What?

When you go shopping, you easily end up buying more than you planned, so you need a plastic bag. Plastic bags costs money, they're bad for the environment but you know that right now you don't really have a choice. While walking home or to your car, the weight of your groceries makes the plastic cut into your fingers. Your back may not appreciate the unbalanced weight of the bag on one arm. And if you're really not having your day the handling grip may break before you've reached home.

In contrast, it's much simpler to get used to carrying a small back pack wherever you go. Hardly any effort, and quite handy. They can hold a lot, their weight isn't quickly a problem for your back and the shoulder bands distribute the weight evenly over your left and right side.

Why?

Plastic bags are a nuisance to use -- they cannot hold much because their natural shape is flat, they lack thickness. They can tear because they are as thin as they are cheap. And an uneven weight distribution doesn't make your back complain for nothing -- pain is a warning signal sent by your body.

The plastic bag that is used for five minutes to keep groceries bundled while you walk to your car or home has a rediculously short life. To power that life, oil was pumped up from underground, and after its short useful life it usually ends in a waste burner, which sends it off into the air as CO₂.

Just imagine: an incredible amount of plastic bags constantly flowing from an underground oil chamber, with a five or ten minute break, straight into the air where it increases the greenhouse effect. Doesn't it make a lot more sense to carry a back pack with you, wherever you go?

How?

When you buy a back pack, be sure to buy a stirdy one. They last longer, can carry more weight (which you will inevitable want some day) and a slightly higher price usually means they are designed to be worn more comfortably.

Where?

• If you are looking for a really strong back back, go and have a look in an outdoor's activity store. However, a more plain model usually works out fine for daily use.
• If you have any leftover plastic bags, drop them off in a BagGlobe in a shop nearby. If your favourite shop hasn't got one, ask them!