Environmental Sustainability: The Grocery Store

Environmental Sustainability isn't just about raising the actual food we consume; it's about living a sustainable life, where each act is considered a part of a more delicate balance of environmental concerns.

One thing that No Impact Man had mentioned in his film about sustainable living in New York City, that I thought was quite relevant and poignant was this:

"One of the things that I worry about when people say 'Individual Action is not important' is that the thing about Individual Action is that it causes people to be engaged."

This sentiment is most important when people live in areas where, otherwise, sustainability goes to the landfill. The first and probably most important simple act of Sustainable Activism is to bring your own bags to the grocery. The Boston Globe cites that "Of the 380 billion disposable plastic bags used each year in the United States, only 1 percent are recycled. The rest go to landfills, where they take ages to decompose." And that doesn't even count the resources it takes to create the plastic bags in the first place.

Plastic grocery bags are made from petroleum, both in the material and the production to create them. They are not biodegradable, and their degradation into the soil is in opposition to agroecology which works towards making healthy soil by which to grow healthy food.  In my opinion, every aspect of the plastic bag is in direct opposition to a sustainable future.

The Globe furthers the argument saying, in effect, that even under the most perfect conditions a single plastic bag will take over a thousand years to degrade completely. Where the chemicals from the bags truly end up is either the soil, water or air, none of which sound like a good option to me.

With that said, sometimes people forget to bring the bag to the grocery - I've been guilty of this. In this case you have two options: 1) purchase a reusable bag (most grocers have them now) or  2) ask for a recycled paper bag. Recycled paper bags aren't the best option ever, but they will suffice in a pinch.

If you are a company, here are some eco-friendly options to give your customers:

1. BioShopper Bag: The BioShopper biodegradable grocery bags are made in part from corn, an annually renewable resource. They will fully compost in 30-60 days in composting conditions. My only comment on this would be that the site doesn't declare whether or not this is GMO Corn, which, for me, would make a difference in my decision to purchase. They do, however, carry an assortment of different kinds of bags.
   


2. Customized Biodegradable Plastic Bags: This biodegradation process can take place aerobically and anaerobically. It can take place with or without the presence of light. These factors allow for biodegradation even in landfill conditions which are normally inconducive to any degradation.


3. Or no bag at all. Invite your customers to bring their own bag, and deduct the costs of bags from their total bill. Considering that many grocers give 1 plastic bag for less than 3 items, it should save the company a bundle as well as promote an idea of environmental activism that will thrive in our recent eco-friendly economy.