It seems like a lifetime ago when the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic started. With all of the panic, misinformation, and disorientation, it’s safe to say that the worst is behind us. But COVID-19 is far from the only issue we need to concern ourselves with. Indeed, some of the other pressing problems of the world are still here, with pollution and waste near the very top.
While the pandemic was raging, people were switching to plastic bags en masse out of safety. But was there a good reason to do so? Are plastic bags really better than reusable bags while the pandemic lasts, or is it the other way round? In this article, we will tackle this issue and try to find the answer to all of these questions.
So, Which One Is Better?
First, let’s handle the big one — which type of bag will be better for us during the pandemic? Well, it all depends on the way the particular virus spreads.
In early 2020, information about COVID-19 (and the coronavirus in general) was limited. We simply did not have the insight into how it works, and we needed more time to learn. That’s why the doctors would often share different, sometimes even contradictory information.
One such bit of info was related to the virus’ transmission. For the longest time, experts believed that we could get COVID-19 through physical touch. That’s why so many bottles of disinfectant and hand sanitisers were selling out across the globe. Because of that, carrying a canvas or a tote bag with us was dangerous. After all, germs can get stuck on the surface of the bag. We would effectively act as a carrier of the virus, both figurative and literal.
To that end, people concluded that buying single-use items was better. After all, we will simply use a plastic bag and then discard it before the virus has any time to multiply on it and spread.
However, near the end of the second wave, experts realised that the virus is not transmitted through touch but rather through respiration. Masks were still in use, but people were no longer forced to use any type of hand lotion or skin disinfectant.
So, with the key argument for choosing plastic over reusable gone, what’s the answer to that question? Well, the sustainable bags win, by a small margin. After all, even if our reusable bag won’t carry any contaminants, it still has some flaws when compared to plastic bags and vice versa.
Increasing the Use of Sustainable Products
There are plenty of methods which we can use to increase awareness about eco-friendly items. However, for the purposes of this article, we will stick to shopping bags.
As a retailer, we can provide customers with branded tote bags, mesh or solid. These bags will be perfect for any type of shopping since they are lightweight, durable, and long-lasting. In addition, we can do something similar to Ikea. In other words, we can leave custom shopping bags in strategic areas around our store. That way, shoppers can use them while getting their groceries and return the bags once they’re done shopping.
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Keeping Our Reusable Bags Safe
As stated earlier, merely touching the bag will not transmit the virus. However, airborne particles may find their way to the surface of our bag. So, just to be extra safe, we can do the following:
- Keep the bags with us when we go outside (we must not leave them lying around anywhere for any period of time)
- Spraying some sanitiser on our hands, the surface of the bag, and the handles before picking it up
- Hanging the bag somewhere to the side when coming home
- Sanitising our hands before taking any of the items outside of the bag
- Cleaning the bag with detergent regularly
- Leaving the bag to sun-dry after every wash (if possible).
Encouraging Sustainability in Our Community
As retailers, but also as shoppers, we need to try and spread awareness of sustainable item use as much as possible. Even during the pandemic, people will produce millions of tonnes worth of waste, and we will never reduce that number if we’re not proactive.
One way of encouraging our shoppers to be eco-friendly is through variety and clever design. Durable jute bags and cotton bags are always welcome, but if we add a few accessories, we will get more people to buy them. A simple inside pocket with a zipper or an additional change purse will definitely attract more customers. Furthermore, we can choose materials that will stay strong despite the shopping load within the bag. Materials, more importantly, that are biodegradable and easy to recycle.
Reusable vs Single-Use: The Debate Continues
Shoppers have a choice when it comes to which bags they’ll use, and that’s fine. But in order to help save the planet, we need to do our part in promoting sustainable shopping bags and letting consumers know just how beneficial they are in the long run. And the same goes for all other types of reusable products, such as cups, cutlery, napkins, dental hygiene tools, etc.
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Contact us at 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today for more info, and browse through our vast collection of custom bags. Some of them might nudge your imagination in the right direction and help you create coasters that your clients and customers will love at first glance. We are waiting for your call!
