Reusable Shopping Bags: The Truth About Soft Plastic Recycling
We’ve all been there: you reach under the kitchen sink and pull out a mountain of “reusable” soft plastic bags. You likely bought these reusable shopping bags with the best intentions, thinking that once they’ve seen better days, you’ll simply drop them back at the supermarket recycling point.
However, a startling reality has come to light. Recent environmental investigations have revealed that up to 70% of the soft plastic collected through supermarket “take-back” schemes is actually burnt, not recycled.
The Problem with Most Reusable Shopping Bags
While many of us feel a sense of accomplishment dropping off our old bread bags and “bags for life” at the store, the infrastructure to handle them simply isn’t there. Most reusable shopping bags made of thin plastic are notoriously difficult to process.
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Machinery Meltdowns: In standard recycling centers, soft plastics get tangled in the sorting machinery, causing expensive breakdowns.
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The Burning Truth: Because mechanical recycling is so difficult, the majority of what you return is turned into “fuel pellets” or incinerated. You can read more about the global challenges of plastic circularity here.
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Downcycling: The small percentage that is recycled is often “downcycled” into items that cannot be recycled a second time.
Why Quality Reusable Shopping Bags are the Solution
If recycling soft plastic is a “green myth,” how do we shop sustainably? The answer lies in true reusability rather than “disposable reusables.”
The goal isn’t just to find a bag that might be recycled, but to find a system so durable that it never needs to be. This is where a high-quality trolley bag system changes the game. Unlike thin plastic bags that stretch and tear, our heavy-duty bags are designed for years of service.
By investing in a dedicated shopping system, you aren’t just avoiding single-use plastic; you’re opting out of the broken soft-plastic recycling cycle entirely.
Make the Switch to a Lifetime Solution
It’s time to stop relying on a recycling system that isn’t working. By switching to our professional Trolley Bag sets, you reduce your household waste at the source. No more plastic mountains under the sink, and no more “recycling” trips that end at an incinerator.
Visit our latest collection to find the perfect eco-friendly companion for your next grocery run.
