This Trash Bag Can Be Reused Again & Again To Get Rid Of Single-Use Plastics
Image via TOMbag
Single-use plastic is unavoidable; it’s literally everywhere. But recent years have seen efforts in reducing unnecessary usage as much as possible, with the reusable straw and tote bag being among some of the trendiest things to have. Now, Australian duo Sasha and Johnathan Pestano have created another product aimed to reduce the use of plastic even further: reusable trash bags.
It might sound strange at first, but upon a closer glance it isn’t unhygienic as some may fear. A TOMbag is made from recycled plastic bottles to create a durable, washable material (rPET), which can easily be chucked into a washing machine.
The two carry handles on the side are also usually covered by the inner layer of the bag, and everything is waterproof. You won’t get thin plastic bags breaking, or random bits of who-knows-what on your hands when taking the trash out.
Image via TOMbag
Recycled plastic bags do exist and are in wide usage, but they don’t fully decompose, since they’re still made using plastic. Compostable plastic bags are another alternative, but they also don’t actually biodegrade unless in an industrial composting facility, which requires a ton of heat and pressure: not the most eco-friendly solution, either.
The idea for TOMbags came after the pair had their daughter, Fast Company reports, and ramped up their sustainable living efforts as they wanted to keep the planet alive for her. While many replacements for other plastics could be found, trash bags were the one pain point they struggled with.
They found that most counties in Australia don’t require trash to be disposed of inside of a plastic bag; it just needs to be contained within the curbside bins. Hence the idea developed for a reusable bag that garbage can be tipped out of, cleaned, then used again.
With normal use, the founders believe that the bags should last around two to three years. And when it reaches its end of life, users can send the bag back to the company, who will take it to recycling for a brand new life.
Image via TOMbag
Image via TOMbag
[via Fast Company, images via TOMbag]
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