Reusable Bags Blog Posts

mcmilker's picture

I was reading Dina’s post about her latest eco challenge – avoiding plastic bags and I thought this might be a good time to share my balancing act with avoiding them myself!

 

I’ve been a big fan of reusable bags. I got used to using them when visiting my in-laws in Europe where THEY CHARGE YOU for a bag at many stores. That’s a wake-up call almost guaranteed to get you to carry your own bag.

 

Since, I am, all too often forgetful, I’ve come up with a plan to ensure I always have one with me…or almost always. I leave them in my car. Since I live in the suburbs of the great suburban city of Los Angeles, I walk almost nowhere, sadly. But I always have my supply of bags.

 

Since, I, of course like Dina, have a tendency to get to the checkout counter and find I have no reusable bag ( as I’ve left them in the car) I have started simply saying, “no bag”. Read more...

dina's picture

YAY!! I survived the first week of the MightyNest Eco-challenge!

I have to say, heading into the weekend I was feeling pretty confident. Then I quickly ran into Staples. When I got back to the car my husband looked at me with a smug little smile and said “Dude. You blew it.” Yep, I was holding a big fat plastic bag in my hand and I didn’t even realize it.   

 Fourth quarter fumble aside, I’m proud of my progress. Afterall, on a normal week my family will amass about 40 plastic bags. If the factoid on my Whole Foods Bag is correct, it takes 1000 years for a plastic bag to degrade. Yeah – 40 a week times 1000 years is a bad bad situation. So if I can just continue to contain our number of plastic bags per week, that’s a mighty impact.  

Here are a few things I learned this week…. Read more...

dina's picture

Today, in between dropping Biggy Boy off at pre-school and taking Little Man to music class, I stopped by Old Navy for my weekly visit. As I was getting ready to pay I looked up and - OH CRAP! - THE GIRL WAS PUTTING MY STUFF IN A PLASTIC BAG! NOOO! It's only Wednesday of the first challenge and I'm already breaking the rules. Am I really THAT weak?? Unacceptable. Just then, I spotted this sweet little Old Navy reusable bag right next to checkout. Whew! Nice to see retailers are on the ball.

Speaking of crap, I have a dilemma. I frequently use my little Target plastic bags to contain a really stinky diaper or my kitty litter scoopage. Obviously reusable bags won't work in this case. What should I do? Just dump straight in the garbage? A little tough with litter. But wait, do garbage bags count as plastic bags?

So confused. Can I get a ruling on garbage bags?? Anyone? Read more...

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