My community does not offer any kind of curbside recycling, so it's not a habit I've ever gotten in to. In my house plastic bags go straight into the garbage. I have absolutely no use for them (well, lining the bathroom trashcan, maybe). I know stores have collection bins, but if I can't remember a bag I paid for when I go in the store, there's no way I'm going to remember a wad of dirty plastic ones. If I'm quick enough at the checkout stand, I do usually get paper bags so I can cut them up and use for crafting with my kids. I've been noticing, though, that several of my regular grocery haunts have quit using paper bags completely (Kroger, you are my biggest offender!).
And so, for an easy way to get 2012 off on the right foot, I'm converting to all re-usable shopping bags! I should feel ashamed to tell you it's not actually for the recycling after all. But I'm not ashamed. I just want to shop with pretty bags that make me happy. I went hunting last week and found a great selection-huge bags at TJ Maxx, tiny bags at Ross Dress for Less, and bags to get the kids excited at Toys 'R Us. I have a few that fold up very small to fit in my purse, and one Envirosak that I bought a long time ago on Totsy.
Have they made it out on a shopping trip with me? Three trips to the store in the last week, and I forgot my bags the first two. But I made up for it today! I took them to Costco and didn't have to make 15 trips from the car to the house when I got home. The bagboy for the rest of my grocery shopping thanked me for having such big bags. And he even used one of the tiny ones for my white wine vinegar and cheese. This is the beginning of a new way of life for me!
Do you shop with re-usable bags?
I'd love to hear about your favorite one!
