Reusable Shopping Bags

[Chrysogonus]

I personally think these are a brilliant idea, and it's great that they're coming back into style. I just keep one in my backpack all the time; it means that the mass of plastic bags in the kitchen is slowly being reduced, and it creates much less waste. They're more comfortable to carry, to boot.

It interests me that some retailers are attempting to entrench good habits into their customers through incentives to use these; President's Choice, for example, will give you the equivalent of 5¢ via their points programme each time you use one of their bags. (Since they only cost a dollar, that effectively means that they pay for themselves after 20 uses.)

Has anyone else fallen in love with them? Is there anything to dislike about them? Any especially creative uses you've found for your bags?

[neglitex]

I think that carrying a reusable shopping bag with you is a great idea. If you think of how many plastic bags we use every day and throw them away after using.
IMO the best thing to do would be carrying a cloth bag with you all every time you go shopping or keep it in your car.


Also, there is this disposable plastic which decomposes. But the problem is that it is 10x more expensive than normal plastic so if a normal plastic bag costs about 10-20 cents than we would have to pay around $ 1-2 for each bag.

[gman]

I have an old NoFrill cloth bag (3 to 4 years old bag and cost $2 at that time), 2 Costco huge bags (cost $2 each) and 1 Canadian Tire free bag in my trunk all the time. The free CT bag is the best because I can fold it small enough to put in my pocket (okay, I have a big pocket). It was free last week if you buy anything from CT.

[gman]

It interests me that some retailers are attempting to entrench good habits into their customers through incentives to use these; President's Choice, for example, will give you the equivalent of 5¢ via their points programme each time you use one of their bags. (Since they only cost a dollar, that effectively means that they pay for themselves after 20 uses.)


Will they give you 5 cents if you don't use PC mastercard?

[canabiz]

I have 1 big IKEA bag and a smaller one in the trunk, usually put these to good use when we go grocery shopping

[Rehan]

If you think of how many plastic bags we use every day and throw them away after using. Well, how about just re-using that plastic bags rather than throwing them away? Some plastic bags are quite sturdy and can be used many times.

[CSK'sMom]

We prefer our green bins that we bought from Zehrs probably close to 10 years ago. They fit the carts perfectly and I can always find other uses for them around the house. They make great individual laundry hampers on laundry day(s). :)

[Nikita]

I've got a couple from Zehr's ($1/each) and a couple from Remark Farms (same price). They're good and sturdy, the handles never tear and they also make a good book bag.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

reuseable shopping bags have been around a long time ago. I had one since 1995.

[nsx]

I have 1 big IKEA bag and a smaller one in the trunk, usually put these to good use when we go grocery shopping

Same here.

I've been using my "$2 blue Ikea bag" for grocery shopping since 2000. ;)

[brunes]

I personally think these are a brilliant idea, and it's great that they're coming back into style. I just keep one in my backpack all the time; it means that the mass of plastic bags in the kitchen is slowly being reduced, and it creates much less waste. They're more comfortable to carry, to boot.

It interests me that some retailers are attempting to entrench good habits into their customers through incentives to use these; President's Choice, for example, will give you the equivalent of 5¢ via their points programme each time you use one of their bags. (Since they only cost a dollar, that effectively means that they pay for themselves after 20 uses.)

Has anyone else fallen in love with them? Is there anything to dislike about them? Any especially creative uses you've found for your bags?

I have about 6 of the Sobey's bags. My fav. thing about them is how large and strong they are. I carry home in those 6 backs what used to take about 15 plastic ones.

On a side note I find the Walmart and PC/Loblaws bags are way too small. Sobey's are great.

The bad part is now I have an ever-dwindling supply of trash bags for the cat litter.

[supersnazz]

MEC started selling their in-store shopping bags. I picked one up and it is perfect. It has a large capacity, so it's used mostly for carrying light-things. It's heavy duty and water resistant.

I've been using the PC bins for a few years now and they are very handy, both for groceries and for toting other things around. They fit perfectly in the trunk but are cumbersome to use as a basket and carry by hand.

[joshmxpx]

We started using these after we moved and had accumulated thousands of plastic bags over the years. Now we barely ever have them lying around. I use one to bring my lunch to work, but I use it for probably two weeks before I throw it out.

Its nice to have when carrying the groceries, as they hold more and you don't have to worry about the handles breaking with heavy items. As well, the cloth handles wont hurt your hands like plastics ones can.

[Tjalfe]

we reuse all of our plastic bags for the dog, or for lining the green bin.. but use our PC shopping bins when we are not low on bags.

[raptorfan]

I love the PC bags, they are very sturdy and hold much more stuff than plastic. I'm always amazed when I'm shopping though, how many people are still using all plastic. It's only a one time $7 investment (in my case). To get bags for the cat litter :) , I just pack my meat in plastic (no leakage in my cloth bags and at most I use is 3) and the rest in my recycled ones. I find this works best for me. Just keep them in my trunk and they're handy when I shop.

[AndrewRFD]

Good thread! We've gone ahead and made this topic the focus for this week's Green Tip Tuesday feature (http://www.redflagdeals.com/deals/main.php/alldeals/comments/green_tip_tuesday_reusable_shopping_bags). Be sure to check out TheStar.com's article which compares the features of reusable bags from many grocery store chains.

[chilts]

I have a mismatch of random cloth/synthetic bags I use on a daily basis.

I still like in parts of Europe where they charge for plastic bags at the grocery stores but I don't know how much a deterrent it would be over here.

I'm still amazed at all the people that bag their individual produce. 5-6 clear plastic bags inside one regular plastic bag. Pretty ridiculous.

[bionicbadger]

we reuse all of our plastic bags for the dog
Yup, dog poop or baby diapers are what all our bags get used for.

[a_y3n]

I have a mismatch of random cloth/synthetic bags I use on a daily basis.

I still like in parts of Europe where they charge for plastic bags at the grocery stores but I don't know how much a deterrent it would be over here.

I'm still amazed at all the people that bag their individual produce. 5-6 clear plastic bags inside one regular plastic bag. Pretty ridiculous.

They charge 5 cents a bag at No Frills. I usally use plastic bags for lining waste baskets.

[lodestar]

i'm launching a new business and i'm looking to buy a few 1000 of reusable bags.
what types of things do people like about reusable bags? is it okay if they're not cotton? is washability a big issue (some bags can only be hand washed)

anyone have any experience of buying these things? any suggestions on good companies to get these things?

this thread couldn't be more timely, thanks everyone!

[numommie]

Does anyone know where I can buy mesh produce bags? I dislike using plastic bags for every produce I buy.

[chilts]

Does anyone know where I can buy mesh produce bags? I dislike using plastic bags for every produce I buy.

Dont use bags for your produce?

[numommie]

How do I hand the cashier all my apples, tomatoes, lemons, nectarines, etc.?

[brunes]

Does anyone know where I can buy mesh produce bags? I dislike using plastic bags for every produce I buy.

Why don't you just re-use the plastic bags every time you go? Or bring some paper ones and re-use those.

[chilts]

How do I hand the cashier all my apples, tomatoes, lemons, nectarines, etc.?

pick them out of your basket/cart and put them on the conveyor?

[nalababe]

Cannot wait until the Sobey's opens up on Laird...now I can use a push cart and reusable bags....just like being back in the Annex. No need to get in the car to get groceries....

Just wish I was closer to Bayview (old style high streets are great) so that I could walk out the door and pick up fresh bread in the morning.

[gman]

pick them out of your basket/cart and put them on the conveyor?

Conveyor belt is very dirty. I would not let apples, tomato, vegetable, etc rolling on it.

[Oni-kun]

Reusable shopping bags is a short sighted poor idea. Hear me out. The whole idea behind them is to save on using plastic bags that are filling up land fills and non-biodegradable correct?

Well guess what. A lot of those reusable shopping bags they sell you are also made of plastic, thats right, read the label its made of plastic. Sure some of them are made of recycled plastic or party made of. So they're made from plastic whats the big deal?

We haven't thought about what we're going to do with all these "reusable" shopping bags when they come to the end of their lifetime. Eventually they will wear out and become unusable or so dirty and difficult to clean that people will discard them. They are non biodegradable. This does not solve any problems at all because we're stuck with the same problem we had in the first place. Lots of plastic bags, except this time thicker at the landfill.

What we need to do is make these bags out of something strong AND biodegradable like HEMP fibers instead of cheap plastic fibres coming out of a chinese factory.

All these retailers jumping on board with this reusable bag is full of sh*t. I work at one of them and let me tell you that we don't recycle. Our company president will go on TV boasting about these bags when we throw so much paper and plastic in the garbage. We don't recycle because it costs the company money to recycle. All the plastic hangers in the clothing department that customers don't take go into the garbage.

These green bag initative is just a front to get customers to feel good and get suckered into paying over a dollar for their own bags. It saves the company money and makes the company look good. It's all short sighted and will do nothing to help the environment.

[westernartic]

Conveyor belt is very dirty. I would not let apples, tomato, vegetable, etc rolling on it.

To add the loblaws i go to.Claim you have to use the little clear bags.

[gman]

We haven't thought about what we're going to do with all these "reusable" shopping bags when they come to the end of their lifetime. Eventually they will wear out and become unusable or so dirty and difficult to clean that people will discard them. They are non biodegradable. This does not solve any problems at all because we're stuck with the same problem we had in the first place. Lots of plastic bags, except this time thicker at the landfill.


If one re-usable be used hundreds times before it is thrown away, it serves the purpose even if the owner decides to throw that to garbage. They don't have to throw that to garbage. They can throw that to the depot for recycle again.

[canabiz]

To add the loblaws i go to.Claim you have to use the little clear bags.

I do use the clear little bags for small fruits and vegetables like peaches, apples etc. I know we are supposed to wash them before we eat and we do but I don't like to put them individually on the conveyor belt. Hygienic issue aside, it's also a big inconvenience for the cashier, ourselves, and the people waiting behind us.

For big fruits and vegetables, especially the ones that we have to peel the skins, like eggplants, bananas etc, i do not use the clear little plastic bags.

[anom]

Reusable shopping bags is a short sighted poor idea. Hear me out. The whole idea behind them is to save on using plastic bags that are filling up land fills and non-biodegradable correct?

Well guess what. A lot of those reusable shopping bags they sell you are also made of plastic, thats right, read the label its made of plastic. Sure some of them are made of recycled plastic or party made of. So they're made from plastic whats the big deal?

We haven't thought about what we're going to do with all these "reusable" shopping bags when they come to the end of their lifetime. Eventually they will wear out and become unusable or so dirty and difficult to clean that people will discard them. They are non biodegradable. This does not solve any problems at all because we're stuck with the same problem we had in the first place. Lots of plastic bags, except this time thicker at the landfill.

What we need to do is make these bags out of something strong AND biodegradable like HEMP fibers instead of cheap plastic fibres coming out of a chinese factory.

All these retailers jumping on board with this reusable bag is full of sh*t. I work at one of them and let me tell you that we don't recycle. Our company president will go on TV boasting about these bags when we throw so much paper and plastic in the garbage. We don't recycle because it costs the company money to recycle. All the plastic hangers in the clothing department that customers don't take go into the garbage.

These green bag initative is just a front to get customers to feel good and get suckered into paying over a dollar for their own bags. It saves the company money and makes the company look good. It's all short sighted and will do nothing to help the environment.

Some interesting thoughts but I think that making these reuseable bags more mainstream is a good stepping stone.

If you look at theStar article linked you will see that because most of these bags are made of plastic they are recycleable if and when they need to be discarded (although they CAN last for years). http://www.thestar.com/article/214170

As far as your comments on retailers just doing this to "look good", well that's what companies do. In North America, a company's main goal is the bottom line and a responsibility to their shareholders, and believe it or not that it not a bad thing for the environment in one way more another. It is our job as consumers is to make "doing the right thing" profitable for companies by using our power as consumers to make the right selections and force companies to respond to our concerns by threatening their bottom line.

[chilts]

I do use the clear little bags for small fruits and vegetables like peaches, apples etc. I know we are supposed to wash them before we eat and we do but I don't like to put them individually on the conveyor belt. Hygienic issue aside, it's also a big inconvenience for the cashier, ourselves, and the people waiting behind us.

For big fruits and vegetables, especially the ones that we have to peel the skins, like eggplants, bananas etc, i do not use the clear little plastic bags.

do people reuse the clear plastic bags? i see so many people using them for every little produce item that they probably use more of the clear ones than regular plastic bags. It's such an easy item to avoid using. Both of the produce places I shop at don't even have them.

as long as you wash your produce there should really be no sanitation issue.

[chilts]

These green bag initative is just a front to get customers to feel good and get suckered into paying over a dollar for their own bags. It saves the company money and makes the company look good. It's all short sighted and will do nothing to help the environment.

That is the bottom line of what most companies are based on.

Anything to help cut the amount of bags being used I think is a good thing. Unless however, the environmental impact of one reusable bag is greater to all the plastic bags someone would use in the reusable bags lifetime.

For people caught in consumerism, most require small steps in the right direction and won't change their way if it isn't convenient for them. Just trying to convert someone to use reusable bags is a huge ordeal.

[expergo]

BTW, if you shop at RW&Co, they give you a free reusable shopping bag. I was quite surprised when they gave me one last week.

[rchong]

do people reuse the clear plastic bags?

for freezing and as garbage bags

[jason9945]

We haven't thought about what we're going to do with all these "reusable" shopping bags when they come to the end of their lifetime. Eventually they will wear out and become unusable or so dirty and difficult to clean that people will discard them. They are non biodegradable. This does not solve any problems at all because we're stuck with the same problem we had in the first place. Lots of plastic bags, except this time thicker at the landfill.


At lease one variety of reusable bag is recyclable. Do some research!

[CSR]

I always have my backpack when i do groceries.... and my bike to get there and back.

[M@rk]

We re-use the clear fruit bags for freezers and general use.

They are non biodegradable. This does not solve any problems at all because we're stuck with the same problem we had in the first place.

1 reusable bag would still be less than the 300 normal ones we'd use in a year.

Conveyor belt is very dirty. I would not let apples, tomato, vegetable, etc rolling on it.

? I thought we're supposed to wash our fruits and veggies before eating them :|

[gman]

? I thought we're supposed to wash our fruits and veggies before eating them :|

Yes, it does not mean you can wash it clean enough. Think about it. The previous customer may put something toxic on the belt and leak out a bit. Do you have confidence you can always wash it cleanly? Personally, I would not take that chance and I also will wash it regardless.

[gordholio]

Conveyor belt is very dirty. I would not let apples, tomato, vegetable, etc rolling on it.

First time I've ever heard someone not putting their veggies on the checkout conveyor belt.

[canabiz]

First time I've ever heard someone not putting their veggies on the checkout conveyor belt.

You should have gone to a few of the lower-end (for a lack of a better word) grocery shops like Price Choppers and what have you and looked at their conveyor belts then

You might change your mind about putting stuff on that.

[gman]

First time I've ever heard someone not putting their veggies on the checkout conveyor belt.

So, you do that without putting your veggie into a plastic bag?

[gman]

You should have gone to a few of the lower-end (for a lack of a better word) grocery shops like Price Choppers and what have you and looked at their conveyor belts then

You might change your mind about putting stuff on that.

In addition, he should check out the Chinese one. The colour of some belts are not even black (or dark gray).

[PS_GUY]

Reusable bags have been around for quite a while and I would jump at this opportunity to become more green but I need the bags to use as garbage bags.

For everyone using these durable bags, what kind of bags do you use as your garbage bags?

[crashcourse]

Shoppers Drug Mart should create a reusable shopping bag and credit optimum points each time you use it!

[Freelancer-Mountaineer]

I love using reusable shopping bags, especially the bigger totes for when I'm out. However, I think a small problem still exists and I hope this initiative will eliminate it. Stores still like giving plastic bags and if you don't take it and just stuff it in your tote and then walk around to buy other stuff in the store or mall, even though you have your receipt, it still could look like you're taking it because it's just an item in your tote, without a plastic bag. It's stupid but I hope retailers / salespeople can stopping thinking along those lines and not only embrace this, but shift their thinking as well. I hate it but mostly I still end up with plastic bagged merchandise in my reusable tote for all shopping, except groceries. I always make sure to reuse the plastic bags for garbage but it still sucks.

[mrsmagoo2001]

Why did grocery stores grt rid of paper bags? Too costly?

[gman]

Why did grocery stores grt rid of paper bags? Too costly?

Did they ever use in Ontario? I did not notice any reasonable size supermarket used that in the past 30 years (or even more).

I know it is common in US. I have a friend who went to US and buy some grocery. The cashier asked if she wants paper or plastic. She thought the cashier mean to ask if she wanted to pay cash or credit card. ;)

[fiscal-rick]

Did they ever use in Ontario? I did not notice any reasonable size supermarket used that in the past 30 years (or even more).

I know it is common in US. I have a friend who went to US and buy some grocery. The cashier asked if she wants paper or plastic. She thought the cashier mean to ask if she wanted to pay cash or credit card. ;)

have you meen in a closet for thirty years?

most major supermarkets stopped offering them in the open 6 years ago and only discontinued carrying them (you could ask) about 3-4 years ago

I go to SUPER C in Hull (across the river from ottawa in quebec) they still have them sitting on every cash!

I use them to put my recylcled paper items in ... if i dont have one, I just throw the paper items in the garbage, as the recycle box is outside the side door ... and that is a long walk through like a room and a hall!

FR