Green living and eco-friendly practices are taking the world by storm. While a green lifestyle is indeed, a wonderful way to live, it is also important to remember a few basics when using eco-friendly products, such as reusable shopping bags. According to results of a recent study published in the Daily Mail on July 1, 2010, scientists claim that reusable shopping bags harbor deadly bugs and could threaten public health.
Learn how to prevent illness and stay healthy while continuing to use eco-friendly shopping bags.
Types of Toxins Found in Eco-Friendly Shopping Bags
According to the results of recent research funded by the American Chemistry Council, tests on eco-friendly shopping bags revealed that “half the bags contained traces of the lethal toxin, E.coli” and many bags were infected with salmonella. These bugs can cause severe food poisoning and illness in users. According to an article titled, Carry bags contain deadly germs in the 'Times of India', on July 5, 2010, tests were conducted on shopping bags of a total of 84 shoppers and the researchers warned, “ … the levels of bacteria they found were high enough to cause a wide range of serious health problems and even death.”
How to Keep Reusable Shopping Bags Clean and Germ-Free
Keeping eco-friendly or cloth shopping bags clean and germ-free is actually quite simple and easy. All shoppers need to do is toss them into the washing machine and wash them with hot water and detergent weekly or even, every other day. If a cloth shopping bag is used to carry meat or other non-vegetarian products, shoppers should wash it in hot soapy water immediately after use. In other words, washing the reusable shopping bags regularly will be good enough to prevent bacteria buildup and resulting illnesses.
More Tips for Green Shopping
Here are some more eco-friendly shopping tips for green shoppers.
- Buy fresh produce that is in season. The farmer’s market is the best and greenest place to shop for fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables.
- Buy bulk packages of frequently used items, such as sugar or flour.
- Buy products in recyclable containers. For instance, items packaged in containers made from steel, glass or aluminum.
- Buy reusable items, such as cloth diapers for babies or rechargeable batteries.
Studies such as the one published by the American Chemistry Council are not meant to scare the green shopper but make them aware of the health risks posed by using a dirty or unwashed shopping bag. Simple steps such as washing the reusable shopping bag after a trip to the grocery store or farmer’s market will not only keep the bag clean and odor-free but also prevent diseases and illnesses.
Related Articles
Readers of this article may also enjoy reading Easy and Green Pest Control for the Home, The Quick and Green Way of Cleaning Windows and Best Green Gifts for an Eco-Friendly Home.
Prerna Malik - Prerna Malik is a professional freelance writer, business blogger, social media expert and obsessive organizer.
Join the Conversation