Reusable bags at the grocery store

**Mamaw** · 05-23-2007, 04:47 PM

Well, I have found several canvas shopping bags in my home. In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic bags being used, I took 1 of them with me to the local grocery store. At the checkout line, I asked the clerk to please use my bag instead of their plastic ones. She did so but you would have thought I had asked her to carry the items on her head or something! And this is a store that is actually selling little canvas bags for shopping!
Are any of you experiencing strange looks and remarks when you carry your own bags to the store?

It kind of makes me turn away from taking them to larger retailers....what do you think? I know it is a small step but at least it is a step in the right direction for me. And I just hate to have my feeble first attempts ruined by others. I keep thinking if I can do this then maybe I can try another step to reduce waste and perserve the environment.

**freyadog** · 05-23-2007, 04:54 PM

Yep. Know what you are saying. Experienced this over the weekend at Kroger. Looked at us funny with the eyes-rolling thing going.

Please....................

Barbara

**pip** · 05-23-2007, 05:01 PM

I've been wondering how it would go if I used cloth bags at Target, etc. Now, Aldis is one thing, maybe be OK at Cub since you bag your own stuff. I'd like to get a few more cloth/string bags to keep in my car.

**fizzie** · 05-28-2007, 01:27 PM

They just outlawed plastic grocery bags in San Francisco. Our little town (Santa Cruz, CA) is probably going to, too. Here you are more likely to get funny looks if you DON't bring your own bags. Maybe it will be a new trend nationwide??

**geckoace** · 05-28-2007, 09:16 PM

i have used canvas bags at target and not had a problem i just tell them i will bag my own stuff and i have actually found more often then not the bagger admires my bag and asks where i got them. i get much stranger looks when i am in a store and i only by one or 2 things and say i dont want a bag and carry the stuff out in my hand, which i do quite often

**pqb57** · 05-29-2007, 07:55 AM

I use canvas bags everywhere, if someone dosen't like it, oh well.

**PeacewithMyself** · 05-29-2007, 12:38 PM

http://cheaptotes.com/gusett_non_woven_tote.html

A poster on another site suggested these bags to use as grocery bags. They are only .99 cents each. They have other suggestions to.

Here I just bought 4 yds of canvas to make my own bags. These are much less expensive.

**IntlMom** · 05-30-2007, 11:50 AM

This is what I do at Aldi's (I know, not an organic store....but I live in rural NW Iowa - my pickins' are slim!)

I bring my laundry basket and put in in the cart, no plastic, no paper, not even canvas - and I don;t have to mess with bagging groceries. I usually put all the things that will fit into it, and then maybe bag a few, or carry the larger items.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 06-01-2007, 08:40 PM

Looks like good prices on totes... But they add extra charges to ship to Alaska (even though it doesn't cost extra, which always ticks me off). I ran a USPS calculator...it's the same exact price for them (they're in VT) to ship to San Diego as it is to ship to here in Anchorage, Alaska. I e-mailed for a shipping quote...with that info...we'll see what they say. I would really like to start reducing our garbage.

**freyadog** · 06-06-2007, 05:27 PM

I just made a tote. It wasnt the kind with just the two sides sewn together at the bottom. I actually put a bottom on mine so that things will fit better inside. The material was free as my sisters dh makes and hangs drapes for a living. so the material was a good heavy stock. it took all of 35 minutes to throw this thing together with good heavy straps. Since I have bags of heavy scraps I'm gonna make more and then keep them in the truck instead of those small light-weight ones that I have been using. With a bottom on them I think that I will be able to use fewer totes.

Barbara

**kittykatstrong** · 06-06-2007, 07:31 PM

I bring my laundry basket and put in in the cart, no plastic, no paper, not even canvas - and I don;t have to mess with bagging groceries. I usually put all the things that will fit into it, and then maybe bag a few, or carry the larger items

I do the same thing. I am waiting to be asked if I need to pay for the basket too, but never have been.

katy

**bumplett** · 06-06-2007, 09:20 PM

I think as women, we tend to play nice too often - if we were to take the time to complain to management every time a cashier gave that *attitude* - maybe it would make a difference - NOONE has the right to roll their eyes at you for doing THE RIGHT THING -

wow - I'm in a mood - hope I stay this way

**flowergirl** · 06-07-2007, 12:16 AM

I have wrote about this before I live by a landfill and down wind (the owners of the landfill has bought all the houses around it ) well it is plastic bag on the trees has far as you can see very sad. Anyway I have been using cloth and have had a few looks but now krogers and my local marshes stores will give 5 cents a bag so this is great . I gave up along time ago worry about what others think. they will get use to it just give them time with more of us shopping with cloth it will be normal for them some day soon.

**MarshHen** · 06-16-2007, 01:59 PM

I'm really loving the idea of the laundry basket. I'm gonna use it next time I shop. Thanks for the great idea!

**Mom23boys** · 06-16-2007, 02:15 PM

One of the grocery stores I frequent will give you .25 back for bringing your own bags. .25 cents isn't alot, but you are helping the environment! Maybe that is there way of saying "thank you!"