I went to Wal-Mart yesterday

My local chain store, SaveMart, credits me 5 cents for every bag I bring in. I usually remember, but I'm not smart enuf to keep them in my car. If I did, then I'd probably forget them stashed away in the back!

murphysranch said:

My local chain store, SaveMart, credits me 5 cents for every bag I bring in. I usually remember, but I'm not smart enuf to keep them in my car. If I did, then I'd probably forget them stashed away in the back!

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I'm often guilty of that. I'm already in the checkout line before I remember my bags are still in the car. Lately I've been driving less and taking the bus more often. It's easier to remember them when you are carrying them on the bus.

Even out in the sticks where I live, I see more & more people bringing their own bags. One thing that drives me nuts, tho, is when the bagger wants to put something in plastic BEFORE sticking it in my bag. The meat is already sealed in plastic! I don't need another bag on it!

Now I'm always on the lookout for great reusable bags. I snagged a bunch of really nice, big canvas ones from the local farm store that were on clearance for $1! Now if I could just get DH to remember to bring them with him.... Even if they are in his trunk, he usually forgets.

My sister has another view on paper and plastic bags at grocery stores. Here is her opinion:

Paper bags and plastic bags generally are made in the USA by Americans from recycled renewable reasources or by-products of the gas and oil industry. Both are recyclable and therefor generate even more jobs here.

Many fabric shopping bags are made in China. The "Chico bag" famous in our area for being a green option to plastic shopping bags is made in China. The company only generates a handful of jobs here as the fabric bags are made overseas.

I myself have several "Chico Bags" and two huge insulated shopping bags/totes from Costco. I perfer to use those, but I understand where my sister's idea about supporting jobs here in the USA. I do however go out of my way to recycle the plastic bags that I do end up with. Many people don't and they end up in the landfill and spoiling our environment.

Southern Gardener said:

and I get to the checkout with my cloth bags I always carry I tell the girl I have my own bags, and if she will just put my items on top of the plastic bag wheel thingy I will bags my own groceries. Well, she says Oh thank God! I hate when people bring in those bags. It takes me so long to bag and I never understood why people use them anyway I was so dumbstruck I know I gave her a deer in the headlights look! I said really, seriously you have no idea why people use these bags? No she says What are they for? I couldnt believe it.

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Yeah... that's why people like her work at walmart and are so detached from what is going on in the world. Makes me sad!

Just to point out, there are many people who make the Fabric bags and fashionable ones at that... right here in the USA. Shop www.Etsy.com and you'll find many artists who create these, even custom ones well worth the price... and since you're not going to through these away might as well get something fashionable, hand crafted and made here. I rather $10 for one then $1 knowing I will have it for a long time, someone local made it and I'm supporting local business.

curly_kate said:

The meat is already sealed in plastic! I don't need another bag on it!

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A lot of places here do that. I think they are told to bag meat separate or doube bag, because of pathogens that like to live in meat cases and inevatebly drip to the outside of packages... of course, I bet ya someone probably sued someone because meat juice got on their veggies.

vfem said:

Just to point out, there are many people who make the Fabric bags and fashionable ones at that... right here in the USA. Shop www.Etsy.com and you'll find many artists who create these, even custom ones well worth the price... and since you're not going to through these away might as well get something fashionable, hand crafted and made here. I rather $10 for one then $1 knowing I will have it for a long time, someone local made it and I'm supporting local business.

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I do agree Shop local and made in the USA as much as you can. It's just interesting to share other's ideas (like my sis's) sometimes. I do like to get both plastic and paper bags someimes as I re-use them at home. But, Walmart seems to be the absolute worst for the shear number of bags per purchase. If I don't bring my own bags (and get diry looks like the rest of you), I get overwelmed with the number of bags they shell out at Walmart.

Trisha

Don't forget to periodically wash your reusable bags. They can be harbors for lots of bad bacteria, molds, yeasts, etc.