I'm of two minds on this issue (yeah, I always have this problem, there are too many shades of grey in this world). On the one hand, the plastic bags are often strong and can provide multiple uses before having to be discarded, and are usable for trash bags, etc. When I go to Wegman's and am asked whether plastic is OK, I almost inevitably assent. The fact is, I'm used to using them and don't have a good substitute for them in terms of household re-use.
On the other hand, as the article notes, the environmental consequences of ubiquitous plastic-bag use are substantial and discouraging. Sea animals choke on them, ingest them and have potentially fatal reactions to the plastic in their system, the bags typically are not easily degradable and will clog landfills for generations, etc. And to boot, they are petroleum-based, so they only prolong and worsen our dependence on oil.
One thing is for sure -- I don't think government action is the key to a positive change. Apparently in Ireland they imposed a tax on the bags, and use of them has plummeted. Effective, perhaps, but I don't think the US and especially WNY needs yet another tax. Rather, it would be spendid if folks would just start using more permanent canvas totes or nylon backpacks to carry their groceries. Unfortunately, I'm skeptical about thie prospects of this. I know that there is a dedicated minority out there who already use permanent bags, and that almost certainly includes some enlightened (e:strip)pers. But I just doubt that the majority of folks want to lay out even a little cash to buy those non-disposable Wegman's mesh bags, the Co-op canvas totes, or other stores' equivalents. (Is Tops offering a more permanent alternative as well? Haven't been in a while.) And I think that folks (myself included) who do try to use a permanent bag will lapse and forget and probably laze their way back into using the ultra-convenient plastic ones.
Apart from resolving to do a better job of avoiding plastic bags myself, is there something I should be doing to reduce the negative impact of these little buggers?
Perhaps I should buy the women in my life this product?
Wow, this is great stuff! Thanks peeps for all the comments and smart suggestions. I certainly did not know that Wegman's recycles clear plastic bags, that St. Vincent DePaul needs them, or about the special properties of Aldi's bags. And I think I will cave and buy a canvas tote or two for walking trips to the Co-op (although that nylon tote that folds up seems incredibly convenient, (e:twisted) -- and if you wear cargo shorts/pants all the time like me, it's hands-free on the way over to the store...bonus!).
Thanks again to all of you for the excellent feedback!
I always have my :::link::: nylon tote bag with me. It folds into it's own 2x4" pouch with a handy clip so you can always find it. I also almost always have my keith haring canvas tote (see userpic) with me, which I love dearly. It's practically my trademark at the grocery store.
Like (e:Hodown) said, carrying your own reusable bag becomes second nature. Besides, plastic bags are about to be :::link::: banned here, so might as well be ahead of the curve.
p.s. -- Safari 3.0 Beta rocks. Haven't crashed in 1.5 days. Bye-bye Firefox.
I used to volunteer at the St. Vincent De Paul Society soup kitchen on Main Street. They were always in dire need of plastic bags for their little take home section. Think about donating them there if you want.
When I remember to store my canvas totes in my car, I use them. I have various kinds and sizes. The CO-Op ones are cheap and huge- but dont dry after washing, they re size funny. Also works best for small purchase store runs. Whatever bag I carry to hold cellphone/book/notpad-- serves as a sack to hold purchases too. Dont think I plan it that way, just works out like that :)
I use plastic a lot as well. cant/wont use totes for everything- not that organized to think that far ahead! Plastic is easy and I re use all of the time. If I recycle nothing else, the plastic bags I seem to always have a lot of, make it into Wegmans recyle bin or donated ie; Salvation Army, SPCA, Vet clinics <-- they are usually asking for them.
Hmm, paper doesnt seem to be offered as much now as in the past.
Kind of a side note-- as I dont always have my totes on me, when I buy a small amount of items, say enough that fits in an armful, I request no bag. How often I have bought just a 20oz pop and it gets tossed into a bag before I can stop the cashier?! yeesh! So I kindly hand it back.
that is all!
Yes you can recycle the bags and reuse them. Or you can ask for Paper bags. Yes I know that for paper bags they have to cut down trees but they are more recycleable then plastic and may be the way to go. The canvas bags are an awesome Idea. But I have an even better idea if you have a car spend a little bit more time and tell them not to bag anything they can put everything in your cart then you pack it into your car then drive home and do the same thing into your house. Will it take longer, Yes it will but it will also be good exercise with all the walking but what you carry won't be as heavy if everyone did this with a car it would be a lot of an impact on the enviroment. The other option is if you live near a store and really care about the enviroment go out and buy your own cart and then not have them bag it and wheel home what you bought.
agreed, canvas totes are real easy to use. i've also got a few of the co-op bags, they are super sturdy. for little things my 'purse' is a small canvas tote from body shop. basically it's just a small lifestyle change and once adopted you won't really remember having to use plastic bags. and josh, you can just sew something cooler over the giant logo - make it personal.
I keep and reuse the plastic bags, then recycle them when I'm done. Its pretty easy, especially when I go and return bottles and cans at Weg. Theres no need to feel guilty, coerced or otherwise fearmongered into never using the plastic again.
(e:drew) is right about the Aldi bags - they are unbelievably durable for plastic. They are reinforced and are very useful.
I did just buy my first tote though - I got it at the Co-op for $3 or so. Its nice and durable, but I'll probably never use it when I shop at Wegman's or anywhere else that isn't within walking distance. When I bought it I also bought $25-$30 worth of stuff and it all fit nicely. My only gripe is the logo on the bag - I like everything I own to be sanitized of logos - but what can you do when you buy your tote at the store you shopped at? =)
I like hodown's suggestion, but for those excess plastic bags we do have, Wegmans recycles. I bring lots of plastic bags including dry cleaner bags to wegmans.
From wegmans.com:
Q. What other types of plastic bags (other than Wegmans) can be put into the recycling bins?
A. Any clear plastic bags that are clean and free from contaminants are acceptable... other grocery store bags (yes, even competitors), commercial bread bags, and blue bags for home newspaper delivery.
Yes drew, the newspaper bags make excellent poop bags.
I end up getting plastic bags because they are great for dog crap (although newspaper bags are the best). Still, I do feel guilty. The bags from Aldi's are WAY reusable. We need to start bringing them back and making re-use. Eventually we will become tote-people, because it is the right thing to do. That settles it. I am going to put the Aldi's bags in my car so I will have them next time I shop. Thanks, chico!
I am one of those non-plastic bag users (when I can avoid it, which is most of the time). You get used to carrying around the cloth tote, they are light and sturdy. Once you start using them it just becomes second nature. When I do have to actually take a plastic one I reuse the hell out of it. That;s my only suggestion for reducing the negative impact, but I'm sure someone else has some better suggestions..