What do you use at the grocery store, paper, plastic, or do you bring your own [cloth] reusable bags?

Question

I'm doing a research project on how plastic bags affect our environment and what are the best solutions for bagging groceries.

I just want to know what you use and why you use it.

Do you use plastic bags because its convenient or paper because you can fit a lot in the bag or cloth because they're environmentally safe?

Just let me know asap... thank you for your help!

Answer 1

I have used a cloth bag for over 2 years and it is still going strong.

I use it because it is environmentally friendly and because it will not rip or tear and spill the contents.

Where I live, the trees and hedges are all littered with plastic bags which will stick there for years....an ugly reminder of our use of plastics.

Answer 2

WOW! I never knew there were reusable bags. I'm going to use them when I can. That'd be better anyway. . . well. I'm not sure %100 because I don't know whether it WOULD be better, but it sounds better.

But I'd say the reusable ones would be the best. Paper may be worst. But as I said, I'm not exactly sure.

Answer 3

I use the resusable bags.  The onces with the sturdy bottom.  They hold so much more, and it can be organized instead of everything thrown in the plastic bag.  Where I live, you cannot put the plastic bags in the recycling bin. You have to take them to walmart or kroger.  I do not want them around long enough to gather a bunch to take in.

Answer 4

When I remember to bring it, I use by reusable, when I don't I use my paper, and recycle them.

=]

Answer 5

I use a  keyring bag reusable made of parachute silk. I always have it hooks to my key so i don't need to worry where it is... I think this is good when you didn't plan to make shopping. See adress in the link

Answer 6

I work at a health food supermarket here in Charlotte, NC. Next month we are completely eliminating plastic bags. We will also be charging 10 cents for every paper bag that's used to bag your groceries. We are trying to promote people to bring in their own bags from home, reusable bags are much better for the environment, and actually much more convenient for customers. Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to breakdown in landfills. Just think about how many plastic bags are used everyday in different retail stores, and how many people actually recycle. It's crazy...THINK GREEN!!

Answer 7

In the best of worlds, reusable bags are the best option if they are durable.  I use nylon mesh bags with a soft bottom.  They stretch, are adaptable in shape, and are resistant to abrasion.

But you can't be prepared every time when you hit the store.  It is in the follow-up actions that dictate which choice (paper/plastic) you should use.  Re-use of the bag (instead of using a new, purchased bag) or recycling are great options, depending on your municipality.  

We do get bags on occasion, and we re-use the small ones for the bathroom and bedroom trash.  We stack folded newspapers into paper bags so the entire bundle can be recycled as one.

Answer 8

I started using my own cloth bags years ago because they were sturdy and held a lot.  I have many stairs to climb to my house from my garage.  Also, cloth bags just made more sense as they were reusable.  I return them to my car after unloading them and they are ready to use next time I shop.   So simple.

Answer 9

i always yell at packers at grocery store for paper. paper will decompose back to soil to grow a new tree. plastic fly through the air all over the damned place and takes a zillion years to go away. paper is so much more conveniant  too as they are easier to carry and the stuff don't slide out of a paper bag. look along the highways, how many paper bags do you see compared to plastic. it sucks!!

Answer 10

i would bring my own reuseable bags

Answer 11

i bring my own bags but if i forget them i put the grocerys in the basket without b ags

Answer 12

I forget my cloth bag, but I would love to get into the habit. I think it is important everyone changes and starts using cloth bags. Sometimes when I forget my cloth bag I just have my kid hold stuff so we don't have to use the extra plastic bag. Who needs to waste a plastic bag for one or two items?

Answer 13

i use plastic cause it doesn't tear like paper. also, i save them for other things like... storage.. lunches.. trash can liners etc.. so for me they have more then one purpose.