Are Reusable Bags Good for the Environment?

Canvas bags and tote bags are alternatives to single-use plastic. But really, are reusable bags suitable for the environment?

Single-use plastic bags are a significant contributor to the global pollution crisis and a menace to our path to sustainable living. In fact, according to The World Counts, we use 5 trillion plastic bags per year. That breaks down to approximately 160,000 plastic bags per second and over 700 per person per year. Additionally, it’s estimated that 300 million plastic bags end up in the Atlantic Ocean each year. It’s no wonder that 127 countries worldwide regulate the use of plastic bags and encourage the use of reusable bags for the planet. But are reusable bags suitable for the environment?

With the success of Life Without Plastic campaigns, growing interest in sustainable brands, and Americans’ increasing openness to recycling, the popularity of eco-friendly products continues to rise. Many have swapped their usual plastic grocery bags for more “eco-friendly options,” like canvas and tote bags. However, while we can agree that the once-ubiquitous plastic bag needs an alternative, is there evidence that reusable bags are the most effective solution? We’ll let you know below!

Are reusable bags environmentally friendly?

It depends! Reusable bags can be used repeatedly and are a clear solution, as they create less waste in the long run.

However, different types of bags will have different impacts on sustainability. The term for determining a product’s environmental impact is “life cycle assessment” (LCA), which examines the raw materials, manufacturing, use, reuse, and final disposal of a product. According to a report by UNEP, “Depending on their composition, reusable bags might have to be deconstructed in a costly recycling process to separate the different materials. Consequently, in many cases, reusable bags are not recycled.” That means that despite the best intentions, millions of reusable bags, designed to replace the need for conventional plastic shopping bags, will also end up in landfills.

How often you use a bag matters.

Reusable bags only create less waste if people use them frequently enough to justify the manufacturing process and the resources required to produce them. The number of times a bag is used directly influences its environmental impact—the same applies to reusable water bottles and coffee cups. As a general rule, the more durable a bag is, the longer it will last. According to a life cycle assessment of grocery store bags conducted by the U.K.’s Environment Agency, conventional cotton totes should be reused 131 times, plastic bags 11 times, and paper bags three times to reduce their global warming potential.

Materials matter

The manufacturing process and raw materials will determine the environmental impact of your reusable bag. One alternative is paper bags, which are biodegradable but generally aren’t durable enough to be used as often as fabric tote bags. There are also concerns about deforestation—NBC reports that the U.S. uses approximately 14 million trees yearly to make paper shopping bags.

Cotton canvas totes are another option. They’re lightweight, biodegradable, and more durable than standard plastic and paper bags. However, producing conventional cotton requires a significant amount of land and water resources, and manufacturing these totes demands considerable energy.

Reusable bags might be made from recycled plastic, polyester, or nylon (plastic-based fabrics). These bags can be as durable as cotton totes. However, they still raise environmental concerns since they rely on crude oil as a raw material and require a significant amount of energy and water resources to produce. Additionally, washing polyester or nylon bags can create microplastics, which are tiny pieces of plastic that flow into the ocean and other water sources.

Are reusable bags recyclable?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, recyclable materials can be collected, sorted, processed, and ultimately manufactured into new items. When learning how to recycle and dispose of your reusable bags properly, you’ll find that most options don’t involve a landfill. Different approaches are based on the material (and those recycling symbols).

Recycling paper bags

In theory, paper bags are made from trees and are biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable. If your city recycles paper bags, you can place them in your recycling bin as long as they are clean (not soiled with oils or grease). However, each city or municipality has different recycling capabilities, so review their guidelines on paper bags.

Recycling cotton totes

While plastic and metal can be melted down and reused when recycled, cotton must be mechanically separated and processed. So, how the material is processed will impact how it’s recycled. Unfortunately, if synthetic material is mixed with cotton, it cannot be recycled. Since many facilities lack machinery designed for cotton totes, it’s best not to drop them into the recycling bin.

The good news is that if the bag is made from organic cotton and plant-based inks and dyes, you can compost it. This natural process involves the breakdown of organic materials into raw organic matter over several months. Sometimes, it consists of the help of wiggly creatures like worms. It’s also one of the best disposal methods, as it generates zero waste. Typically, organic cotton items are certified in the U.S. and will have a logo.

Use resources like Litterless to find composting facilities near you to determine where to send your compostable waste. You can also donate your cotton totes to local shelters or Goodwill storefronts. If your cotton totes are beyond reuse, you can use a service like www.recyclenow.com, to see where you can recycle cotton materials and other items.

Recycling reusable plastic bags

Some plastic bags are made to be reused. Many are thicker with wider handles to hold more weight. Others are made from polyester and might feel like a satin or cotton fabric. Some reusable plastic bags are even made from recycled ocean plastics. Since these reusable bags for the environment are made from plastic, make sure to research whether they can be placed into your recycling bin. Not every city in the U.S. has recycling machinery that can adequately handle upcycled plastic. If your city doesn’t accept plastic bags in the curbside recycling program, consider visiting your local grocery store to see if they’ll take back and recycle reusable plastic bags. Or use tools like Nextrex to access a directory of locations that accept reusable plastic bags.

How to choose the best reusable bags (and make them last)

Generally speaking, the most sustainable suitcase is one that you will carry with you and use often. On a life cycle basis, more robust bags—regardless of the material they are made from—will allow you to reuse them more frequently and have a smaller environmental impact.

A classic organic cotton tote might be the best choice for you if you’re looking for a bag that can carry all your sustainable essentials, such as your laptop, phone, keys, and wallet. This carry-all-day bag can replace your other bags, act as a convenient commuter bag, or be stored in the car for last-minute grocery trips. Best of all, you can throw these in the wash to clean them. Since cotton is prone to shrinking in the dryer, remember to hang your bags—not only will this save your tote, but it’ll also save energy.

An insulated bag might be best if you prefer a reusable bag for groceries only. Or perhaps you’re looking for something compact and available at a moment’s notice. If so, nylon Baggler Bags are the best option (they’re built to hold 14 pounds worth of items but fold up to the size of your fist). To care for plastic, polyester, or nylon bags, skip the washing machine, which can release microplastics into the atmosphere, and wipe them clean with a damp cloth and soap.

What to do with tote bags once you’re done with them

Give those reusable bags for the environment a second life once you’re done with them. If a few seams are coming undone, why not try resewing them? If that’s not an option, find other ways to upcycle your bag. An organic cotton tote can be recycled or used as a plant planter—you can even grow tomatoes in old tote bags. Another idea: Use the fabric as wrapping paper. Of course, if you can’t upcycle or reuse your bag, the best way to dispose of it is to find out whether it can be recycled.