Bag it
Back at the very beginning, I promised that blog posts would never be political in nature. So, to be clear, my writing about reusable bags has less to do with saving the world, and more to do with sharing how I make my weekly grocery trips more enjoyable.
Oh, and I wanted to draw attention to the fact that several groups in Maine (where we live) are doing something pretty cool to encourage all of us to make our shopping trips more enjoyable by using reusable bags. If we happen to save the world while we’re at it, bonus.
Allow me to introduce you to the one thing (other than butter) that brightens my grocery-shopping day:
I get compliments whenever I am carrying this beauty that my friend Jodi gave me back in May. It even makes my grocery shopping sweats pants look good. Made from grain sacks and recycled plastic water bottles, these Blue Q bags really make me smile. I like them so much I’ve even started gifting them, hoping that everyone else has the same grocery store humor that I do.
And if you want to be stylish while making a statement, you can always choose this option:
courtesy of Blue Q
Besides being stylish, reusable bags are just plain practical. Who doesn’t love leaving the store toting a manageable 3 bags instead of the 6 flimsy plastic ones it would take to hold as much? Though skeptical at first, Chris even agrees that reusable bags make bagging, loading and unloading so much easier (plus he looks terrific carrying such pretty bags).
This week here in Maine, several private organizations, state departments and retailers kicked off “Got Your Bags, Maine?,” a campaign to encourage the use of reusable bags, thereby reducing single use checkout bags by 33% by 2012. I was shocked to see so many mainstream retailers participating, including Hannaford, Wal-Mart and Rite-Aid. Just think how many people could have a more enjoyable shopping experience while possibly saving the world!?
What are your favorite reusable bags? Don’t you agree that they make grocery shopping less dreadful? Really, reusable bags are a grocery schlepper’s dream. Now if only I could remember to put them back in my car for the next time…
Your bag is adorable. I love the colors.
We use reusable bags (although I have to say a post on the topic would possibly become more political for us =)). Ours are soooo ugly, though. I would love to find some that were a little cuter. =)
[Reply]
Hi,
I found you through Jen in the Country…
Anyway, I just wanted to comment that we also try desperately to use reusable bags…we have around 6 or 7. I must say that occasionally we forget to bring them in (mostly me…hubby is much more waste conscience).
But also, I really need my staple of paper grocery bags. I use them for storing the papers I am recycling in our recycle station (in the house) before I bring them out to be recycled. That is so the paper remains clean and dry (and stacked in a nice organized way). AND I use a paper bag at the bottom of the kitty litter box. It makes for quick cleaning and it is also absorbent.
As far as the plastic bags – if ever I get them, I put them in the recycling too. Do.not.like.
[Reply]