Reusable grocery bags have become a common sight in households and shopping trips across Canada due to the widespread bans on plastic bags. Shoppers are now presented with a variety of options when it comes to choosing between flimsy cloth bags resembling T-shirts or investing in sturdier totes. To determine the durability of these bags, Marketplace conducted a test.
According to the Canadian government, bags containing plastic are considered reusable if they can endure 100 trips of 53 meters each while carrying 10 kilograms without tearing or breaking. Although this regulation is currently under dispute by the plastics industry, Marketplace took it upon themselves to test bags sold at various Canadian retailers. Bags from Sobeys, Real Canadian Superstore, Dollarama, Walmart, and Metro were purchased and tested alongside a single-use plastic bag for comparison.
At a running track in Whitby, Ontario, student athletes were tasked with carrying groceries weighing 10 kilograms in different bags to simulate a typical shopping trip. Out of the 12 bags tested, seven failed the durability test, including the single-use plastic bag. The thinner cloth bags, including one from Sobeys, failed after just five trips.
Notably, a cotton tote bag from Dollarama and thicker plastic bags demonstrated better durability, with the Dollarama bag lasting all 100 trips without any damage. In response to the findings, Walmart and Dollarama stated that their bags meet government standards, while Metro mentioned offering stronger alternatives for heavier loads. Sobeys and Loblaw did not provide a response.
Karen Wirsig from Environmental Defence expressed concern over companies potentially bypassing regulations to introduce more plastic products into the market. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin declined an on-camera interview regarding bags failing to meet federal standards, citing the ongoing legal battle over proposed regulations.
Experts suggest that consumers should prioritize reducing, reusing, and recycling existing bags before switching to sturdier options. While single-use plastic bags have a low carbon footprint, manufacturing cotton bags requires significantly more resources. Paper bags also pose environmental challenges when they break down, releasing carbon and methane into the atmosphere.
Wirsig advocates for industry changes to promote a circular approach to carrying goods, suggesting alternatives like reusing shipping boxes or implementing free reusable bag programs. She also recommends repurposing old bags as trash bin liners instead of purchasing additional items.
