Re-Useable Shopping Bags

[ZenSojourner]

When I go grocery shopping, I buy 2 or 3 weeks worth of groceries at the same time. I'm pretty sure I couldn't afford that many reusable bags.

I do save the plastic bags I get at other stores and use them when I go shopping at Aldi's, where they don't give you bags. I also use them as trash bags.

[lunacycles]

I keep them in the car all the time and develop amnesia whenever I go grocery shopping....fortunately, I mostly shop at a co-op that has recycled paper bags at your disposal if you left your fancy bags in the car.

[malkin]

I have a bunch and use them often, and have done so for decades.

I used to wash those plastic produce bags and hang them on the clothesline before reusing them, but I don't anymore.

[Kimmyt]

I have two cheap canvas type ones that I use, which works for me because for the most part I shop 2-3 times a week and just get small amounts. That number of trips will probably even decrease since I joined a CSA for veggies.

I keep them in my car, you can fit so many more things in a reusable bag than a disposable plastic one, so that works for me since I hate to make more than one trip from the car to the house when bringing in my groceries. If I forget them and The Boy is with me, he usually runs out and grabs them while I'm waiting in line

[surgtech1956]

I have a couple, keep them in my vehicle. They actually hold quite alot, so its kind of nice not having all those plastic bags to haul in.

[crazycanuck]

Psst Surgetech..Happy Birthday

[OakLeaf]

I hang them on the doorknob as soon as I unpack the groceries. Then I can't forget them next time I go out to the car.

Yesterday the checkout clerk at Whole Foods thanked me for re-using the plastic produce bags. (It was obvious since I had a collection from several stores.) Mostly a rinse is enough to get them clean; if not, they're easy enough to wash and dry on a clothesline.

[Irulan]

I have about 12, and with the exception of three I bought while traveling, I just collected various bags I had around the house anyway. Canvas bags, gym bags, freebies, commemorative..."schleppers" have always been around. Places like home shows and conventions will give them away for free, too.
Then there another dozen that I made out of scrap heavy fabric that are just waiting for handles.

I guess I find the whole "buying them" thing fairly ridiculous. I have bought just a few on vacations - I got some of the best market bags in Mexico for a couple of pesos, and another one my last trip to Bonaire... it's a great conversation starter.

I am fasciated by how few bags I have around now that I am pretty consistent in taking them with me. Training myself ( and the family) is the hardest part. By having lots, I have several in the car, and I can still have some up in the kitchen waiting to go back to the car, and I always have them when I need them.

We got a whole bunch of canvas ones embroidered with my hubby's company logo... they went like hot cakes.