Paper, plastic or reusable shopping bags?

A

arrtup3

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Do you use paper, plastic or reusable shopping bags?

Do you have a choice?

My state is in transition, and by next year, people are supposed to bring their own bags or be charged for each bag.

I bring reusable bags most of the time for groceries and other shopping. Now I have to make it a habit to also wash them. Many supermarkets give bag credit, from 3 to 10 cents, as an incentive.

Just curious about how it is in other places around the U.S. and in Canada.
 
No paper for years here in Las Vegas. BYOB {Bring Your Own Bag} is optional, and encouraged at the Whole Foods/Trader Joe types of stores.

There used to be bins to discard plastic bags for recycling near the front door of the supermarket, but not lately. Not that I used them - I repurpose/reuse bags, containers, boxes, etc. - you'd think I grew up during the depression, since I've *always* done so!

I've won a few reusable bags that I use when I buy cigs & I run them thru the washer when they get dirty, {so far they've held up} but no way would I ever put any fresh fruit/veggies/meat in them!
 
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amyshulk said:
No paper for years here in Las Vegas. BYOB {Bring Your Own Bag} is optional, and encouraged at the Whole Foods/Trader Joe types of stores.

There used to be bins to discard plastic bags for recycling near the front door of the supermarket, but not lately. Not that I used them - I repurpose/reuse bags, containers, boxes, etc. - you'd think I grew up during the depression, since I've *always* done so!

I've won a few reusable bags that I use when I buy cigs & I run them thru the washer when they get dirty, {so far they've held up} but no way would I ever put any fresh fruit/veggies/meat in them!
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That's interesting. No paper, but no plans to phase out plastic?

I still use the thin plastic produce bags for meat and fish, but try not to use them for fruit and veggies. I am concerned about bacteria, and I have to train myself to throw the reusable bags in the washer because mostly I keep them in the car (so I don't forget them). I do reuse plastic bags for small trash can liners, so I will miss that.

Since the plastic grocery bags are biodegradable, I wonder how much of a difference it makes if we stop using them. Maybe it is more beneficial just because it changes the way we think, even if only in a small way.
 
I have a preference of plastic bags.

Also, I have a dog so it's very beneficial to have extra bags handy for the dog walks!

I believe that we should be allowed to get plastic bags...My state has them for free right now and always has, but I would pay extra cents to have a bag if I had to. With the dog, I'm proud to say that exactly no bag goes to waste around my house, plus I use them as liners for trash cans.

I think the govt. should worry less about the plastic bags for groceries and implement recycling programs for the homes instead. That would improve the environment a ton!

I LOVE to recycle! I try to cram our bin full of recycling if I can every week! I try to wash out plastic everything, I should get better about it lol.
 
arrtup3 said:
That's interesting. No paper, but no plans to phase out plastic?

I still use the thin plastic produce bags for meat and fish, but try not to use them for fruit and veggies. I am concerned about bacteria, and I have to train myself to throw the reusable bags in the washer because mostly I keep them in the car (so I don't forget them). I do reuse plastic bags for small trash can liners, so I will miss that.

Since the plastic grocery bags are biodegradable, I wonder how much of a difference it makes if we stop using them. Maybe it is more beneficial just because it changes the way we think, even if only in a small way.
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Not AFAIK - yet! Paper inside plastic gave the best of both worlds, and they were always reused as trash can liners - ticked me off when they went to plastic only!

We do tend to follow Callie on some things - mostly because the peeps who lived there voted for restrictive, job killing regulations, which created a rising cost of living that priced them out when they retired so they moved here & then the idjits try to ruin us! You just can't fix stupid, I guess!

It's gotten so it's all just a racket - take ethanol {please!} it uses MORE energy than it saves, takes food out of peoples' mouths, and to top it off, it corrodes engines - lose/lose/lose! But the corn farmers make out, so they keep the stupid mandates.
 
Plastic bags are a pain for canned goods, not strong enough. I do like them for my fresh veggies, but reuse those at home as trash can liners, etc. Neighbor uses when she walks her dog, to pick up behind him when he does "his business". That's just showing respect to others.

I also keep a couple in the car at all times, for trash. Then can toss when near a trash can when traveling.

My reusable bags great for boxed or canned food items. One of the reusable bags also nice when going flea marketing. Can keep with all all you small purchases.
 
Thanks, doll, amy and snoopy! It sounds like we do re-use plastic in many of the same ways, and if paper were more available we would reuse it also. I always used to save brown paper bags for cooling cookies, or for the outside wrapper when mailing boxes.

I don't mind changing to cloth and net bags - there are so many good options, and some strong, insulated bags too, which are good for cold heavy items. There are countries in Europe (and elsewhere) that do not provide bags, so our way is not the only way.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and how you do things. :)
 
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