So how's the "bring your own bag" to the grocery store program working out? (Reston: coupons, live in)

[cantthinkofone]

Originally Posted by cdmurphy

I have some, but I also need the plastic bags for cat litter scooping, so I can't completely stop getting them. If there's been a flurry of shopping and I have more plastic than I'll use up, I return them to the store's recycling bin (most stores have plastic bag recycling in the lobby).

We used to do this, but switched to paper lunch bags a couple years ago. They're not very expensive and work well for this.

[arielmina]

Originally Posted by cantthinkofone

We used to do this, but switched to paper lunch bags a couple years ago. They're not very expensive and work well for this.

Good idea and I've got a ton of them from a kids school project....will have to see how these work.

[ajzjmsmom]

When we were in VA I bought the reuseable bags, Giant gave you 5 cents off your bill for every bag used. I use them here in NM, not that many people use them here, but I love that you can put more stuff in them, they are much stronger than plastic and it results in less trips back and forth to the car.

If I do get plastic bags I reuse them, I use them as trash bags for my small wastebaskets and to pick up after the dogs.

[bmwguydc]

I tend to forget them, myself, but I generally end up buying more of them because of that, though I also have tote bags from L.L. Bean that do a great job for groceries, too. One thing that I really like about reusable grocery bags or canvas tote bags is that you don't end up with groceries all over the garage or trunk when a plastic bag gives way.

[ajzjmsmom]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

I tend to forget them, myself, but I generally end up buying more of them because of that, though I also have tote bags from L.L. Bean that do a great job for groceries, too. One thing that I really like about reusable grocery bags or canvas tote bags is that you don't end up with groceries all over the garage or trunk when a plastic bag gives way.

how true, especially when said bag gives way and cracks all your eggs or breaks a jar

[DC Oldtimer]

I like to use the self-check out so I can pack my own bags. As a result, how well this works depends on the store.

I'll give ya two examples, Normie.

1. Giant. Works very well. I take my own freezer tote bag (which I bought at Wegmans for 6 bucks). While I'm shopping I put freezer stuff like frozen fish and ice cream in it. I use self check out then re-load. I also bring recycled plastic bags along in the tote and credit myself 5 cents at check out as I use each one. And I have one of the royal blue Giant recycle totes. Has held up well for a couple of years.

2. Safeway. The opposite. The self-checkout has a cow if I try to use my own packaging. The robot voice shrieks "Unexpected item in baggage area" and won't let me proceed until I remove it. So I use their bags and transfer the ice cream and other frozen stuff into the freezer tote in the car.

[Caladium]

To be honest, I just don't feel like "bringing my own bag". I guess that makes me lazy, but I like the plastic bags at the store. I re-use them as liners for the small wastebaskets in my house. I certainly would never throw them in a river and I think that's disgusting that anyone would.

[arielmina]

Originally Posted by Caladium

To be honest, I just don't feel like "bringing my own bag". I guess that makes me lazy, but I like the plastic bags at the store. I re-use them as liners for the small wastebaskets in my house. I certainly would never throw them in a river and I think that's disgusting that anyone would.

I think the point is that even if you "reuse them" they are still going to end up in the landfill for a very very very long time.

Even if you just get one big bag that you use when you make little trips to the store, raher than your full shopping day, that would be a dramatic improvement over time.

[mississippimagnolia]

To be honest, I just don't feel like "bringing my own bag". I guess that makes me lazy, but I like the plastic bags at the store. I re-use them as liners for the small wastebaskets in my house. I certainly would never throw them in a river and I think that's disgusting that anyone would.

Don't feel bad. Even if I wanted to use them, I would never have enough cloth bags. I buy 200-300 dollars worth of groceries at a time. I reuse them around the house to line garbage cans or to pick up doggy poop.

If I'm only getting a few things, I'll use a cloth bag or no bag at all. But when I'm doing serious grocery shopping, I use the plastic.

[pseudo]

I love that they forced this on us because now I remember to bring my bags when I'm out for lunch. Another benefit is that I realize that sometimes I never really needed a bag. Wish VA would do it too, or at least Arlington county. Four Mile Run could use a few less bags.