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Pack a reusable bag into your next shopping trip

Tribune photo by KATHY MOORE

In our test, one reusable or paper bag held as much as four plastic bags.

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By CLOE CABRERA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 29, 2009

Paper, plastic or resusable — ever wonder which holds more? We did, so we put them to the test.

With help from Emily McAlister and Laura Trent, trained baggers at the Publix on South Dale Mabry Highway, we loaded each with the same amount of groceries: one box of cereal, a 2-liter soda, a bottle of pancake syrup, a pound of coffee, loaf of bread, four boxes of fettuccine, two bottles of spaghetti sauce, a 5-pound bag of rice and a jar of Parmesan cheese.

The paper and reusable bags were the clear winners; each held everything. It took four plastic bags to hold the same goods.

Which bag is right for you?

• Is it made from recycled materials, sustainable materials or eco-friendly fabrics?
• Are its size and shape going to meet your needs?
• Are the straps going to be comfortable for how you plan to carry it?
• Is the bag durable and washable?
• Will it stand easily when being filled with groceries?
• Is it so big that it will be too heavy to carry when it's full?

Since the goal of reusable bags is to have them for awhile, be sure to consider their quality before you buy.

Don't leave home without them

Once you've got your bags and your mind in the right place, all you need to do is remember to bring them with you. If you walk, you might want to look for a compact bag that folds into a pouch for easy stuffing into pocket or purse. Try keeping your bags by the front door, next to your grocery list or in plain view in your car.

Cities say no to plastic

Thirty years after plastic shopping bags showed up as a cheaper alternative to paper, they've come under increasing scrutiny for polluting roadsides and waterways, where they can be scarfed up by aquatic animals. In 2007, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban plastic bags in large grocery stores. Oakland is considering a ban, and New York and New Jersey require retailers to recycle them. Recently, Whole Foods Markets stopped offering plastic bags. Ikea charges for plastic. Florida has no pending legislation for the regulation of plastic bags.

Fewer bags, less waste

According to Plasticbags.com, Americans go through 100 billion bags per year. Because the plastic doesn't biodegrade, those bags can end up on the planet for up to 1,000 years. A family accumulates an average of 60 plastic bags in four trips to the grocery store, according to the Web site.

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