How to Properly Dispose of and Recycle Plastic Bags

What to do with your old Disposable Plastic Bags - Where and How to Get Rid of Them

Maybe you've made the switch to reusable bags, and you still have some disposable plastic bags lying around your home. Or, maybe once in a while you forget your reusable bag. At some point or another, you're still going to wind up with a plastic bag or two, even if you have reusable bags. So what do you do with them?

Most grocery stores have receptacles for used plastic bags. Try the can and bottle redemption room, or near the entrance (you might find them between the sets of sliding doors, in the breezeway). If you can't find them, ask customer service. They can point you in the right direction on where you can dispose of them in the store.

How to Lessen Plastic Bag Consumption in Your Household

The next step after disposing of your plastic bags is to reduce the amount of plastic bags you use in the first place! Here are 7 easy ways you can do just that, starting today:

1. Have some reusable bags in your car at all times. Keep them there, and return them once you've brought in your grocery bags.

2. Instead of a purse, use a large reusable bag. One of our sturdy, canvas reusable bags is a great alternative!

3. Keep a set of reusable bags in all of your cars. This way, you're always prepared.

4. Don't take plastic bags at restaurants. Do you really need a plastic bag for that small take-out container? Probably not. And if you do, skip the plastic bag, and put it inside one of your reusable bags in your car.

5. Use your reusable bags when shopping at the mall. The grocery store isn't the only place you shop that gives you reusable bags. Wal-Mart, the mall, the local deli -- these all might throw your items in a plastic bag.

6. Give a reusable bag. Have extra reusable bags? Give a few to someone who could use them. Or, purchase some new ones as a gift!

7. Fold up a reusable bag and keep it in your purse. Fold it on up, so you'll have it on-hand all the time!