Re-Useable Shopping Bags

[ZenSojourner]

Ah, well, no Price Chopper's anywhere near here. I've not seen anything like that in any of the store I do shop at. I'll settle for recycling the plastic bags fore reuse at Aldi's and using them for trash bags.

[ZenSojourner]

BTW, just as personal preference, I won't use the self-checkout lanes.

In the first place it takes jobs away from people, and in the second place I hate being yelled at by machines.

Just my preference.

[Trek420]

Re-usable bags: have them, use them, love them. Most often they get hung by the door so they go back to the car.

Procuring more bags: Most of mine come from Bike to Work day. I often take all or part of the day off and plan a route hitting the maximum number of refresher stations. This nets me enough re-usable bags that I've been known to ...

Gifts: use them as gift wrapping. But you still end up with lots of ...

Plastic bags: most get used for the doggeeeeee. Still enough left to ...

Recycle bags: drop them off at a store that recycles.

Clerks: to get them to use the bags put 'em in front of the groceries. Otherwise they go for the plastic.

Self serve registers: I don't like them either for reasons expressed above.

Starting June 1st even China is banning the bag.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environ...-bags-47010907

[Tuckervill]

I live in a place where unemployment is relatively low, and has been for a long time. No one is put out of a job here because of the self-check. The check-outs are rarely completely manned, anyway.

Plus, all my groceries are divided up according to the place they go in the kitchen. And that's the best feature!

Karen

[Becky]

Plus, all my groceries are divided up according to the place they go in the kitchen. And that's the best feature!

If I could teach the baggers at my grocery store to bag in the order that I've laid out on the belt and put more than 3 items in each bag, I'd be in heaven.

Most of the time, I bag my own.

[msincredible]

Most of the time, I bag my own.

I do the same.

In many parts of Europe, you are expected to bag your own, and you are also charged per bag from the store. Not a bad system.

[ZenSojourner]

I do the same.

In many parts of Europe, you are expected to bag your own, and you are also charged per bag from the store. Not a bad system.

Horrible system. For nearly a year I couldn't use my left arm at all because of a shoulder injury. I can't use my right arm for extended periods of time because of a bad elbow. I need a little help there, especially when Wally World has gotten rid of all their conveyor belts and you've got about 2 square feet of space to unload a cartful of groceries on, all the while they're piling up on the 2 square feet on the OTHER side of the register.

You want to REALLY take forever in the checkout line? Make people bag their own groceries.

I'm only 50 now and would never have guessed I would be as debilitated as I am. I have lost so much strength in my left arm it's actually a little frightening. As we get older we slow down much more than we could have guessed. I'm glad I've never been particularly annoyed by slow old people while standing in line, because I'm rapidly becoming one of them.

[Becky]

I do the same.

In many parts of Europe, you are expected to bag your own, and you are also charged per bag from the store. Not a bad system.

I love the idea! But I'm not optimistic that we'll see that catch on.

[Possegal]

I use the system where I have a hand held scanner, I scan the item as I pick it up off the shelf and then put it in my reusable bag. Then at the checkout counter, I just scan a barcode, it brings up everything in my bag, I pay and I'm gone. I love it - it aids in my ability to shop and yet still be a hermit.

[Becky]

Possegal- what store has the handheld scanner system? That's so cool!

[Possegal]

It is the chain Giant here in the DC area. Not sure how widespread they are, and not even all of them here have it. They have their occassional glitch, but for the most part, I really do like it.

[PamNY]

It's worth noting that shopping bags are easy to make even if your sewing skills are minimal. The seams need to be strong, but that's easy to accomplish.

Don't use cotton because it takes a long time to dry if it gets wet.

Pam

[Becky]

It is the chain Giant here in the DC area. Not sure how widespread they are, and not even all of them here have it. They have their occassional glitch, but for the most part, I really do like it.

Ahh ok. We have them here in DE too, but they go by Super G. I need to check out the one near me to see if they have this nifty scanning thing

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It's worth noting that shopping bags are easy to make even if your sewing skills are minimal. The seams need to be strong, but that's easy to accomplish.
Don't use cotton because it takes a long time to dry if it gets wet.
Pam

And be sure to check first to make sure the thread, fabric, your sewing machine, and your work table are not made in China- otherwise you'd just be deluding yourself about being 'green'.

(just kidding)


I agree that's a good option too if you have a sewing machine.

[PamNY]

And be sure to check first to make sure the thread, fabric, your sewing machine, and your work table are not made in China- otherwise you'd just be deluding yourself about being 'green'.

(just kidding) :

I know you're kidding, but I saved ALL the sewing-related whoozits that my late mother had. So much better made than stuff we buy now. I wish I could have kept her 1950s Kenmore sewing machine, too; I'm sure you could sew sheet metal with that thing.

Now my work table -- that I found in the garbage and hauled home on my dog's Radio Flyer (which I use instead of a cab) so just in case it was made in China I get a pass.

Pam