I have a set of three reusable bags for fruit and vegetables, in polyester netting or something like that. I keep them in my purse so that I always have them when I need them.

Except when I leave my purse at home because I have my backpack for some reason… and then I have to use something else for the apples I buy. Single-use plastic bags are still available but on their way out, and most shops offer paper bags instead.

More eco-friendly than plastic, yes. But this bag – that I used to bring home six apples – really reminded me how awesome plastic can be, and why it has conquered the world so easily and overwhelmingly. The paper bag was thick and clumsy in comparison to the filmy plastic bags. It felt like the bag with apples took up almost twice as much space as the apples on their own, because it was so stiff. The rolled-up top on its own is like two apples.

I noticed the same on my hike. Nothing beats sealable plastic baggies when it comes to packing food for a hike. Nothing beats ordinary plastic bags for containing any waste and garbage in my pack. I know people got by just fine before plastic became available, but giving them up now would be so very hard.