Our Burlap Bag - The Sun Of a Beach Diary

Plastic is not fantastic! Say “no” to plastic bags and use our complimentary and chic reusable burlap bag instead.

Plastic bags were recently banned from many countries all over the world. In some countries, such as Greece, stores have started charging for them in an effort to encourage consumers to bring their own bags when they go shopping. And for good reason! Our “disposable” lifestyle has created a state of emergency for our planet, especially our oceans, with an estimated 8 million tons of plastic being dumped into the ocean every year. Yikes! But, who wants to carry an ugly plastic bag around with them anyway? That’s why every Sun of a Beach Towel purchase comes in a chic reusable bag for all your shopping needs!

We offer a free burlap bag with every beach towel.

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Let’s start with the scary numbers:

5 trillion plastic bags are produced annually.
They can encircle the world 7 times.
Approximately 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year.
More than one million bags are used every minute.
A plastic bag has an average use of 15 minutes.
Only 1 to 3% of plastic bags are recycled.
Plastic in the ocean will outweigh fish by 2050.

What makes plastic so dangerous

1. Plastic has been a wonderful invention but unlike cloth or paper, which biodegrade fairly quickly, plastic is durable and strong and can sit around for at least 400 years. However, even if plastic actually breaks down, it still remains toxic. The reason is that it doesn’t biodegrade, it photo-degrades. Yeah, we didn’t know what that meant either. Basically, it simply breaks down into microscopic granules that are still toxic and capable of contaminating the environment as these small toxic pieces of petroleum, natural gas, and other chemicals cannot be digested by micro-organisms or become part of the ecology of the earth. In other words, it becomes trash you can’t see.

2. It should be: Even metal, in some ways, is better than plastic, as it sinks to the bottom of the ocean, while plastic floats on the surface where food sources of marine wildlife and seabirds lie. Turtles hunting jellyfish often mistake bags for food. Recently, a whale was found dead off the coast of western Norway with 30 plastic bags in its stomach and packaging labels in Danish and English. The non-biodegradable waste it had consumed could not be digested, creating pain and causing it to be malnourished. Sea lions, seals, fish, and dolphins are also affected. And don’t forget, the plastic in the ocean eventually reaches our plates through seafood.

What can you do?

Okay, so we can agree on the fact that plastic bags are to be avoided. And you know what? Between you and us, nobody looks fabulous holding a flimsy plastic bag emblazoned with a supermarket logo. This means, not only are we harming the planet, we’re also getting zero style points. Now, who wants that? But, you’re in luck, because every Sun of a Beach product comes in a chic, reusable burlap bag inspired by the Venetian dovecotes found on the island of Tinos. So, whether you’re stocking up at the supermarket, hanging out at the beach, or buying that embarrassing medication from the pharmacy (no annoying transparency!), you’ll not only look good but do good for the planet. Here are some other things you can do:

Reuse and recycle your plastic bags at home.
Support businesses that make the effort to reduce plastic bag usage.
Educate your children about the effects plastic bags have on the ecosystem (they are the future, after all).
Stop using plastic altogether.

Extra tips for reusable bags

Keep a foldable bag in your purse at all times (our burlap bag is perfect for this) and a less flexible one in the trunk of your car so you don’t forget them at home.
Clean and disinfect your reusable bags regularly. Use a disinfecting or sanitizing cloth on the insides and along the seams, and store in a dry environment.
Use separate bags for raw meats, seafood, produce, and non-food items.