With an ever increasing awareness of how humans are having a negative impact on the environment, it has become quite popular for individuals to come up with creative ways to minimize their carbon footprint. One does not necessarily have to change his lifestyle in order to have a positive impact on the environment. Rather, by adapting small changes in one's life, one can do his part to create a healthier planet for future generations. One small change which has become mainstream among society, is the utilization of reusable grocery bags. These bags are often composed of recycled plastic, or are woven with organic cotton material. These bags are wonderful to use in place of plastic grocery bags. While grocery bags are some of the most heavily discarded items on the planet, these reusable bags can be used for several years, and are a great way to bring awareness to environmental conservation.

Discarded plastic bags not only crowd up landfills and take hundreds, or even thousands, of years to decompose, but they are one of the leading causes of marine and wildlife death. Every day, sea turtles, birds and other wildlife die, as a result of consuming plastic bags. When wildlife ingests plastic bags, this causes intestinal blockage, preventing their systems from absorbing any nutrients from additional food sources. These animals eventually perish from starvation. Fish are also negatively affected by the chemicals often found in plastic bags. If everyone were to make a habit of utilizing reusable bags for their groceries, millions of animals could be saved.

Reusable bags do not only have to be utilized for groceries. They are a wonderful way to carry school books, baby gear, workout clothes, and other items around as well. Reusable bags now come in a variety of chic colors, prints and designs, making it easy to customize them to one's wardrobe. They are great for kids, and make wonderful birthday gifts.

It is stated, that a reusable grocery bag will replace hundreds of plastic bags over the course its lifetime. Although utilizing a reusable bag may seem like a small change, it can have a lasting impact on the environment. Reusable grocery bags only cost a few dollars, and can be purchased at a variety of retailers, including many grocery stores, as well as online outlets. By using these bags, everyone can do their part to make the world a better place.