How many times do you have to reuse a reusable bag?

A report produced for the United Nations Environmental Programme in 2020 found a thick and durable polypropylene (PP) bag (they often have a woven feel) must be used for an estimated 10 to 20 times compared to one single use plastic bag, while a slimmer but still reusable polyethylene (PE) bag five to 10 times.



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The lifespan of a reusable grocery bag depends on factors such as the material it's made from, how often it's used, and how well it's cared for. With proper care, cotton and canvas bags can last up to three to five years, respectively, while polyester and nylon bags can last up to two to five years, respectively.

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As CNN reports, the carbon footprint of reusable totes actually outsizes their disposable counterparts many times over. In fact, according to an estimate from Denmark's Environmental Protection Agency [PDF], a cotton bag needs to be used at least 7100 times to offset the environmental impact of its production.

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Ultimately, producing one plastic bag is more sustainable than producing one cotton bag. However, repeatedly using your cotton bag until it's very last day, is more sustainable than repeatedly buying plastic bags. Reuse, reuse, reuse is always the answer when it comes to sustainability.

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POLYPROPYLENE is a form of plastic—a flexible resin polymer. Nonwoven polypropylene bags are regarded as the best reusable grocery bags by some, due to their low cost and relative durability.

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The biggest positive of reusable bags is that their use cuts down on the amount of litter on land and in the ocean. Studies have found that bans on plastic bags in cities in the United States and Europe have decreased the amount of plastic litter in nearby waters.

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