Craft Idea Helps Individuals to Shop Green

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Plastic and paper bags have been the primary means of toting home groceries for as long as many can remember. Decades of disposable bag use has had quite a negative impact on the environment. Changing individuals' shopping habits and use of disposable bags may be as simple as offering them a gift that is both creative and green.

Estimates say that each year as many as one trillion plastic bags are consumed. Most of these bags end up as litter and trash. The trouble with plastic bags is that they don't biodegrade, they photodegrade, according to Reusablebags.com. This means they break down into smaller bits that can poison the soil and be ingested by animals but never fully go away. Hundreds of thousands of marine animals die every year due to supposed plastic consumption.

Although many people collect and reuse their plastic shopping bags, the majority eventually make their way to the trash. However, for every reusable shopping bag a person relies upon, there is the potential to eliminate the need for hundreds or thousands of plastic bags. That helps save money and the enivronment while reducing oil consumption.

In an effort to reduce plastic bag consumption, many retailers sell reusable tote bags. These bags are made from canvas or other materials and are purported to be stronger than plastic or paper counterparts. Plus, because they can be used repeatedly, they're a smart choice for those looking to go green. Consumers will find that the majority of these bags are emblazoned with the logo of a store or another advertisement-driven slogan or image. The idea of carrying around a walking billboard may not appeal to some. With a few supplies, one can create a reusable bag that fits his or her personality and style. Kids can even get in on the act and give the bags out as gifts.

Check out your nearest craft/hobby or big box store, which is likely to sell canvas tote bags. They may even come in multiple colors. If you don't have luck there, you can probably purchase them online, and maybe even in bulk. The same craft stores will offer many supplies for embellishing the plain tote bags. Choose among paints and stencils, iron-on transfers, beads, foam kits, and so much more. Office supply stores even sell specialty paper that enables you to print out photos or other designs and then iron them onto clothing, bags and other items.

People may be more inclined to go with a reusable tote for shopping and errands when it's a handmade gift or something they simply made themselves. Here are the many ways to put a reusable bag to work:

* store several in your car so they'll be on hand for shopping excursions

* give one to children for carrying extra items from school that may not fit into their backpacks

* keep one tucked in a desk drawer at the office for lunch-time excursions

* give one to a person who enjoys knitting or crocheting to hold needles and yarn

* hang one in the closet to collect loose mittens, gloves and hats

* keep a reusable bag in the pantry or on the back of a cabinet door to collect the plastic shopping bags you may still accumulate

* create one especially for pre-schoolers with their name on the front to hold nap time blankets or a change of clothes

There are many other ways to put reusable bags to use. Spend some time thinking of your needs and the needs of those around you.