Reuseable Tyvek bags that I carry around in the car. there's 6 in each car and another 6 or so for back-up. Plastic veggie bags are used for smelly garbage that's then frozen and tossed in the dumpster.
Grocery Bags
- Thread starter supersurgilator
- Start date
Help Support :
I've been using the cloth re-usable bags for a couple of years now. All of the grocery stores here now charge $0.05-0.10 per plastic bag. At first I didn't like it because I was always forgetting my bags but now I just keep them in the back seat of the car. One cloth bag holds almost as much as 2 plastic bags.
Gary
Gary
lordkenmore
Well-known member
I've been mostly using reusable bags the last few years. I think they are some sort of plastic material. Many stores (and all grocery stores around here) carry them, typically for about $1. While you can get a paper or one time intended use plastic bag for free, Fred Meyer (where I do most of my grocery shopping) has a five cent discount every time one brings a reusable bag in. (I sometimes have wondered what would happen if I came in, and bought 4 cents worth of something out of a bulk bin...although the way prices are, it's not likely I'll ever find out.) After 20 trips, a single bag is paid off.
supersurgilator
Well-known member
I agree, last fall we bought some of the store brand cloth bags (made from recycled water bottles). They hold probably around 3 plastic bags worth each. I was quite surprised how much you can put in them, and I actually enjoy using them. It is nice having fewer bags to carry around, and you don't have to worry about them tearing.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
I forgot to add how I'm impressed with much these reusable bags hold. It's very seldom that my single bag isn't enough to hold everything I buy. It helps that I do more frequent, smaller trips. Even so, before the bag, I always ended up with more than one plastic bag. Now, most of the time, it's one bag to carry in.
We still hear "Paper or plastic?" at responsible supermarket chains. Safeway is not among them. They never ask and start packing in plastic by default. If you stop them and request paper, Safeway makes you regret that decision by not putting handles on their paper bags. Other large chains like Whole Foods, TJ's and those under the Raley's umbrella along with the smaller local ones all provide paper bags with handles. I'm sure Safeway is throwing money at groups opposed to further bans on plastic bags as more and more municipalities begin to consider them.
miele_ge
Well-known member
I almost always take my "Danbury Garden Club" shoppi
I keep them in the trunk and they hold a lot more than the plastic ones and are actually easier to deal with bringing into the house.
I like to keep a small stash of plastic bags for other purposes (bringing lunch, wrapping up stinky garbage,etc) so when I am running low, I will leave the cloth bags in the car for smaller shopping.
It is amazing how much less bags I am consuming now.
Bringing your own cloth bags is really the only way to go.
I keep them in the trunk and they hold a lot more than the plastic ones and are actually easier to deal with bringing into the house.
I like to keep a small stash of plastic bags for other purposes (bringing lunch, wrapping up stinky garbage,etc) so when I am running low, I will leave the cloth bags in the car for smaller shopping.
It is amazing how much less bags I am consuming now.
Bringing your own cloth bags is really the only way to go.
bugsyjones
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2009
- Messages
- 581
Where offered, I prefer paper bags for groceries. Other places like the local discount store and the Nationally recogized big box store, I take the plastic bags.
I like paper bags simply for the nostalgia. I also think if packed right, the paper bags are more sturdy than the plastic. It's not uncommon for a plastic bag handle to rip right off.
The plastic gets reused. I only chuck them if they have holes. Plastic bags are handy for changing the waste bin on the ol' LitterMaid and for lining trash cans.
I quit recycling plastic when they mandated that I sort the plastic by type and that they only take plastics with a certain number on the bottom. I don't want to sort it out. That's their job. If I can't throw milk jugs with styrofoam in together with plastic bags, then what's the point? I'll just send it all to the landfill. I do recycle glass though because I don't have to sort it.
As long as paper bags are still an option, that's what I will always prefer.
~Tim
I like paper bags simply for the nostalgia. I also think if packed right, the paper bags are more sturdy than the plastic. It's not uncommon for a plastic bag handle to rip right off.
The plastic gets reused. I only chuck them if they have holes. Plastic bags are handy for changing the waste bin on the ol' LitterMaid and for lining trash cans.
I quit recycling plastic when they mandated that I sort the plastic by type and that they only take plastics with a certain number on the bottom. I don't want to sort it out. That's their job. If I can't throw milk jugs with styrofoam in together with plastic bags, then what's the point? I'll just send it all to the landfill. I do recycle glass though because I don't have to sort it.
As long as paper bags are still an option, that's what I will always prefer.
~Tim
spookiness
Well-known member
Fabric
I have several cloth bags from stores, and also from trade shows & such. They have been surprisingly durable. I keep a few at work, a few at home, and some in the car. We sort of have a community stash at the office that people also use from.
I was just talking to my neighbor about how freaking handy they are. I use them for everything. I used to get paper ones periodically to put recycled newspaper in, but don't need anymore. We have new bins for recycling, and everything can just get dumped in them. Also get newspaper delivered to my Kindle, so I only get the Sunday edition on paper.
If I forget bags, or need extras, I'll get plastic ones. My city accepts them with recycling. In most stores you get .05 off for bringing your own. Across the river in DC there is a .05 bag surcharge, ostensibly for river cleanup. A lot of people b*tched at first, but it seems everybody has adapted, and true you don't see bags stuck in fences and trees so much. By most measures it has been a success.
Oh, I do wash them periodically, and try to segregate their uses.
I have several cloth bags from stores, and also from trade shows & such. They have been surprisingly durable. I keep a few at work, a few at home, and some in the car. We sort of have a community stash at the office that people also use from.
I was just talking to my neighbor about how freaking handy they are. I use them for everything. I used to get paper ones periodically to put recycled newspaper in, but don't need anymore. We have new bins for recycling, and everything can just get dumped in them. Also get newspaper delivered to my Kindle, so I only get the Sunday edition on paper.
If I forget bags, or need extras, I'll get plastic ones. My city accepts them with recycling. In most stores you get .05 off for bringing your own. Across the river in DC there is a .05 bag surcharge, ostensibly for river cleanup. A lot of people b*tched at first, but it seems everybody has adapted, and true you don't see bags stuck in fences and trees so much. By most measures it has been a success.
Oh, I do wash them periodically, and try to segregate their uses.
I remember the "plastic vs. paper" debate here in the 80's.
Some people felt that plastic was better since it didn't result in cutting down trees.
Others felt paper was better because it didn't consume imported oil.
I figure, overall, the paper is more environmentally friendly because it's a renewable resource and the paper will biodegrade fairly quickly.
In town here, however, plastic is the norm (except at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods). I think the plastic is ok from a packaging standpoint, although I do prefer the size and stability of paper. If they start charging for bags I suppose I'll start bringing cloth bags to the store. Most of my shopping is at Costco, however, where they don't give you any bags and you kind of have to ask or scrounge for a used box.
Few if any stores today ask "paper or plastic?" although that used to be norm a decade or two ago.
Some people felt that plastic was better since it didn't result in cutting down trees.
Others felt paper was better because it didn't consume imported oil.
I figure, overall, the paper is more environmentally friendly because it's a renewable resource and the paper will biodegrade fairly quickly.
In town here, however, plastic is the norm (except at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods). I think the plastic is ok from a packaging standpoint, although I do prefer the size and stability of paper. If they start charging for bags I suppose I'll start bringing cloth bags to the store. Most of my shopping is at Costco, however, where they don't give you any bags and you kind of have to ask or scrounge for a used box.
Few if any stores today ask "paper or plastic?" although that used to be norm a decade or two ago.
They are not banned in Europe!
@dj-gabriele
I'm not sure what the situation is in Italy, but plastic bags are most definitely not generally banned in Europe.
However, in many countries, including Ireland, they are charged for. It costs 22¢ (aprox 30 US cent) here for a plastic bag.
In Ireland shoppers bring their own bags. They're usually heavy woven plastic or fabric bags. Most supermarkets sell them.
You can also get very compact fold-up bags that you can keep in your pocket if you decide to make an impromptu stop at a shop.
I usually don't bother to pack large items into bags at all. I just put them back into the trolley (shopping cart) and load them directly into the boot (trunk) of the car.
Paper bags in Ireland are almost totally useless as it rains a lot and if you did forget to bring bags, you couldn't realistically pack you groceries in paper as it would turn to mush quite a lot of the time!
Clothes stores are the only places that use paper bags here, and they're usually heavy grade 'fancy' bags.
@dj-gabriele
I'm not sure what the situation is in Italy, but plastic bags are most definitely not generally banned in Europe.
However, in many countries, including Ireland, they are charged for. It costs 22¢ (aprox 30 US cent) here for a plastic bag.
In Ireland shoppers bring their own bags. They're usually heavy woven plastic or fabric bags. Most supermarkets sell them.
You can also get very compact fold-up bags that you can keep in your pocket if you decide to make an impromptu stop at a shop.
I usually don't bother to pack large items into bags at all. I just put them back into the trolley (shopping cart) and load them directly into the boot (trunk) of the car.
Paper bags in Ireland are almost totally useless as it rains a lot and if you did forget to bring bags, you couldn't realistically pack you groceries in paper as it would turn to mush quite a lot of the time!
Clothes stores are the only places that use paper bags here, and they're usually heavy grade 'fancy' bags.
Plastic bag tax Ireland
Here's a bit more info on the plastic bag tax in Ireland, which was introduced in 2002.
It reduced plastic bag usage by 96% within a few weeks and using plastic bags became pretty much socially unacceptable in a very short while. If you ask for plastic bags, you'll usually get looked at like there's something seriously wrong with you and the old ladies in the queue (line) start tutting!
Some supermarkets simply do not provide them anymore at all, even if you are willing to pay 22cent per bag.
Also, the shops cannot absorb the 22c price, it has to be itemised on your receipt.
Also here:
Here's a bit more info on the plastic bag tax in Ireland, which was introduced in 2002.
It reduced plastic bag usage by 96% within a few weeks and using plastic bags became pretty much socially unacceptable in a very short while. If you ask for plastic bags, you'll usually get looked at like there's something seriously wrong with you and the old ladies in the queue (line) start tutting!
Some supermarkets simply do not provide them anymore at all, even if you are willing to pay 22cent per bag.
Also, the shops cannot absorb the 22c price, it has to be itemised on your receipt.
Also here:
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www.badlani.com
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inhabitat.com
Still have my groceries packed in plastic. Also like to have my bags packed at the check out and will often have them delivered - can't be bothered fluffing around with a trillion grocery bags. It's much easier when they bring it to my door.
They tried to ban plastic bags and charge for them as well, but people got shirty about it and rightfully so. They can be reused and statistically only about 15% end up in the environment. The remaining 85% are usually re-used, recycled or end up in landfill.
The reusable green bags aren't all that green either. They don't last all that long, have a significant environmental cost attached to their manufacture and have also been found to contain high levels of lead.
Aldi is the only place where customers have to provide their own bags and pack them at the register.
We don't shop like Europeans. For most of us to get to a supermarket takes a car trip. People fill up their trolleys and may even use two at a time. That often means that one never has enough reusable bags at hand. Like me, lots of shoppers opt to have their groceries home delivered as well.
In the good old days a lot of supermarkets packed groceries in brown paper bags and there used to be a section near the check out, where customers could pick up empty packing boxes to put their groceries in. In them days one would also see a lot of women shopping in their dressing gowns with curlers in their hair, fluffy slippers, cigarette in mouth and a gaggle of small kids running around in pajamas.
They tried to ban plastic bags and charge for them as well, but people got shirty about it and rightfully so. They can be reused and statistically only about 15% end up in the environment. The remaining 85% are usually re-used, recycled or end up in landfill.
The reusable green bags aren't all that green either. They don't last all that long, have a significant environmental cost attached to their manufacture and have also been found to contain high levels of lead.
Aldi is the only place where customers have to provide their own bags and pack them at the register.
We don't shop like Europeans. For most of us to get to a supermarket takes a car trip. People fill up their trolleys and may even use two at a time. That often means that one never has enough reusable bags at hand. Like me, lots of shoppers opt to have their groceries home delivered as well.
In the good old days a lot of supermarkets packed groceries in brown paper bags and there used to be a section near the check out, where customers could pick up empty packing boxes to put their groceries in. In them days one would also see a lot of women shopping in their dressing gowns with curlers in their hair, fluffy slippers, cigarette in mouth and a gaggle of small kids running around in pajamas.
I don't think paper bags are even available as an option up here. I haven't seen them in the stores for years and have never seen anyone carrying groceries in them.
Gary
Gary
dj-gabriele
Well-known member
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- Jun 24, 2007
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- 1,685
@MrX
Yeah, sorry for that, I didn't inform myself and just trusted what everybody was saying, but as you pointed out, after having looked around it is Italy only that decided on a universal ban of plastic bags for groceries!
I hope others will follow suit!
Sure this was a very good initiative as almost everybody now brings their own bags or otherwise get the non-platic ones that are more biodegradable (to the point that once liquid detergent spilled on my bag and it didn't make home... started melting!)
Yeah, sorry for that, I didn't inform myself and just trusted what everybody was saying, but as you pointed out, after having looked around it is Italy only that decided on a universal ban of plastic bags for groceries!
I hope others will follow suit!
Sure this was a very good initiative as almost everybody now brings their own bags or otherwise get the non-platic ones that are more biodegradable (to the point that once liquid detergent spilled on my bag and it didn't make home... started melting!)
amyswasher
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 25, 2009
- Messages
- 477
I'm sorry
I meant Ft. Stockton. The wind blows everything into everything that can snag a plastic bag. It was supposed to be enacted on April 1st, but they are dragging their feet on it. I reuse every plastic bag I bring home, so it wouldn't help me. I think when this is enforced, people are going to be using those plastic produce bags to put their meats and anything perishable in them to keep their canvas bags from getting dirty.
I meant Ft. Stockton. The wind blows everything into everything that can snag a plastic bag. It was supposed to be enacted on April 1st, but they are dragging their feet on it. I reuse every plastic bag I bring home, so it wouldn't help me. I think when this is enforced, people are going to be using those plastic produce bags to put their meats and anything perishable in them to keep their canvas bags from getting dirty.
dirtybuck
Well-known member
I usually stick with the plastic ones. I have a few paper bags that I've bought at Aldi's when I've lacked plastic bags to put my groceries in. Only one store (Dillon's) has given me the option of paper or plastic.
When I start to accumulate too many, I take some to the lower floor where I live and pawn them off on some of the other residents in the building. However, I ALWAYS check for possible bugs (not a one yet) and holes and toss those immediately.
An earlier poster has the right idea of storing some in his gym bag for wet items. I do the same. If I'm limited in space, I'll put my gym shoes in a plastic bag and carry them that way.
One other thing about the plastic type...has anyone noticed the bags from Target are a bit stronger and sturdier than the ones found in Walmart or grocery stores?
When I start to accumulate too many, I take some to the lower floor where I live and pawn them off on some of the other residents in the building. However, I ALWAYS check for possible bugs (not a one yet) and holes and toss those immediately.
An earlier poster has the right idea of storing some in his gym bag for wet items. I do the same. If I'm limited in space, I'll put my gym shoes in a plastic bag and carry them that way.
One other thing about the plastic type...has anyone noticed the bags from Target are a bit stronger and sturdier than the ones found in Walmart or grocery stores?
spookiness
Well-known member
Target bags...
"One other thing about the plastic type...has anyone noticed the bags from Target are a bit stronger and sturdier than the ones found in Walmart or grocery stores?"
Yes! Also slightly bigger. These, and others such as JCP, and other larger-than-grocery bags will stretch and fit over my kitchen can, and they get reused as garbage bags. I have not bought kitchen trash bags since sometime in early 2010.
Even the small grocery ones, I'll try to used them for kitchen waste. Makes no sense to buy bags when so many are floating around free.
"One other thing about the plastic type...has anyone noticed the bags from Target are a bit stronger and sturdier than the ones found in Walmart or grocery stores?"
Yes! Also slightly bigger. These, and others such as JCP, and other larger-than-grocery bags will stretch and fit over my kitchen can, and they get reused as garbage bags. I have not bought kitchen trash bags since sometime in early 2010.
Even the small grocery ones, I'll try to used them for kitchen waste. Makes no sense to buy bags when so many are floating around free.
We've been trying to eliminate plastic shopping bags as much as possible and have been fairly successful. "Light green" LOL! That's us too. We have the choice between plastic and paper at our favorite store so always opt for paper (reused for recycling weekly) if we've forgotten the cloth-reusable bags in the car.
I just recently found a bag of lightweight material that folds into a small pouch (like djgabriele describes) that will be good for shopping, estate sales, etc. -- if I can remember to bring it in. It's a habit that might be rather hard to establish but well worth the effort in the long run. I'm seeing more and more of these reusable bags in hardware stores, department stores and the like all the time.
I just recently found a bag of lightweight material that folds into a small pouch (like djgabriele describes) that will be good for shopping, estate sales, etc. -- if I can remember to bring it in. It's a habit that might be rather hard to establish but well worth the effort in the long run. I'm seeing more and more of these reusable bags in hardware stores, department stores and the like all the time.
I've been using cloth bags now for the last several years. Certainly trying to do my part, but the major motivation was having a excess of plastic bags around. Drove me nuts. Plus, I don't mind getting 5 cents off my total bill for each reusable bag in both HyVee and Target.
Ben
Ben
