How many plastic bags do you need?

Even those of us who try our hardest to take our own bags to the store most likely have plastic bags stashed away somewhere. Some of us have quite a few. The first question is: do you reuse them? If you don't use them to replace trashcan liners, or scoop up dog poop, or reuse at the store, then take that stash to the grocery store and toss them in the bag recycle bin. Done. Try to carry your own bags from now on and help reduce the world's trash problem.

If you do reuse the bags, the question is how many do you need?  I use the bags that somehow still appear in my house to replace trash can liners. Only you know how many you need in, say, a month. Probably fewer than you think. Recycle the rest. Consider not using plastic bags at all and buy yourself some sturdy grocery bags that can be used forever. The only trick is remembering to take them to the store.

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