Plastic, or Not?

I had a long debate yesterday about plastics.  He is selling biodegradable car litter bags.  He says they break down in 3 or 4 years in the landfill.  I fell like we should avoid using plastics at all.  My stance is that I buy nothing new that is plastic if I can help it.  I have plastic items, like the shower curtain, but it is 16 years old, is no longer bleeding off toxins.  When or if I need to replace it I will buy a hemp one.  I do not use plastic to store food in, I do not cook in the microwave except in glass, I do not have carpet (polyester is plastic!), I use, at the most, one trash bag a week, sometimes not even that; I compost all paper, food scraps, any food containers.  I take bags I made from used clothing to shop with.  I have muslin bags for produce or bulk items.  I use no polyester clothing, only hemp, cotton, silk.

I think the answer is not to use recycled bags for a litter bags. I purchased a car litter container 16 years ago and still use it.  Buying biodegradable plastic is better than buying the other choices, but not buying any is better!!  The only reason that I use a trash can liner is that I am required to have it for the trash service to pick it up.  But there is very little I have to throw away.  Many times I have NO TRASH to take to the curb for the whole week!  And I use recyclable bags-  Bio-Bags.  They are available online or in most health food stores.

My friend says that most people are not going to use or buy a cloth litter bag for the car. I would rather do everything I possibly can to show and educate people on how to do without disposable anything, as much as possible.  The above post about the ice shelf melting should motivate you!

Some other products that will help you avoid disposables;

Wrap-N-Mat®

Kleen Kanteen