Eco-friendly bags from the stores

**cheriede** · 06-14-2008, 07:46 PM

I shop at Goodwill on a somwhat regular basis. I cannot tell you how many times I have run across the eco-friendly Target and Walmart bags for sale at Goodwill. Do people buy these bags and then donate them after one use? I was just wondering if anyone else has noticed the same thing?

**Lady_V** · 06-14-2008, 07:56 PM

I don't shop at GW much... but I have noticed that when my grocery store first started selling the re-usable bags, they couldn't keep one on the shelf... now, no one buys them, and from what I can tell, I am the only one who actually uses them...

**acidcookie** · 06-14-2008, 08:16 PM

Haven't noticed this, but unfortunately I did see some of these in the TRASH. Someone's not getting it...

**Momto2Boyz** · 06-14-2008, 08:25 PM

I think people think it is a really good idea, so they buy them, but they just aren't actually committed to it. Then after a couple of times of going to the store and forgetting them, they just pitch them.

Which totally stinks. I have used my own canvas bags for years and was happy to see the stores trying to finally do something about the bag problem.

And just a note, if your eco-bags ever tear, wear out, etc. They are 100% recyclable too! So you can re- recycle them!

**brainyblonde** · 06-14-2008, 08:32 PM

I LOVE my red Target bag!! I also have 3 large bags from Market Day (the school fundraising program). They are made out of the heavy woven plastic material (like tarps) and can hold a LOT of weight. I sometimes fill them to where I can't lift them!! They also zipper closed.

My Target bag goes with me to the dry cleaner and to work sometimes. I use the large Market Day bags for the Aldi and Farmer's Market trips.

**FrugalWitch** · 06-14-2008, 08:45 PM

I haven't noticed. I started buying large canvas tote bags at yardsales a few years ago to use for shopping (ahead of the trend as it were) I bought mine for 10-50 cents each.

I do have one mondo-ginormous insulated bag that I bought from Sam's Club 2 years ago for $15. It's a monster, fully loaded I cannot lift it. (I just try to only fill it half-way) However it is perfect for transporting frozen and refrigerated items.

What kinda moron would just toss out reusable bags that aren't ripped or otherwise unusable?

**MomK** · 06-14-2008, 08:55 PM

I don't believe that I've noticed any reusable bags at GW, but I probably wasn't looking...I'd like to buy some of them!

**Frugal Nurse** · 06-14-2008, 08:57 PM

can I just share with you about the 'bag' situation?

If you don't care to listen.... move on.

There are only a few things I buy at the local grocery store. (Big chain around here). They're not into cloth bags like WholeFoods. But I bring my own just the same. I've been doing this for years.
This store, I swear, is absolutely obsessed about the bags! They put one or two items in a plastic bag and put in the carraige.
Drives me insane! I used to come home with 50 items and 20 bags. Crazy!

Now... I bring my bags. I only buy cat food and a few staples there because it's the cheapest (and the food is gross).
I buy 100 cans of cat food and 5 bags of dry and I only go once a month.

One visit:
I'm chatting with cashier - not paying attention - and voila! they're trying to stick something in a plastic bag.
"Oh, I have my own bags." I say
They take out the one item that was in the plastic bag which is now in my carraige... and throw away the plastic bag! ARRGG!!

A few visits later - I watched the bagging. I must have turned my head.. to ... oh... idunno.. PAY THE CASHIER! and didn't notice until I got to my car that the perverbial plastic bag was in my cart! ARRRGGG!
It was the plague! Such a weird feeling.
Next visit - I watched the bagging. I decided that despite my cloth bags, they MUST put something in a plastic bag. It's the weirdest thing! They used the plastic to place one item they thought should be in a plastic bag!. AAAARRGH!!!

It's a conspiracy!
I walked away and stood there while the manager was talking... and contemplated having a little ecological discussion with him. But, I didn't want to be 'labeled' there- cuz I've lived here a long time.

So, I got in my car and on my cell- yep just like a chicken - and spoke to the manager on the phone. Told him ALL about the plastic bag situation.

He was appreciative since the bags cost 7 cents (hard to believe) and wants people to bring their own bags. He will reeducate the baggers.

No problems since. been there twice since. I feel like an undercover treehugger.
Report to follow.

**cheriede** · 06-14-2008, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by FrugalWitch

I haven't noticed. I started buying large canvas tote bags at yardsales a few years ago to use for shopping (ahead of the trend as it were) I bought mine for 10-50 cents each.

I do have one mondo-ginormous insulated bag that I bought from Sam's Club 2 years ago for $15. It's a monster, fully loaded I cannot lift it. (I just try to only fill it half-way) However it is perfect for transporting frozen and refrigerated items.

What kinda moron would just toss out reusable bags that aren't ripped or otherwise unusable?

I'm guessing it's the same moron that would be purchasing all of those "trendy" green cleaners that AmyMCGS has posted about.

**earthymom** · 06-15-2008, 02:09 AM

Frugal Nurse thanks for that story.

I haven't noticed any bags at GW but I don't go there often. I have noticed that there are at least a few other customers with the bags when I shop.

I'm just glad that they give me a 5 cent credit for each bag I bring -- one cashier complained though that it wasn't fair since I wasn't using bags bought at their store. I just smiled and said that I was still saving them money on plastic bags.

More and more companies are discovering that "green" saves money. I expect we'll see more "encouragement" from stores to get customers to bring their own bags.

**momishem** · 06-15-2008, 08:54 AM

I am trying to get into the habit of taking my own bags. But I must admit, I forget more often than remember! I am going to GW today and I will look for some.

**earthymom** · 06-15-2008, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by momishem

I am trying to get into the habit of taking my own bags. But I must admit, I forget more often than remember! I am going to GW today and I will look for some.

Know what you mean -- it took me a while to get into the habit of putting the empty bags in my trunk after putting groceries away. If I don't do that, I may forget them.

**Lady_V** · 06-15-2008, 09:14 AM

I have them stashed everywhere

including my ex's car... in the event I am borrowing his when I need to go to the store

Toys R Us has a HUGE bag, very strong, and I only paid $1 for it

**ab27** · 06-15-2008, 09:25 AM

I use the plastic wal mart bags, but I save them all and when I get a bunch of them i just take them back. They have this big plastic box outside the store for bag recycling.

**acidcookie** · 06-15-2008, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Frugal Nurse

So, I got in my car and on my cell- yep just like a chicken - and spoke to the manager on the phone. Told him ALL about the plastic bag situation.

He was appreciative since the bags cost 7 cents (hard to believe) and wants people to bring their own bags. He will reeducate the baggers.

No problems since. been there twice since. I feel like an undercover treehugger.
Report to follow.

That's great! I should do this. WEGMANS sold me their bags and then was messing up at first! One guy totally didn't get it, and would bag the stuff in plastic, THEN put it in my cloth bag. Hello!

What really annoys me though is that because they're bigger they put SO MUCH STUFF in one bag--more than they would ever put in one plastic bag. I have to carry these things to the bus!