Plastic Bags And Packaging Are A Waste Of Money

Joe Fowler
Author: Joe Fowler Time for reading: ~4 minutes Last Updated: December 02, 2022
Plastic Bags And Packaging Are A Waste Of Money

Today, plastic bags can be found everywhere. Every day we use a huge number of plastic bags: when we go to the store, to a cafe or somewhere else. Despite their practicality, in most cases, plastic bags and packaging are an unnecessary expense, and also harmful to the environment. But is it necessary to pack every single thing

Today, plastic bags can be found everywhere. Every day we use a huge number of plastic bags : when we go to the store, to a cafe or somewhere else. Of course, plastic bags are extremely convenient: waterproof, light, durable and quite cheap compared to paper bags .

However, we should not forget that, despite their practicality, plastic bags and packaging have two significant disadvantages:

 
  • Irreparable damage to the environment.

  • In most cases, this is still an unjustified and wasted money.

Is it necessary to pack each individual item in individual plastic packaging ? Is it necessary to buy a new bag every time at the supermarket, when most of us have a " bag of bags " at home. Maybe you should think about it.

Even more packaging

I think each of us has noticed that products by weight - whether vegetables, fruits or cereals - are always cheaper than their packaged counterparts . The price may differ by a hryvnia, by two, or by multiples. The better the packaging , the bigger the difference. However, you should not fall for the traps of marketers here either.  

Of course, buying a package of sausages or rice seems faster and easier, but let's think: is it really so much effort from us to buy the same products, but by weight. Mostly, if they are in no way inferior to the quality of prepackaged ones.

In addition, it is worth mentioning one of the favorite moves of manufacturers - packs of 850, 900 or 950 g instead of 1000. Often we do not pay attention to this, and we do not save in any way, if we do not overpay at all. Therefore, if at first glance the price of the packaged product and the weight are the same, pay attention to the capacity.

You can't also forget about the aspect of utility and reliability — it's much easier to check the quality of a bulk product. Vegetables and fruits can be inspected from all sides for damage, choose those that you like the most. Groats are easy to check for pests or moisture. And again, choose the product and as much as you want.

The same applies to products cut and packaged by the store itself - sausage cuts, cheeses, etc. It would seem convenient, brought it home, opened the package and immediately put it on the couch. However, it has been proven. That such a cut is many times more expensive than the same amount of product in one piece. Plus, you can never be sure of the quality of such food, because the expiration date on such packaging is either rather vaguely indicated, or may be pasted altogether. And the product could undergo any treatment to improve the appearance before being repackaged.

 

Plastic bags

Give up the habit of coming from the supermarket with a new package every time . Polythene bags are durable enough to be able to use the same bag at least several times. Before you go grocery shopping, grab a few packages from home. This will save you a hryvnia or two at the supermarket checkout every time. And if it becomes a habit, it will become, albeit a small one, your personal contribution to the preservation of the environment.

Also, please note the following. Often, the cashier additionally packs such products as sour cream, butter, etc. in small "disposable" transparent plastic bags . But is it necessary if the manufacturer has packed the product and plastic packaging quite reliably . Such a service is usually free and will not make your purchase more expensive, but when it comes to that, it is important for the environment.

Take as a rule - the less polyethylene, the better. For the wallet, for the environment, for health. Use packaging and bags only when absolutely necessary.

If you do not like the option of carrying bags from home, there is a great alternative - special bags for products, eco-bags. Of course, the price of such a bag is higher than a package , but if you make such a purchase and forget about buying packages in the future, then such a bag will soon pay for itself. And, also, it is modern, stylish and completely ecological.

 

Environmental crisis

In the environment, discarded polyethylene bags are stored for a long time and do not undergo biological decomposition. Thus, they form persistent pollution.

4 trillion packets per year are used worldwide. They, in turn, kill 1 million birds, 100,000 marine mammals and countless schools of fish.

6 million 300 thousand garbage, most of which is plastic, is annually thrown into the world's oceans. Captain Charles Moore, a member of the sea voyages of the Algalita Marine Research Organization (AMRF), concluded that a quarter of the water surface is covered with floating plastic debris.

The global non-governmental organization "For Nature" established that more than 100,000 whales, seals, and turtles die annually from plastic bags in Newfoundland alone.

And it is unprofitable for waste processing enterprises to accept plastic bags , since they have a very low value as recycled raw materials.

 

To make sure of the effectiveness of giving up unnecessary packages and packaging , conduct a small experiment. Always go for groceries with your bags or a special grocery bag, and also, don't buy packaged groceries when you don't need to. Instead, save the money you would have spent on packages or packaging in a piggy bank at home. As experience shows, the amount of savings can reach from 200 hryvnias in six months.

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