I suppose all who know me shouldn't be surprised that my first "real" post is about "being green" and what I am (and am not) doing to help.
PLASTIC BAGS
I have several plastic bag holders hanging in my laundry room filled with plastic bags. I use them mostly for bathroom trash bags, but I have used them to crochet a bag for my sister. The crocheted plastic bag was the point at which I was so annoyed with how many I had and was running out of room for them. I don't know if it's my mom's influence or what, but I never throw away my plastic bags...unless they're holding trash. It was my annoyance as well as the incentive of a bag discount on my groceries that led me to purchase my first reusable grocery bags. *By the way, I'll probably never crochet another bag from plastic bags again. It's so time-consuming!*
So I bought two canvas bags several years ago to use for my groceries in place of paper and plastic bags. I used them all the time. Unfortunately, when I moved to western North Carolina, I didn't pack them, never bought anymore, and therefore started using plastic bags again. One year later, after my house in New Mexico sold and I received my things that I had left behind, I was reunited with my blessed canvas bags. About that time I noticed that the grocery store I frequented as well as the Wal-Mart in Sylva *gasp* began selling "green bags". I bought several of those since they were so inexpensive ($1.00). I also crocheted myself a "market bag" to use for produce items instead of the plastic bags the grocery stores provide for you. I have quite an arsenal of reusable bags...and I use them. Also, if I'm getting just a few things and didn't bring my bags with me, I will request my things not be bagged.
I realized recently, while packing for a road trip to Wisconsin, that these bags shouldn't be thought of as strictly grocery bags. I packed my pack with my things but still had to figure out where the odds and ends such as board games, food, camping stuff, etc. would go. "Grocery" bags to the rescue! It was great! Everything was easily accessible, easy to carry, and I had no worries about the bags breaking.
RESPONSES
I won't lie, I get weird looks all the time. Especially since I live in a small town. I used to feel embarrassed to ask my things not be bagged or even that they use my reusables (I always felt I was making them go out of their way). So I asked a clerk one day, "Is it more trouble to use my bags?" And to my surprise she stated not at all, that it's actually easier. The only thing that I have yet to figure out a solution to is that no matter how many bags I bring, they stuff the bags to the breaking point. I'll bring 4 bags and 2 get stuffed. It's annoying, but I've realized that one, the clerks aren't used to my bags like they are the plastic ones and two, they generally don't look to see how much stuff I have and how many bags I brought. I think they're worried I haven't brought enough bags. I also had a clerk one time think that I was buying my market bag from their store. I thought, "Man I'm good!" :o)
REASONS WHY ONE MIGHT STILL USE PLASTIC
I honestly can't think of any valid reason why someone would not make the transition to reusable bags. The most common thing I hear is that people tend to forget them. So plan. Set them aside before you go grocery shopping. Trust me, after a while, you'll feel naked without them. I still put my bags in several places "just in case". Some reside in my boyfriend's car in case we make an impromptu stop somewhere, some stay in my car, but most of them stay in my house. I also won't lie and say that I'm perfect. An example of this resides below:
THE INFLUENCE ONE CAN HAVE ON OTHERS
I have to give props to my boyfriend...I won't say I have successfully trained him ;o) but rather, I've rubbed off on him. We were at Barnes and Noble with a friend the other day and all three of us bought books but checked out at different times. My boyfriend checked out before me and when I met up with him at the door, he was carrying his book while I had mine in a bag (I had forgotten to tell the lady I didn't need a bag). I was SO proud! Yet so ashamed... :o)
CONCLUSION
So needless to say, my plastic bag supply has been dwindling...much to my relief. I had planned to continue this post by discussing recycling, composting, etc. but I didn't realize this plastic bag discussion would be so long. So I'll save those for another day. If you're curious about plastic bags and such, google it, there's plenty of information out there. You can also check out this webpage: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/07/paper-bags-or-plastic-bags-everything-you-need-to-know.php
Good for you! I have started not asking for bags when I don't have very many items (i.e. Half Price Books and gas stations). Baby steps... :)
ReplyDeleteAs I told you the bag-made-of-plastic-bags is perfect for pool acoutrements, and then the wet swimsuits afterward. I tried to crochet one and gave up. It was hard! However, I do have a bag full of paper bags in my car for shopping trips. We haven't quite made it to canvas yet...BTW, I just (for class) reviewed A Necessary Revolution,(Peter Senge) which you might like. It talks about how business can not continue to make incremental changes, but rather must make a complete revolution in business practices. The business side of it may be a slog for you, but I found it quite compelling.
ReplyDeleteOh, and did you know Seattle just passed a "bag tax?"
I'm not sure whether I knew that or not. I knew some cities were moving towards that...some countries have even banned them altogether. I wish Sylva could be as eco-forward as Seattle. :o) And I'd definitely be up for taking a look at A Necessary Revolution.
ReplyDeleteAfter multiple attempts, and even trying some Blogger tips and tricks I found, I was unable to copy and paste my book review into a blog post. Since my tolerance for these types of challenges is rather low, I'll just email it to you instead.
ReplyDeleteYay for canvas bags. Boulder is so good about that stuff that people were using them here back in '99 when I worked at Whole Foods but I didn't get around to it till the past few years. I love them though. They fit more and I think they are easier to carry too. My only problem is sometimes I leave them in the car and forget till I check out. I used to just get the plastic at that point but now I try to not be so lazy and go back to my car and get them.
ReplyDeleteI also bought one at Borders a while ago that folds down really small so you can even keep it in your purse.
And I've heard rumors that a few places out here will no longer have plastic/paper bags available (we'll see if that really happens). I know in other countries, sometimes they charge you for the bag- I think that would be more reasonable and still encourage ppl to switch to canvas.
I too cannot throw away a plastic bag... and it is Mom's fault.
ReplyDeleteOk, so I took a look at that Paper vs. Plastic article and it made me angry. (This makes Angry #4 for me today, so it's not that hard to do.) How do you write an article titled paper vs plastic then conclude that reuseable is better?!? Based on the title that wasn't an option! The author added a new variable in the last freakin paragraph! So basically the point of the article was not to determine superiority between paper or plastic but to further the author's position on reuseable bags. Of course, if the title was "Paper vs Plastic vs Reusable", no one would read it because we'd all say, "Duh, reusable" and go watch somebody get hit in the crotch on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteI blame you, Nicole, for making me read this article and stay up an extra 5 mins to get my daily quota of skaters on handrails.
First, I didn't MAKE you read the article. Second, I noticed that too, but the way I saw it, being the oh-so-positive person that I am, was that it was a fun twist at the end. lol Kinda like the movies Identity and Frailty. :o)
ReplyDeleteTruth has nothing to do with blame. ...and I haven't seen Frailty so thanks for messing that up.
ReplyDelete