Reuseable grocery bags?

[geojen]

Originally Posted by noppenbd

Funny story: Recently on a trip to the grocery store, I went through the self-checkout. There was a bagger who was working the self-checkout, and I handed her my reusable bags, saying "Here, I have these." I went back to the self-checkout, finished, and paid. I turned around to pick up my bags and found... plastic bags! She obviously had no idea what to do with my bags, so she put them into a plastic grocery bag, along with all my groceries. No matter how much good you do in this world, there are always stupid people out there who can cancel you out! I would have given her the benefit of the doubt, but c'mon, she's a bagger!!!

I know. This has happened to me. Also, I love it when they do take the bags and put the same amount of groceries in it that a regular bag can hold! You gotta pack those puppies, otherwise they are useless.

[CouponAddict]

Originally Posted by Caoineag

I have more plastic bags than I can use up and we use them to clean up after the dog. Also, every store that sells them discounts your groceries for 10 cents per bag. It doesn't take long to recoup the cost and save more in the future. As to taking food to work, that is why I have a backpack. Also environmentally, plastic bags are a nightmare.

Keep in mind as well that most places are moving to ban or eliminate plastic bags. So pretty soon people will have to switch anyways.

In order to get the discount, do you have to use that stores bags? If you want the 10 cent discount do you have to ask?

I have totes (from when I was pregnant-seems like every time I went to the OB or the Lamaze class the hospital was giving me one to take educational items home in), I just had no use for them before now and yes they have the hospital logo on them. I have yet to use a cloth bag but I do use the plastic grocery bags in my bathrooms or return them to the store so they can recycle them.

How do you get over the wierd feeling of bringing the bags into the store with you. What if you go in bringing in 7 bags with you and dont find what you want, do you stop at the enterance to show the greeter you have not stolen anything (small items in the bottom of the bag)?

[Caoineag]

Originally Posted by CouponAddict

In order to get the discount, do you have to use that stores bags? If you want the 10 cent discount do you have to ask?

I have totes (from when I was pregnant-seems like every time I went to the OB or the Lamaze class the hospital was giving me one to take educational items home in), I just had no use for them before now and yes they have the hospital logo on them. I have yet to use a cloth bag but I do use the plastic grocery bags in my bathrooms or return them to the store so they can recycle them.

How do you get over the wierd feeling of bringing the bags into the store with you. What if you go in bringing in 7 bags with you and dont find what you want, do you stop at the enterance to show the greeter you have not stolen anything (small items in the bottom of the bag)?

Oh heck no, you can use any bag. Sometimes you have to ask simply because new cashiers don't realize it but I found out Safeway was doing it when we were packing up my backpack and other bags and the cashier saw us and added the discount.

As to the weird sensation, the only way to get over it is to use the bags. As cashiers grow more comfortable with the idea and realize people use them, they start asking for your bags to pack them for you (this they are still learning to do). As other people see you use them, they stop feeling weird about it and use them as well. Pretty soon it just becomes the norm (currently my area is transitioning like this, its becoming more and more common so more and more people are doing it).

As to the greeters, I run around with a backpack all the time. So if anyone was going to provoke them into checking, it would be me. No one has ever asked to check my bag. I did have a cashier once ask me if I was buying my backpack but that was also at the store I had bought it. I showed her my backpack a little more closely and told her I had bought it a while back. No issues.

[noppenbd]

Originally Posted by CouponAddict

How do you get over the wierd feeling of bringing the bags into the store with you. What if you go in bringing in 7 bags with you and dont find what you want, do you stop at the enterance to show the greeter you have not stolen anything (small items in the bottom of the bag)?

This is why I like the bags that are really compressible. The ones I have stuff into themselves, so they are really small when not in use. Then there is less chance for mistakes. In reality, I rarely do this because I have never had a problem with a clerk stopping me.

[tabbycat31]

I have 6 from Wegman's. IN the fall, they were 99 cents then free with a Shopper Club card. However I traded one of my 6 for a Trader Joe's one with my mom.

I keep them in the back of the car.

[getforfree]

None of my grocery stores give discounts for bags. I shop a lot at Foodmax, foodsource, and winco. I asked if they give discount for bringing your own bags, they said no, so why do extra work for free which actually costing you extra $$.

[noppenbd]

For me, it is the principle of it. The sight of fluttering plastic bags stuck in a tree outside my house just bothers me a lot, maybe more than it should. But it strikes me as indicative of the attitude that has got us (humans) into the situation we are in. We are a throwaway, somebody-else's-problem, want-it-now society. I know that my choice not to use plastic bags in and of itself will probably have no effect on the world. However, since I am only one person, that is all I can hope to do.

A one-time $5 purchase of a few reusable bags is not going to make any difference in your wallet. Not every decision has to be made purely on the basis of cost. Sometimes you have to use your wallet to make statements based on principle.

[cptacek]

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

There are two large grocery stores just two and three blocks away from me. Almost every day I have to pick up those plastic grocery bags that have blown into my front yard. I'm waiting for everybody to decide to carry permanent bags.

Aren't you afraid that you'll have to pick up canvas bags from your yard?

[LuxLiving]

I just read something about Ireland taxing you 33cents for every plastic bag you use??

[jodi]

I have two bags from Wegmans ($.99 each) asnd I just picked up a new one from Target - the kind that folds into itself. I absolutely love them because you can fit so much more into one bag. Where I used to carry 5 or 6 plastic bags, my two Wegman's bags will do the trick. I was keeping them in my car, but sometimes I take DH's car shopping and would find myself without them. Now I keep them in the mudroom to grab on my way out, but I still forget them at times. I'm hoping that with the small foldable Target bag I won't forget as much. I might just keep that one in my car for unexpected stops.

[aevans1206]

I use 'em. I keep them in the car, but many times forget them when going into the store.

The one concern I have is when I get fruits and veggies. I usually put all of the apples into those little plastic bags, green beans, kiwi, etc. etc. How do I deal with that? Those small bags make it easier for them to weigh the produce I'm buying and I buy a LOT of produce. So using reuseable bags negates the point when I buy produce. What to do?

[FrugalTexan75]

I bought a reusable bag from Walgreen's, and so far have used it once at Whole Food's - got a $.5 discount. I'll be going grocery shopping tomorrow at Walmart and will bring it, plus another tote bag - I'm curious if Walmart will give a discount. If they do, then I'd like to find some of those self-contained bags mentioned by previous posters.

[kilcher]

Originally Posted by getforfree

None of my grocery stores give discounts for bags. I shop a lot at Foodmax, foodsource, and winco. I asked if they give discount for bringing your own bags, they said no, so why do extra work for free which actually costing you extra $$.

In my opinion it's less work. Not only do I get the discount but I can fit more items in less bags. The bags are also easier to carry and don't dig into your hand like a plastic bag with heavy items would.

How exactly is it more work? You have to walk from your house to the car, from the car to the store, and back anyway. Is it really that much more work to carry a light canvas bag with you?

[GrimJack]

Here in Seattle they are going to start charging 20 cents per bag (plastic or paper) for those grovery bags - this is a city fee, to be passed by city council; this will make it worth while to drag those cotton bags around and keep the grocery bags out of the environment.

[tabbycat31]

I think local ordinaces (I think San Francisco also did this but correct me if I'm wrong) will end use of el cheapo plastic bags.

What I hate is when I bring my cloth bags, many cashiers pack the food in plastic bags then put them in the cloth ones. I think that defeats the purpose idiots.

[getforfree]

Originally Posted by kilcher

In my opinion it's less work. Not only do I get the discount but I can fit more items in less bags. The bags are also easier to carry and don't dig into your hand like a plastic bag with heavy items would.

How exactly is it more work? You have to walk from your house to the car, from the car to the store, and back anyway. Is it really that much more work to carry a light canvas bag with you?

more work and expences is that:

*you will need to wash/launder those bags once a while.
*you need space to store them and make sure you don't forget it when you go to the store
*I would have to buy a bigger purse if I want to put 2-3 bags in it, because I have my wallet, keys, coupons and some other stuff in it.
* I use my grocery bags as a trush liner, so I don't have to buy any.

[benosayi]

My daughter is very green. She tells me all these things about trash being around a hundred years. I walked in the house with a styrofoam cup and she started talking about how long my cup would be in a landfill. I always bring my canvass bags. Trader's joes has very nice bags.

[76Chick]

does it help we reuse the bags (at least once for my lunches)?
i know- prolly not. <<hangs head in shame>>

i could have sworn I just saw small canvas tote bags @ Oriental Trading for really cheap... I will have to go back and look...

if nothing else, a good reminder! =)

[geojen]

Originally Posted by noppenbd

For me, it is the principle of it. The sight of fluttering plastic bags stuck in a tree outside my house just bothers me a lot, maybe more than it should. But it strikes me as indicative of the attitude that has got us (humans) into the situation we are in. We are a throwaway, somebody-else's-problem, want-it-now society. I know that my choice not to use plastic bags in and of itself will probably have no effect on the world. However, since I am only one person, that is all I can hope to do.

A one-time $5 purchase of a few reusable bags is not going to make any difference in your wallet. Not every decision has to be made purely on the basis of cost. Sometimes you have to use your wallet to make statements based on principle.

I completely agree with you. Sometimes, even if something costs a little more out of pocket, you should do it because its just the right thing to do. This whole "this slightly inconveniences me and has no immediate payoff so I'm not gonna do it" is so...infuriating. It shows the selfishness that has come to permeate our society.

[pjmama]

I have a couple trader joes canvass bags, and I love them. They're so much sturdier than plastic, and easier to carry than paper ones. Besides, I shop at ALDI, and I dont have to buy bags if I bring my own!