Have you ever noticed just how many plastic bags seem to make their way into your home? It's really ridiculous when the baggers use a new plastic bag for pretty much every item in your cart. Sure you can recycle them outside the grocery store, but wouldn't it be better to try to STOP using those bags?
It seems that others think as I (and maybe you) do. Last year, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban the use of plastic bags in grocery stores and chain stores. Other cities and towns are not far behind. Some merchants like IKEA are taking the bull by the horns and charging customers for any bags they use. I personally feel that all this is a great idea. IMHO Americans en masse are unlikely to abandon the convenience of plastic bags without coercion.
A few months ago, I pledged to stop bagging in plastic or paper at the grocery store and to use alternate bags. I bought a few paper bag style reusable bags and a zip top cooler at Trader Joe's. It wasn't too expensive - maybe $10 in all. So far, I've done pretty well. I generally remember the bags since I try to keep them in the car at all times. I've even started looking for a small, collapsible bag to keep in my purse for trips to CVS and other retailers.
I do enjoy feeling responsible for less plastic in the landfills, but I'm also enjoying less bag clutter at home. Granted, Greg doesn't really like using the clear newspaper bags and bread bags for Clover's poop pickup, but that's a small (and funny) price to pay for doing our part.
Interesting articles/places to check out-
An Inconvenient Bag
Greenest Reusable Bags
Green Bag Lady (check out the video section on how to make a bag and a little about the bags)
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2 comments:
You are the ultimate green momma!
I love my freezer bag you bought me for my bd. I use my canvas bags that conferences hand out for baggin my groceries!
I bought the bags at Trader Joe's, too. I can't remember to bring them into the store though...EVER! Help!!!
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