags in Canada, many customers are struggling to adapt to this change. It’s not uncommon to find closets and car trunks overflowing with reusable bags, as people frequently forget to bring them to the store and end up purchasing more. According to Tony Walker, a professor at Dalhousie University specializing in plastics and plastic pollution, this behavior is unsustainable. “We’re treating them like single-use items, so it’s almost replacing one single-use item like the plastic bag with a reusable bag,” Walker explains .
This sentiment is echoed by Ottawa shopper Chelsea Currie-Reid, who admits to having over 50 reusable bags in her garage. “I have so many because I buy them all the time and then I forget them,” she says. This scenario is all too familiar for many consumers who find themselves buying new bags each time they shop because they forgot the ones they already own.
The issue is further compounded by the fact that regulations banning single-use plastic bags remain in force. Despite a Federal Court ruling that deemed the decision to list plastic items as toxic “unreasonable and unconstitutional,” the government is appealing the decision. In the meantime, major retailers have continued to enforce the ban, but customers are still catching on to the new habit.
Andrea Ashbaugh, a clinical psychologist and associate professor at the University of Ottawa, sheds light on why this adjustment period is challenging. She notes that research on habit development shows it can take anywhere from 21 to 60 days for an average person to adjust. “Change is a really difficult thing,” Ashbaugh says, adding that it depends on how often you’re doing the activity you’re trying to change. She suggests strategies such as leaving the bags in your car or packing one in your purse or backpack to help remember them.
Unfortunately, even with these strategies, some shoppers like Melissa Kouassi find themselves with an excessive number of reusable bags. Kouassi initially estimated having about 20 bags at home but later admitted the number was closer to 50. This accumulation not only defeats the purpose of switching to reusable bags but also raises concerns about their environmental impact.
Walker points out that non-woven polypropylene bags, like those commonly sold at Walmart, will never break down into nutrients. “They continue to break down into smaller plastic particles, microplastics or nanoplastics, so they never really go away,” he says. This highlights the need for critical behavior change to make reusable bags truly beneficial for the environment.
At BagFizz, we believe that while reusable bags are a step in the right direction, their effective use requires a shift in consumer behavior. We encourage our customers to adopt mindful habits such as keeping bags inaccessible places and reusing them as much as possible. Additionally, choosing high-quality reusable bags that can withstand multiple uses is essential.
As we navigate this transition away from single-use plastics, it’s important to remember that sustainability isn’t just about using reusable bags; it’s about using them responsibly. By making small changes in our daily habits, we can collectively reduce our environmental footprint and ensure a greener future for all. (Reference: CBC.ca)
