Although environmentalism has been around for over a century, there is no doubt that the green movement has truly taken off in the past 10 years.  There is a collective push for greener automobiles, greener homes, and greener products. One recent issue in the forefront is the toll that plastic shopping bags take on the environment. Hence, the latest must-have for environmentally conscious consumers : eco-friendly shopping bags.

It’s no secret that disposable plastic shopping bags are destructive to the environment. Besides the fact that they don’t biodegrade, they use massive amounts of fossil fuel to produce and are dangerous to various animals and wildlife - especially marine animals - who ingest the bags when they are mistaken for food. Because the bags are easily blown by wind, many end up as litter, and those that don’t take up valuable space in our landfills.

Laws banning the use of plastic shopping bags have been enacted all over the world, including the United States. San Francisco was the first city to ban the use of these bags in March of 2007, and many cities are attempting to pass legislation banning them as we speak.

Eco-friendly shopping bags have been gaining popularity in droves, and for good reasons. They are inexpensive, reusable, and most are machine washable. They come in a variety of materials including organic cotton, canvas, and different types of recycled plastic. And all are unquestionably better for the environment than standard plastic shopping bags.

Businesses are catching on as well. Many corporations and organizations are finding that eco-friendly shopping bags are a perfect way to show they are on the “green-team” while promoting their company. Eco-friendly bags are quickly surpassing the popularity of pens and mugs as promotional give-aways.

There is good news for the style conscious green consumer as well : you no longer have to settle for plain, drab designs on your eco-friendly bags. There are so many different styles of green  shopping bags available that by using them you are not just making a statement about your dedication to protecting the environment, you’re making a fashion statement as well.