It’s a plastic world out there and we’re just living in it.

Approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide each year. More than one million plastic bags are used every minute.

THIS. IS. NUTS.

Here’s why we need to stop using plastic bags once and for all.

1. They’re transient yet permanent.

Most plastic bags are just used once, maybe twice if you line your trash cans with them. Yet it takes 500-1,000 years for plastic to degrade.

2. We do share this world with other species, you know.

In the ocean, there are 46,000 pieces of plastic per square mile. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is located in the North Pacific Gyre off the coast of California and is the largest ocean garbage site in the world — twice the size of Texas! — with pieces of plastic outnumbering sea life 6 to 1.

Generally, more than 260 species of marine animals are affected by plastic debris in the ocean, either by ingestion or entanglement. Laysan Albatross, sea turtles, monk seals, whales and many species of fish have been found with large amounts of plastic in their stomachs.

3. Their production is wasteful and contributing to climate change.

In the US alone, approximately 12 million barrels of oil is used to make the plastic bags that Americans consume annually. Plastic production worldwide uses around 8% of the world’s oil production. Plus, the manufacturing process, transportation and disposal require large quantities of non-renewable resources and release equally large amounts of global-warming gases.

4. They make our world ugly.

Even when properly disposed of, plastic bags are easily windblown and find their way into the landscape or waterways.

Is it just me, or do you also want to live in a beautiful world? I don’t like the look of this. Nope, not one bit.

5. They are a public health threat.

These plastic bags don’t just make our world uglier, they make it unhealthier too. As the bags deteriorate, their chemical components begin to break down, degrading soil and water quality. And if incinerated, these chemicals are similarly released into the atmosphere.

Want to say “NO thank you!” to plastic bags?

Heck yes!

I use and recommend these Baggu reusable bags since they come in a ton of cute patterns and colors and last forever (I’ve had mine for 7 years!). They also come with a little pouch for storage so can easily be tossed in your purse.

And check out these reusable produce bags!! I love them and get compliments on them all the time. Cause they’re awesome and prevent unicorns from crying.