These are the four items I take with me every day.  I haven’t always done this, but now that I have gotten into the habit of packing reusable goods I’m realizing how much money and more importantly resources I’m conserving.  I used to think carrying these things with me was too much of a hassle or took up too much space, but the two bags I recommend take up next to no space and weigh very little, while the mug and water bottle can both fit in a medium sized purse.  This post may be a little more on the basic side, so all you who consider yourself dark green already will probably have loads more to teach me on this front (and I welcome all comments).  But I know a lot of people who don’t use all of these items, including myself a few months ago.

1) The reusable “plastic” bag

Details: We’ve all heard how important it is to bring your own bags when grocery shopping etc.  I’m advocating bringing your own bag everywhere.  A few brands, including Chico Bags, have made reusable bags which fold up into a tiny stuff sack and weigh next to nothing…this means you have no excuse not to pack it on your person at all times.  On top of that, many companies, like Stonyfield Farm, hand these out for free at events. If you want to buy one at a store, you’ll have to shell out no more than $5.

Planet Savings: 500 bags/year. An average American uses 300-700 plastic bags a year (according to ChicoBags).  Let’s say 500 bags on average. 97% of these bags do not get recycled and end up in landfills or littering the landscape.  Carrying 1 or 2 reusable bags at all times will therefore save 500 plastic bags from the landfill!

Financial Savings: $15/year. Many retailers will give you a 10 cent credit for bringing your own bag.  Assuming only 150 of the 500 times you use a bag each year gives a credit, you’ll be saving $15 over the course of a year!

2) The reusable “brown paper” bag

Details: This is the newest addition to my fleet of reusable staples.  I got mine for free at the Food Inc film preview.  And I’ve seen them for sale for ~$2.  It’s perfect for pastries, fruit and veggie purchases and other small edibles and other delicate small objects.  It basically replaces the brown paper bag.  And as Barron noted, paper bags may not be any better than plastic bags, so best to conserve.

Planet Savings: 180 bags/year. I eat out a lot, so I may be unusual.  But I use my replacement brown paper bag about twice a day.  Let’s say the average American uses one every other day.  Going reusable will save 180 brown paper bags per year per person.

Financial Savings: Maybe none currently, as I’ve yet to get a credit for bringing my own small bag, but hopefully incentives will be put in place for this sort of bring your own bag as well.

3) Travel coffee mug

Details: A travel mug goes for $10-$20 depending on the brand. I’ve been happy with my OXO GoodGrips Liquiseal Travel Mug, but I know there are many great ones out there.  I carry it with me everywhere for all my hot and cold daily beverage needs.

Planet Savings: 300 cups/year.  Americans love coffee.  Among coffee drinkers, average consumption is 3.1 cups per day.  Overall, average daily consumption ranges from 1.4 cups for women to 1.9 cups for men.   This equates to about 500 to 700 cups of coffee per year.  Let’s assume that half of these cups are imbibed at home with reusable kitchen mugs.  So without a travel coffee mug, the average American will use ~300 paper or styrofoam coffee cups per year.  Ouch.

Financial savings: $30/year. Many coffee shops offer a discount for bringing your own mug.  And this is something that will increase over time.  For now, since not all shops do this, let’s assume a 10 cent savings for each time you bring a mug.  That brings you to $30 in savings after a year.  Meaning your mug will pay for itseld after 4 to 8 months!

4) Reusable water bottle

Details: I am partial to my Sigg (which start at ~$22 and come in many shapes and patterns) while others swear by their Kleen Kanteen.  Regardless, carrying your own water bottle not only ensures you stay hydrated, and protect the environment, it also keeps toxic plastics out of your body.

Planet Savings: 100 bottles+/year. Americans drink an average of 99 liters of bottled water per year.  Green Options notes in a piece about why not to drink bottled water that:

Bottled water produces up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year. According to Food and Water Watch, that plastic requires up to 47 million gallons of oil per year to produce. And while the plastic used to bottle beverages is of high quality and in demand by recyclers, over 80 percent of plastic bottles are simply thrown away.

Financial Savings: $100+/year. Americans spent $15 billion on bottled water.  Bottled water is often from the tap (which should be near free) and costs more than gasoline, according to Green Options.   So depending on how often you buy bottled water, switching to a water bottle and drinking from your too-often-taken-for-granted tap could save you a bundle.  If you’re buying bottled water at $1 per bottle, twice a week, you could stand to save $100 a year!

So to sum it all up, investing ~$40 in these four reusable items can save you $150+ per year (and much more if you depend on bottled water).  You will also be saving 500 plastic bags, 180 paper bags, 300 coffee cups and 100 plastic bottles from the landfill or other receptacle.

For more about reusable products, see this blog.

To buy these products and more online check out GreenHome.

If you are a business and looking to buy sustianable swag, check out ecoimprints

[Note:  I am sure some of my assumptions aren't as accurate as they could be, but I think you get the picture.]

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