Plastic Bags

Most American households have a growing number of plastic grocery bags stuffed in various nooks throughout their kitchens. Why is that? Since a typical plastic carryout bag weighs approximately 4-5 grams and can hold up to 17 pounds of product – nearly 2,000 times its own weight – they can come in handy. The question is what happens next? Plastic bags can be recycled. However, unlike plastic bottles, many curbside programs will not accept plastic bags. Based on their lack of weight, these bags can easily get stuck inside machinery during the recycling process. The good news is that many major grocery chains now accept plastic bags and plastic wrap at their stores. To really help cut down on waste, remember to reduce (Do you really need a bag for that DVD?) and then recycle.