People using Reusable bags!?

Question

Happy Memorial Day Yahoo family!

First off, I am a 3 month user of the reusable bag, I have so far brought 2 large cotton eco bags and 4 store reusable bags. My large ones are foldable to stay in my purse and I put it there after I am done right away. i keep 3 in my car and another one in my purse. Now, I went to Wal-Mart yesterday with a friend and purchased some goods, and there were hundreds of customers there and Thousands of reusable bags, but they were all on the wall in a box, and no one had a reusable bag (but me). Not alot of people doing the Eco thing as people think. I just makes me wonder, if Walmart was doing so much to push recycling. How about them offering a 25 cent discount of of their initial purchase and 5 cents there after. It is not just there that I see it, not to many people recycle. Happy to be part of free cycle myself but, wow. Do you see people use their reusable totes or canvas bags? Or do you seem to be the only one too?

Answer 1

When I'm in the USA, I notice far less recycling concerns.

In Canada, we're more ecologically sensitive, it seems.

We have separate pick-up for garbage & recyclables.

Recyclables are divided into plastics, metals, & Paper.

We're also getting composting bins for kitchen waste.

Answer 2

I use mine as much as I can. I see a lot of people using them at the grocery stores, and you do get a discount there when you use them. I do not know about Walmart as I try not to shop there.

I think that as a gift that is a great idea. Or even use the gift bags, and as people are cleaning up collect them and use them again next year or for birthdays etc.

Answer 3

Kudos to you for leading the way.  I have always been a proponent of "The Power of One".  People tend to feel uncomfortable using canvas totes in their public supermarkets etc...  There is still too much of a stereotype of a person's "class" to be dealt with.  I think that if people had a canvas tote with an image of something that they wholeheartedly believed in, then it might be more comfortable for them to start using the bags.

You can see in the "Apparel" section at FootprintsOfNature.com  canvas totes that are very attractive and I use all of the time.  Some people need to let others know indirectly/passively what it is they are actually doing.  The images of support on the totes make HUGE difference in the eyes of the user an others who see it all happen.

Keep forging on and YOU will be the difference that others will follow.  It takes time- lots of time.

Zoya

Answer 4

seems like a good idea to give them as gifts.  to me, even if you didn't care about not using plastic bags, they are pretty convienient.  I live by myself and it is way easier to carry two big bags on my shoulder, than a million of those plastic ones.  also, it's such a pain to have all those plastic bags, because nobody actually throws them away!

Answer 5

We just started too.  My thought is, this idea is just getting big and the more people see others doing it the more thought they may give it.  Be the pioneer in your area and inspire others!

Answer 6

I feel the same way!  When my mom and I go to the store it looks like we are the only ones that bring those in.  Not only that, but the cashiers look at us like they are annoyed because we ask them to fit as many items as they can into a bag since we only have about 5 of the bags.  We use them at Wal-Mart and HEB.  I also see tons of the bags, which is good, but I think more people should be using them.

Happy Memorial Day to you, too!

Answer 7

I'm in the UK and I shop mainly in Tesco. They have a variety of reusable plastic bags as well as cloth bags on sale. I see a lot of people using these in Tesco as well as in other supermarkets which offer similar products.

Like you, I keep reusable bags in my car. I am always driving when I do my main shopping so I can just take the bags out and use them.

Tesco have a point system and you get points on your loyalty card when you reuse bags for your shopping.

Answer 8

Good for you going for the reusable bag!!  There should definatly be a discount on the reusable bag.  Really though, there is no excuse not to use them.  They are not that expensive.  Seeing people with a plastic bag is a pet peeve of mine..(along with people who don't recycle) -but that's a whole other story!  I normally only see the majority of people using reusable bags at the grocery stores where they charge 10 cents for the plastic ones.  These people are usually older, in their 60's.  Very strange.  I honestly think they should make recycling AND the use of reusable bags a bylaw in all countries, states, whatever.

And the bags as gifts, I LOVE that!  I love to sew, I bought really cool fabric and made bags for my friends, they loved them!  But I'm sure anyone would appreciate any reusable bag as a gift.  Everyone needs to jump on this train!

Answer 9

I was at Kroger here in Milford yesterday and saw a guy using his. I thought it was odd because, unfortunately, you don't see people using them much. I'm guilty. I don't use one. But it definitely is a good idea.

I'm all about recycling, though. The plastic bags that I bring home get used over and over again for various things (such as trash bags).

I also go out and pick up people's old fridges, stoves anything that's taking up landfills and I recycle them at the scrap yard.

This was just an interesting post to me. Thought I'd comment.

Thanks.

Answer 10

I would like to use reusable bags however, I have two cats and reuse the plastic bags to put their litter "deposits" into.  If I didn't use the store plastic bags, what would I use?  Any ideas?

Answer 11

It's great that you're using reusable bags. It happens to me too sometimes and it may feel strange but I continue doing it. Well, I think that you shouldn't give reusable bags as gifts but instead you should give something else that isn't damaging our environment. For example, if they like writing you should give them a journal which was made of recycled paper. You should still get them aware of the importance of reusing and recycling though. I think you should give your gifts in reusable shopping bags. You're making  a change in this world so I say that you should continue doing everything that you are doing to help the environment.:)

Answer 12

oorah!

take an example people from this girl!

heres something you should do!

1-buy eco bags(the ones who disentegrate in a year) and reuse them so its 2 in 1!

Answer 13

They just started selling/offering reusable bags in my area and they seem to be catching on with a few eco-minded people.  They are definitely not the norm.  The cashiers still seem to get really annoyed with me when I bring them through their line.  It is extra work for them to have to set them up.  I'd be willing to bag my own groceries, but the stations aren't set up for that.

I did reusable bags long before it was the new fad.  I use canvas totes that I get at conferences and fundraisers.  I also reuse the paper grocery bags that my store used to use.  What ticks me off is that when I reused the paper ones, they used to give a 5 cent credit.  When they switched to offereing their reusable bags, they stopped offering the credit!!!  How does that encourage anyone!??  

There are some cuter tote bags being offered at places like target that have fun little eco sayings on them.  Or, find some totes on freecycle and then decorate them to give to friends.  They can use them for groceries or to carry other items.

Answer 14

I get a discount off of my bill at the local grocery store. 3 cents per bag.

If you really want to blow their mind, buy three or four items and then don't ask for a bag at all. Once I was in a Walgreen's and bought a few things of juice. The cashier was about to drop them in a bag, and I stopped her and said I would just carry them. She gave me the most confused look.

But, as I was leaving, I heard the guy that was behind me in line say "you know, if he doesn't need a bag than I don't either."

So you can make an impact, one step at a time.

Answer 15

I love reusable shopping bags. I think once people have used them for the first time, they will really appreciate how convenient they are and how much easier they are to deal with than plastic store bags. You should give them as gifts!