If you weren’t germ-phobic enough already, then this may put you over the top.
We have been conditioned to bring in our own recyclable bags so we can save plastic and paper. Some stores, such as Ikea, charge for their bags. They are so big, you can use them to hold everyone else’s bag and then some. They are currently holding a contest (see website above) to judge who is using their enormous, recyclable Ikea bag in the most creative, innovative fashion. Bet there are far more clever ideas than the storage monster.
Other stores, often grocers, give you a 5-cent bag credit for each one you bring in and use. Hello, it’s free advertising!
Now here’s the rub.
A study just came out which said that these bags may be harvesting all types of germs. Like from spilled foods or products that have sweated into the sides. That they create more problems than they solve.
Are we to go home and pop these bags into the dishwasher? Can they sustain the temperatures? Will they lose their insulating functions?
What should we believe–trash our bags or clean them out? Recycle them?
There’s so much to be frightened of that my recyclable bag collection is way down on the list.
Now, salmonella, that’s a different story.
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Bag It Up–My Bag, Please « Allbeforecoffee’s Blog said
[…] put your merchandise in a store paper bag as more places have phased out plastic. Some stores, like Ikea, charge for bags. Some shops even give you a small savings for each bag you […]