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I Just Started Using Them For Reals

I've had canvas bags hanging around for longer than I've lived in San Francisco - almost a year. I even kept a couple in my Corolla before I got rid of it, but every time I'd go to Trader Joe's I'd get up to the check stand and feel like slapping myself in the face - of course I'd left my totes back in the trunk of my car for yet another shopping trip.

When I started walking to the grocery store, I put the bags in a really visible place in my kitchen. I'd forget at first, but eventually was able to make it into a habit since I couldn't avoid looking at the bags every time I went for ice cream or a pickle or whatever.

Anybody have good mnemonics for those who still can't seem to remember the damn things? Maybe put a dollar in a jar each time you forget? Wear a rubber band around your wrist on days you're going shopping?

-Toshio...off to put a dollar in the swear jar...
Posted by: tmeronek on 06/21/2007
related tip
How 'bout neither. We use shopping bags for a few hours, but they can take lifetimes to decompose. New foldable nylon versions make it easy to BYOB wherever you go-whether it's clothes shopping, grocery shopping, or a drugstore impulse buy.
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Leah Cohen  on June 21, 2007 at 08:19 AM 21
I've been using canvas bags for so long that I actually wore through a couple. Bags from Trader Joe's are great: structured shape to avoid those annoying looks from the cashiers, not to mention the food actually has a chance to not be squished or bashed. They are cheap ($.99) so if you should need an emergency one, it doesn't break the bank. And they really last. Finally, most grocery stores in the Washington, DC area recycle plastic bags. Just take them with you and deposit them in the bins outside the store. I get constant grief from everyone about my "bag of bags" but hey, who do they come to when they need packing material for those moving boxes?
bcp  on June 21, 2007 at 08:25 AM 22
Katie, thanks; point taken. As a guy i don't have a purse that take with me everywhere. And since i almost never drive -- having them in the car doesn't really help. therofore perhaps a much bigger issue for me and hence i am still a fan of bags provided by the merchant. I think it is a shame that countries are banning (e.g. Kenya) bags. And certainly don't want it to happen here (Canada).
Dona  on June 21, 2007 at 08:33 AM 23
I use plastic bags from the grocery store as my trash bags instead of buying them.Is this a good idea or should I switch to canvas and buy trash bags? Suggestions would be great.
deb  on June 21, 2007 at 08:39 AM 24
i use the greenbag (greenbag.com) and love them. my husband and i just make sure to keep a few in each car at all times. they are light, fold perfectly flat, and have a plastic inlay for the bottom so they keep shape when full. they hold much more than a big paper or plastic bag would and the handles are reinforced. we ordered ours from a website and paid approximately $3.50 each. BUT, i recently saw them at whole foods for $1 each (of course those are marked as WHOLE FOODS bags not just greenbags.)
Kristyn  on June 21, 2007 at 08:48 AM 25
Same here Dona. I use my plastic bags as my "diaper genie." Of course my method does not contain the stink as well, but when that comes up you just take it straight to the toter. As for my paper grocery bags, I use those as a inside "bin" for my recyclables. Its much easier to take to the toter and Im not lining a trash bin with a plastic liner (more waste). I figure the paper bag with all the recyclables is all recyclable. And of course I use re-useable bags whenever I can. I especially love my ecobag/string bag. Those hold tons and scrunch up small enough for your purse/bag.
Wayne Luke  on June 21, 2007 at 08:52 AM 26
I have been using a variety of earth friendly bags from reusablebags.com for about 18 months now. We have everything from Thermal Bags (it gets to be over 100° regularly in the Summer here) to reusable produce storage bags. The ones I like best are the Earthtote bags they have. They are heavy duty, stand upright and very durable. They carry about 5 times as much as a standard plastic grocery bag as well. Mine will probably last 10 years, except the one the cats scratched up. Our local Albertson's supermarkets are now selling reusable bags for 99 cents as well. These are made out of fabrics made from recycled plastic grocery bags so I find them worthwhile. Plus you get 5 cents back for every bag every time you shop.
Wayne Luke  on June 21, 2007 at 09:04 AM 27
quote: I use plastic bags from the grocery store as my trash bags instead of buying them.Is this a good idea or should I switch to canvas and buy trash bags? Suggestions would be great. -------------- Why use bags at all for trash? You have a large bin outside that everything goes in. I simply empty my bathroom and kitchen trashcans directly in the bins, don't use bags of any kind for garden cleanup (they won't take it if you do). Even animal waste goes directly in the bins without being bagged first. By encapsulating your trash in plastic bags you create nice little coffins so when the landfills are dug up 1000 years from now, everything will be nicely preserved.
Dona  on June 21, 2007 at 09:18 AM 28
Anyone have any experience with BioBags? http://www.biobagusa.com/ This seems like a good alternative.
Sarah  on June 21, 2007 at 09:21 AM 29
I just wanted to post this link to warn people about the "I am not a plastic bag" bags for those of you in the UK Exposed: 'I'm not an ethical bag' While saving plastic bags is a noble thing in itself, these bag are not fair trade and exploit cheap labor overseas.
Kristyn  on June 21, 2007 at 09:25 AM 30
It is very awkward to lug a 10-13 gallon garbage bin to the toter everyday. Not to mention all the drips and leftover food residual clinging to your garbage can. A stinky mess to clean up everytime you take out the garbage. The biobags seem like a great alternative, but they are so expensive.
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