Reusable bags, intended as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic, can easily accumulate in homes, prompting organizers and sustainability experts to offer advice on managing excess quantities. Professional home organizer Britnee Tanner frequently encounters clients with overflowing collections of reusable bags, often found under sinks or in pantries.
"They just are sneaky," Tanner said. "I purchased a handful of these and then somehow I've collected ones I've never purchased, and I don't really know where they've come from."
While the environmental impact of a single reusable bag is minimal, accumulating too many can lead to cluttered living spaces. The key, experts say, is to keep a manageable number of well-loved bags that are actually used. Sustainability scientist Shelie Miller of the University of Michigan emphasizes that the environmental benefit comes from consistent reuse.
Single-use plastic bags are notorious for contributing to environmental pollution, breaking down into harmful microplastics. In response, 12 U.S. states have banned plastic grocery bags, with many more cities and towns implementing similar measures or bag taxes. This has led to an increased reliance on reusable options made from materials like canvas, cloth, or thicker plastic.
These reusable bags, however, require resources for production, including water for cotton or energy for manufacturing. The number of times a bag must be reused to offset its production's environmental cost varies by material. Durable, thicker bags often have a larger environmental footprint and require more uses to become beneficial.
To avoid accumulating more bags, organizers suggest being mindful of acquiring new ones. When forgetting reusable bags for shopping trips, alternatives like asking for cardboard boxes can be considered. For those who already have too many, a simple strategy is to select a favorite few for specific purposes.
Tanner advises clients to assign roles to their preferred bags: one for library books, a set for groceries, and another for packed lunches. After use, these bags should be returned to their designated storage spots to ensure they are ready for the next outing.
Excess bags can be donated to various organizations. Thrift stores, food banks, and community organizations often accept reasonably clean, undamaged reusable bags. For example, Las Vegas Books offers donated bags to customers, while the Burbank Animal Shelter uses larger totes for supplies. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey has been collecting reusable bags since 2022 to provide to visitors of their food pantries.
Organizations like the Community FoodBank of New Jersey have found reusable bags to be a consistent need, with their president Elizabeth McCarthy stating, "They're always something that our pantries need, and that we have available on hand whenever we can."