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Dooood, I have been answering "neither" for years

Rarely do I get high on my green horse... but I seriously thought myself so clever when as a teenager shopping with my mom I would answer "neither" to the baggers and then whip out my duffle bag.

 

However, I am FAR from eco perfect.  To prove that, I took this quiz, called My FootPrint, which tells you just how many planets we would need if everyone on the planet lived like you do.  As I walked down this path to eco-enlightment via a computer tool, I became excited to see my results -- I guess getting a little high on my green horse.  I don’t eat meat; I recycle; I drive a 25 mpg Jetta  only when horseback won’t get me there; and of course - I don’t choose between paper or plastic because I bring my own bag to the supermarket.  I welcomed the opportunity to assess my ecological footprint.   

 

The results are displayed like this:  "if everyone lived like you, we would need __ planets." My score, in large thanks to air travel, is 3.9 planets!  I found a shallow ‘victory’ for at least coming in below the average ecological footprint in the US:  6 planets. 

 

Beyond this pointing to the fact that we can't smooth out the world's inequalities by making the poor much richer (because if everybody lived like the average American it really would take 6 planets to meet all our needs), it told me that we all have to find a big bang for the buck way to travel in class… green class.  So, now I am committed to offsetting my air travel emissions.  Emission offsetting means that you purchase a corresponding number of trees or clean energy credits to neutralize your carbon contribution from your flight.  But that is a different tip.

 

Off to order reusable, sassy shopping bags for Ideal Bite... let me know if you want to preorder one... they are going to rock. - Jen

Posted by: jboulden on 09/07/2006
related tip
Answer: Neither. Shopping bags create an insane amount of waste for something that's often in our lives for fewer than 5 minutes (store to car, car to house). Next time you grocery shop, BYOB (bring your own bag).
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catherine  on September 07, 2006 at 09:22 AM 1
Also, bringing your own bag to the farmer's market and places like Costco is a great idea. I have a stash in the house and car. If I run out, I do opt for paper because it at least can be recycled, whereas the plastic can't and generally isn't. You can buy things that are made out of reused plastic bags to at least help it along.
.netSherri Petersen  on September 07, 2006 at 09:44 AM 2
This tree-hugger likes to think that she is pretty green when it comes to household recycling. I actually use one of the cotton grocery bags as a purse! But when I go grocery shopping, I must fill at least a dozen or more bags, and since most of the cotton/canvas bags I've seen aren't as large as the commercial plastic bags, we're talking about a pretty hefty investment for bags, especially if someone wants to switch all at once. I suggest getting out the sewing machine, for those of us lucky enough to have learned to sew. Use an existing bag to make a pattern from, or modify one, and MAKE YOUR OWN!!! They're really easy. Just watch for denim or canvas to come on sale. Often it's wider than regular 44/45" fabric, so you can get more out of a yard. Now THAT'S GREEN!!!
Veronica  on September 07, 2006 at 10:21 AM 3
What about using plastic grocery bags for garbage bags? They're being reused and plastic bags would be used anyway, so what's the ecological impact of that?
Louise  on September 07, 2006 at 10:22 AM 4
But what do you do with your household garbage? I try to bring my own bag but have been using the grocery bags for my trash. Ideas? I did not see this as another tip. thanks,
Bekah  on September 07, 2006 at 11:14 AM 5
In addition to the sources listed in the tip, I love reusablebags.com. Their ACME Workhorse bag, in particular, is SO handy. I keep it folded up in its neat little pocket in my purse, and I never have to remember to grab one as I'm heading out the door. I can just whip it out, and it's shaped just like a plastic grocery bag but stronger, so I can haul a heavy bag of veggies from the CSA or a bag of cat food and cat litter from the pet store home with no problem.
Aimee  on September 07, 2006 at 11:16 AM 6
Me too! I'm curious about household garbage. If I choose plastic, I re-use it to throw out my trash. Is there a place online(or another tip) on what kind of garbage bags to use in your home that is environmentally friendly?
Toshio  on September 07, 2006 at 12:11 PM 7
Garbage has to go somewhere, and reusing your plastic grocery bags is better than tossing them. For the Biters interested in eco-friendlier garbage bags, may we suggest: * http://www.seventhgeneration.com/our_products/supplies.php They've got bags that are made from 65% or 100% recycled plastic. * http://www.biobags.com has biodegradable garbage bags - but note: nothing breaks down in a landfill!
Kelly  on September 07, 2006 at 12:40 PM 8
I bought some reuseable bags a month or so ago and use them for my grocery shopping each week. The ones I got are at www.chicobag.com. They are great! I bought a 5 pack and I can usually fit enough food for the 4 of us in them. It makes me feel good to come home without all of those extra bags. I don't have to worry about how to get rid of them. I wish more people would realize how wasteful all those plastic bags are.
Janessa  on September 07, 2006 at 01:35 PM 9
I use biodegrable bags for my garbage and cat litter, after all it is biodegrable cat litter, as far as what happens in the landfill I don't know but it has got to be better than plastic. Remember to not use plastic bags even when you go to the drug store or clothes shopping.
Karen  on September 08, 2006 at 08:35 AM 10
The whole plastic bag thing drives me crazy..... I found out where I live the bags you take back to the store are not recycled. The bags are made from recycled plastic and are not used again... So yes, the answer is neither. Bring your own bag... My thought is we have to do something about this. Get people to understand they can bring their own bags to the store for shopping... We need to unite. There needs to be a movement... I will be posting this on my website... How about the rest of you? Do you have a place to spread the word? always Karen with www.recyclewithkbkathome.com
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