Bring your own reusable bag when you go shopping and pass on the plastic bags. Plastic bags have long been a staple of modern convenience living, but the cost of convenience is starting to add up environmentally. Plastic bags ultimately end up in the landfill and even then they can take 10-1000 years to break down. On average Americans use 100 billion plastic bags a year, which require 12 million barrels of oil to produce. Switching to reusable bags not only reduces plastic waste but they are also more durable and washable. I have made the switch to reusable shopping bags and it wasn’t that hard after all.  I purchased reusable shopping bags (most were $1) from the local grocery stores in town. Every grocery store in town offers a reusable alternative to the plastic bag.  I store my reusable bags in the trunk of my car so I don’t forget them.  It may sound daunting at first but it has been easy to pass on the plastic. Keep sending me your trash reducing tips.