You Dirty Bags | The Reusable Bag Debate Redux

July 23, 2010 - PRLog -- A recent study touts findings that reusable bags are nothing but germ-riddled disease carriers, (especially if you tend to carry dirty diapers in the same bag used to carry groceries) that could spread disease and cause serious illness, even death.  

The report, “Assessment of the Potential for Cross Contamination of Food Products by Reusable Shopping Bags,” a joint food-safety research report was issued June 24, 2010 by the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University in California.

They say: “Our findings suggest a serious threat to public health, especially from coliform bacteria including E. coli, which were detected in half of the bags sampled.” Charles Gerba, a UA professor of soil, water and environmental science and co-author of the study, goes on: “Furthermore, consumers are alarmingly unaware of these risks and the critical need to sanitize their bags on a weekly basis.”

Serious stuff and they have some good points, but before throwing away all reusable bags, consider the source. Although conducted independently, the group that funded this study is the American Chemistry Council (ACC), which merged with The American Plastics Council in 2002.

Business groups in the Plastics DIvision of the ACC include The Plastics Foodservice Packaging Group, Center for the Polyurethanes Industry and EPS Resin Suppliers Group, among others. (http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/index.asp)  Not only does the ACC have a very large lobby in Capitol Hill, they also have a very large budget for PR.  http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=American_Chemi...

Before throwing away all of those reusable bags, there are some facts to consider.  

An estimated 100 billion plastic bags are thrown away in the U.S. every year, according to the Worldwatch Institute.  Increasingly, the trend at many grocery stores and major retailers has been an attempt to decrease the use of plastic bags by offering reusable bags for sale at checkout lanes. A person using reusable bags 4 or 5 times a week will replace about 520 plastic bags a year - multiply that by even half the population of the USA and those are significant numbers.  No wonder the plastics industry is kicking their PR assault against reusable bags into high gear.

The study’s primary concern is the bacteria-laden bags being used by the unsuspecting public, thus putting everyone in danger.  Regardless of the bag used, checkout counters are notoriously loaded with bacteria anyway, and any item that is placed on a checkout counter may be contaminated. That’s why we wash our produce before we eat it and wash our hands after handling and putting away groceries.  And really, who actually slings raw meat in the same bag that has carried dirty diapers or used gym clothes?  

A simple solution is to wash your bags with soap and water, or clean them with an anti-bacterial wipe. Or just throw them in the washer.

Truly Eco-friendly

But remember, even reusable bags are not the best or long-term alternative to plastic. This is because most so-called 'green bags' are actually made from a non-woven polypropylene. They're made from oil.

Th future lies with renewability not just reusability which is why NaturalJute.org recommends the use of a renewable, sustainable natural fiber for bag material, such as Jute. Jute is an organic, durable, truly ecofriendly material that will last for years, and for  grocery shopping bags typically comes lined with a food-grade LDPE lining.

So plastics and oil beware. You dirty bags will soon be rendered untouchable. Choose Jute.


[images courtesy of http://www.naturaljutebags.com - US Wholesale Supplier]

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NaturalJute.org | Advocacy For The Use Of Eco-friendly Jute Bags.

Did You Know That Most Reusable Bags Are Made From Oil?