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Question: Paper or plastic?

The Bite
Answer: Neither. Shopping bags create an insane amount of waste for something that's often in our lives for fewer than 5 minutes (store to car, car to house). Next time you grocery shop, BYOB (bring your own bag).

The Benefits
1.    Save oil and/or trees. In the US, about 12 million barrels of oil and 14 million trees go to producing plastic and paper bags each year.
2.    Reusing makes cents. Stores like Albertsons and Wild Oats offer a 5-penny discount if you bring your own.
3.    Be a role model. Other shoppers'll watch and learn.
4.    Make sure plastic bags don't harm sea creatures. They're one of the 12 most commonly found items in coastal cleanups.

Personally Speaking
Jen's been bringing her own since early on, when toting a canvas bag to the store wasn't so popular - garnering her a bunch of weird looks. She still gets the weird looks, but for various other reasons.

Wanna Try?
If you drive, keep these handy in your car for unexpected grocery store stops:  Blue Lotus - handbag-happy Sara likes these best, especially because 10% of their profits go to protecting sea turtles harmed by the use of the bags ($5-15).

http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/archives/snuggle-up-with-old-soda-bottles