I started bringing my lunch to work with me about a year ago and I decided to get rid of ziploc bags too.
I usually would need 3 sandwich-sized bags every day as well as a bag to tote it in.
When I sat down and did the math, it really opened up a big picture:
52 wks * 5 days/wk = 260 Bag lunches
3 bags/lunch * 260 lunches = 780 bags/yr
780 bags/yr * 1.7g per bag = 1326g
approximately 3 lbs of plastic trash a year just from my lunches (JUST based on sandwich bags)
Then we bring the monetary side into it:
500 ct. Ziploc sandwich bags from Costco = $10
3 Reusable cloth sandwich bags from reusies.com = $15
@$0.02/ea per bag it will take about a year to break even.
From there, it's about $15/yr you're saving.
Not only that, BUT you're saving 3lbs/yr from being chucked into a landfill.
What about the lunch bag? Well, assuming that you're using a brown paper bag every day:
500 ct. Brown #4 Paper bags from Costco = $6.75
Reusable bag from UrbanOutfitters or Lululemon = $0 (just ask them for one.)
This has a much smaller return at about $3.35/year, BUT you're helping keep trash out of landfills.
I can't find any exact numbers, but we'll say @2g/ea = 1.15lbs/yr of paper trash.
I have been using my bags for over a year now and I expect them to last at least 5 years - $69 savings.
25 lbs of plastic NOT in the landfill.
Now, that is cool, but here is where we REALLY start seeing savings...
Paper towels. STOP USING THEM.
The number can vary a BUNCH, so for simplicity's sake we'll say, on average, we go through 1 roll/wk
A 6pk of paper towels at Costco.com = $9.29
@1/wk = $81/year
Now that number is easily doubled or tripled for a household with 3-5 people in it.
a 36 pack of microfiber cloths on Amazon = $22
[EDIT: full disclosure - I have a friend that lets me use their prime account for free shipping]
I bought these and use them for EVERYTHING. I clean them in the sink and I expect them to easily last 5 years:
Total Savings: $383
Also about 2.5 pounds of paper waste saved per year.
It may seem like a big change, but it's actually a cinch once you get started.
Microfiber cloths are also WAY more absorbent than even the best paper towels - messes are 10000% easier to clean with them.
These numbers are based on ONE person's usage habits.
With just those two steps, in 5 years, we have saved $459.75
And we have kept 25 lbs of plastic & 18.25 lbs of paper (at LEAST) out of landfills.
Let's not even get into the petroleum costs involved in production saved.
Imagine how much a family of four would save....
This was one of the easiest changes I made toward frugalizing my daily routine.
Of course, I simply based it off of numbers I got on Costco.com -- I'm sure with some extra effort, one could find cheaper items to change the numbers a little bit, but it's really about thinking about your environmental impact as well as saving.
Any other tips, comments or corrections are appreciated - The math was all quick & dirty.