Here at WiseDime, we’re all about saving you money. But this time around, it looks like the world is going to force you to make some purchases you won’t necessarily like. Countries are officially banning the distribution of single-use plastic bags, forcing consumers to purchase reusable plastic bags, canvas bags, cooler bags, and other alternatives to carrying your groceries home. Here’s the breakdown of how much this could cost you.
Reusable Plastic Bags are your cheapest option, at about 15-20 cents per bag; however, it defeats the whole purpose of trying to eliminate the plastic waste by purchasing more plastic products. If you’re on a super tight budget, pick up four or five of these for a very inexpensive price.
Chiller Bags cost about $2.50 a pop, but will make sure your groceries stay insulated properly on your drive home, which can save you the money from mishaps like leaving that ice-cream in the back of the car for too long. They’re more rigid in structure, however, so it limits the amount you can fit into one bag.
Canvas Bags can be upwards of 3 dollars per bag, but is the most environmentally friendly option. Just remember, once you purchase them once, you’ll never have to buy more again, as the goal is to get consumers to reuse their bags over and over for years. Especially in cities where they charge a fee for single-use bags, this could actually be a tactic for saving money in the long run.
Let’s not only work towards a universally healthier environment, but also a universally wealthy wallet.
