If you’re responsible for purchasing bags for your business, this is an important question: Which is better for the environment? Paper or plastic shopping bags? Or reusable versus disposable bags?

Without a doubt, reusable shopping bags or reusing previously acquired paper or plastic bags is the best course of action. Putting items in a bag may not even be necessary – so be sure to give customers an option to go “bag-free” if they choose.

The Environmental Protection Agency encourages businesses and consumers to reduce, reuse, and recycle paper and plastic bags.  It is easy to establish recycling collection bins at your business or offer small incentives to those customers who bring their own bags.

Businesses can help to reduce waste and encourage consumers to get into the “green habit” by offering inexpensive reusable shopping bags. Using reusable bags helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy, and avoid environmental impacts associated with the production of new paper and plastic bags.

It is important for everyone to properly dispose of their waste and businesses can encourage this behavior by providing both trash and recycling bins and encouraging customers to use them.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: More and more consumers care about preserving the environment every day, so show your customers you’re listening but providing options and incentives to reward their green behaviors. They’ll be more loyal to you as a result!