Saturday, May 31, 2008

Reusable Bag Etiquette


I'm so not green. I don't even recycle and I still ask for plastic grocery bags......*gasp*......oh the horror! I do, I do, it's true. But if it's any consolation I feel like a heathen every time I go grocery shopping or throw away an empty milk container.

So I've been thinking about taking baby steps to change my ways. Thinking about evolving into a more eco-minded, eco-conscious or eco- friendly family.

So, this morning I found out about Chile's Quit Now challenge through Kristin H's blog. You can visit her for the details. But the challenge starts June 1st. I'm already ahead of schedule with the smoking as I'm now on day #5 of "breathing free"..... *patting my self on the back*......

But I'm also going to try to give up plastic grocery bags. I gotta tell you that this may be even more difficult than giving up the smokes. I love plastic grocery bags. They're easy to carry......I use them for garbage under my kitchen sink.....I even have a cute little doll plastic bag holder that I sewed my self....hanging in my laundry room. This will be tough.....REALLY tough!

OK....I have a question for all you eco conscious people out there. In light of my recent "I'm not green" enlightenment....I went out a couple weeks ago and purchased, from Walmart, their reusable bags. I bought these with the best of intentions. I unloaded the groceries from my van and then put the 5 reusable bags back in my van. I figured if I kept them in my van I'd then have them when I next go shopping.

The next time I went to Walmart.....I forgot the bags in the van and ended up getting plastic bags again. UGH! Then, later in the week, I went to Target and thought maybe I'd use my reusable bags but then realized that they actually say "Walmart" on them.

So....my question is....is it OK to use Walmart's reusable bags in Target or Meijers or do I have to purchase reusable bags at every damn different store I visit? I went to Costco this past week and purchased three of their reusable bags also (they're HUGE)....but they ALSO say Costco all over them.
I realize how ridiculous it is that I'm actually asking a "reusable bag etiquette" question here....but....there you have it....I'm ridiculous!

13 comments:

Tracey said...

I am not green either, but I try any simple way I can. I got green reusable bags off the Internet at

www.bagsontherun.com for about $1.25 each and I keep them in my car and use them everywhere.

We recycle paper and aluminum, but the city helps with that....

Good Luck!!

Bahama Shores Mama said...

I'm using my Publix bags at whatever store I go to!!!! I'm trying to rock the green and thrifty look at the same time! LOL!

Kate said...

I live in a very "green" town and I see people using bags from one store at another all the time. So I think you're fine.

Good for you making small changes! That's how it starts and if everyone did that, what a huge difference it would make. I'm not freaky green but am much more aware of what I'm doing these days.

And yay for you on not smoking for 5 days! That's awesome!

Marni's Organized Mess said...

I see it all the time. I don't think it's any way wrong.

I can't give up plastic bags, but you know, you can give them back and put them in the things outside grocery stores? We do other things... but that's one I can't give up yet. I'm not eco friendly either. Oh well. One day...

Anonymous said...

I use my reusable bags everywhere no matter what is on them.

Good for you, girl! Small changes add up quick and make a big impact (at least this is what I tell myself!)

Heather J. said...

I bought 15 reusable bags, they're even green bags.....I forget them in the car, EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I do recycle.

I will NEVER give up bleach.

NEVER, EVER.

I can only go so far and those "green" cleaning products suck ass,big time.

LittlePaintedPolkaDots said...

Buy Chicobags and you'll never have to worry about taking your Walmart bag to Target again. Plus, they come in so many cute colors that all the other cloth bag users will look at you with envy (they do, really! In my mind at least.) They stuff back into their tiny pouch when not in use and they have a little hook so you can clip them to your purse before you go shopping so you don't forget. I have 10 (pink, mango and black) and I need more. I love them! Good for you for making the switch!

Anonymous said...

I forget my bags, too. So I started telling my 4 year old (who goes with me on the shopping trips) to REMIND me to bring them before we get out of the car. And she does! She is so good at remembering things that I chucked the grocery list and just have her remind me what I need.

I use my Kroger bags everywhere. But I'm thinking of sewing my own.

Congratulations on your smoke-no-more success. You can do it!

Dana said...

i'm trying to recycle more too....going green is the "new" way to be!

Christy said...

We use Whole Foods reusable bags at every grocery store we go to. It is hard to remember them at first, but it gets easier.

Anonymous said...

Buying more reusable bags doesn't help the "green" situation - use what you've got if they work :-) And good for you! I keep "meaning" to buy those reusable bags, I just haven't. I really need to do that. Thanks for the kick in the pants.

And a HUGE congrat's and pat on your back for the 5 days of no smoking! That's AWESOME!!!

Danielle said...

I think it is fine to use use the bags in any sotre you like. Don't beat yourself up about forgetting them- it takes take. I forget mine and get all bummed. But it is better to use them some of the time instead of never. Baby steps!

Marni's Organized Mess said...

You inspired me. I bought eco friendly bags today. Yup, I did.