130 replies to this topic

[missusyessum]

Machida, on 20 July 2010 - 07:53 AM, said:

In a nearby local store, they have a promo on giving a reusable green bag for anyone who shops within some amount.  The green reusable bag is made from cloth which you could wash every time it gets dirty.  
A good tactic to get buyers buying from them even more!

Some of our local stores started charging people for each plastic bag they use when they go shopping. They use to give it for free but now they started charging to encourage people to use reusable bags instead. I would love if they got rid of the plastic bags altogether. They also gave away free reusable green bags for costumers who shops within a certain amount just like the poster above mentioned.

[Jkility]

Over here in the UK Some shops dont ask you if you need a bag anymore, you have to ask for one , and the big bags they call the bags for life, if they break then the shops will replace them for free, this is just many of the many ways they are using to cut down.

[Yoginitrish]

I wish stores and farm markets would stop using plastic bags altogether. So often, before I can tell the clerk that I have a reusable bag, they've already bagged in plastic. And then, to accommodate, they throw out the plastic bag. It is sort of useless.

[sammilynn]

I have some reusable bags, but they were not cheap and I completely understand not being able to afford them. It was hard to buy them at the time, and it would be even harder now.

also, I reuse the plastic bags I had before, for whatever I need a bag for. Sometimes it is needed as a garbage bag, but I got more than 1 use out of it, so it's a tiny difference, but a difference just the same.

[mariaandrea]

My local grocery store gives a 3 cent refund for every re-useable bag you bring in for your groceries. It's not much, but eventually it adds up and it's a nice touch. I have several bags from all sorts of places, many of which I got for free or $1 each. That said, I do deliberately ask for paper bags from time to time because I use them as garbage bags in my home. They can go into the yard waste bin to be recycled and I don't buy any kind of plastic garbage bags at all like I used to.

[godarna]

I try to avoid plastic bags as much as possible. Always bring a cotton shopping bag; actually I am used to this my whole life. In former days you had to bring your own bag, plastic shopping bags did not even exist.

[fancyfingers]

I recycle my plastic bags around the house because our city refuses them in the recycling bin. I line my trash cans throughout the house with them. I also cut them into strips, loop the strips together and make a 'plastic yarn' with them and crochet myself my own reusable grocery/store bags. I crochet when I am watching TV with the family. Since I am not a fast crocheter, it takes me a bit of time to make a bag.

[marale60]

The plastic disposable bags are shockingly bad for the Earth. The sad thing is that the technology to make biodegradable plastic bags exists and has existed for over a decade yet because it is too expensive supermarkets, etc. won't shift to them. Many countries in Europe have banned plastic bags and require you to bring your own or buy a reusable one at the checkout. They make it very difficult to use plastic bags and that is the way it should be.

[artistry]

There is a new invention that is being developed, which is bio-degradeable, and is made of a type of plastic wood. This will eliminate regular plastic altogether, over a period of time. How long it will take to switch from the old plastic to the new would be a guesstamate, but it is on the way, thanks to creative people, who want to make a difference.

[SolaStarr]

They charge 5 cent per plastic bag at my local grocery store, most people end up bringing their own bags or throwing the grocericies in the trunk until they get home. I think charging per bag is a good idea to reduce the amount of plastic bags in circulation.

As a second though, cant they come up with a solution to make plastic "degrade" faster? If they can get to the moon, surely they can come up with a way to solve this problem. Funny thing is a lot of people arent used to paper bags and will automatically ask for platic at the store.

[Alli]

I try to remember to bring our reusable bag when we go to the grocery, but it's easy to forget it sometimes. I think they are a bit pricey, but if you just buy one every time- or every other time- you go to the store, in a few trips you'll have all you need.

[mariaandrea]

fancyfingers, on 21 October 2011 - 07:52 PM, said:

I recycle my plastic bags around the house because our city refuses them in the recycling bin. I line my trash cans throughout the house with them. I also cut them into strips, loop the strips together and make a 'plastic yarn' with them and crochet myself my own reusable grocery/store bags. I crochet when I am watching TV with the family. Since I am not a fast crocheter, it takes me a bit of time to make a bag.

That's brilliant. I saw an article once about a woman who made rugs with crocheted plastic bags and I've been meaning to experiment with crocheting plastic ever since. Thanks for the reminder! I'm going to try and make a bag now!

SolaStarr, on 27 October 2011 - 06:20 AM, said:

...I think charging per bag is a good idea to reduce the amount of plastic bags in circulation. As a second though, cant they come up with a solution to make plastic "degrade" faster? If they can get to the moon, surely they can come up with a way to solve this problem...  

The problem with what they have so far is that even though many plastics are biodegradable they still produce greenhouse gas emissions in landfills. If we capture more of the gas being emitted and use it for energy it would be fine, but we aren't capturing nearly enough now. But you're right, we do have the intelligence and technology to make it happen.

http://www.greenbiz....till-bad-planet

[Monkey Doctor]

I always take bags out if I'm going shopping. If I do collect any plastic bags there is a healthfood shop in my city that will take any from me. Some people can't get out of the habit of asking for a bag so at least they are being re-used rather than binned.

[fancyfingers]

Maria,
I can't believe how sturdy these bags are that I have made. I have read about some people cutting the plastic bags to make a large rectangle (cut off the bottom and the handles), make a stack of 5 or more of the same size bag. Then they place a piece of parchment paper or a towel on the bags and iron them together. The heat melts the bags together so you can cut out a pattern with it.
It would be great if more people find different ways to reuse the plastic bags and other items too that can't be recycled. Any way to keep it out of the landfill.

[mariaandrea]

Hmm, I'm seeing this as a challenge, thinking up creative ways to re-use plastic bags. I've been considering an experiment with cutting them into narrow strips, braiding them together, then using them to make a macrame plant hanger. We'll see how it goes.

One thing I have done and continue to do is donate most of the bags I somehow end up with to my local food bank where they always need them because people don't always bring enough of their own bags. And, people continue to re-use the "disposable" plastic bags they get there every week.

[Green Thumb]

mariaandrea, on 28 October 2011 - 11:16 PM, said:

Hmm, I'm seeing this as a challenge, thinking up creative ways to re-use plastic bags. I've been considering an experiment with cutting them into narrow strips, braiding them together, then using them to make a macrame plant hanger. We'll see how it goes.

One thing I have done and continue to do is donate most of the bags I somehow end up with to my local food bank where they always need them because people don't always bring enough of their own bags. And, people continue to re-use the "disposable" plastic bags they get there every week.

You're wonderful.

If I may share a link, I found this one while searching for instructions on crocheting using throw-away plastic bags. More tips in reusing those plastic bags filling your storage.

http://the-plastic-b...-1.aidpage.com/

[wneely]

I get cloth tote bags at thrift shops and yard sales and usually don't spend more that 25 cents per bag.  I also cruise the internet for free samples of tote bags.  One of my favorite sites for freebies is http://nojunkfree.com.

With minimal sewing skills old tee shits, tank tops, and pillow cases can be made into tote bags as well.  Tutorials can be found online if you're not sure how to do it.  

[mariaandrea]

Green Thumb, on 30 October 2011 - 02:50 AM, said:

You're wonderful.

If I may share a link, I found this one while searching for instructions on crocheting using throw-away plastic bags. More tips in reusing those plastic bags filling your storage.

http://the-plastic-b...-1.aidpage.com/

That link is fantastic!! I'm amazed at what people are doing with plastic bags! Those pillows and totes and baskets are beautiful. I'm definitely inspired now to do some projects. Thanks!

[Liv]

I hate plastic bags with a passion!! I have seven bags for life, these are bags that you pay around 50p for and when they are too old to be used anymore, the supermarket gives you a new one. Even if I forget my bags, I use boxes and get rid of them via my recycling bin or reuse them for something else around the home.

[mariaandrea]

Liv, on 30 October 2011 - 12:14 PM, said:

I have seven bags for life, these are bags that you pay around 50p for and when they are too old to be used anymore, the supermarket gives you a new one.

What a simple and brilliant idea. I think I'm going to contact the supermarkets that have stores around here and ask if they would consider doing something like that. They make and sell reusable bags for $1 each, which is good, but they aren't all that durable and certainly won't last forever - in fact, the handles on some of my bags are broken - so taking an old bag in and getting a new one would be awesome and certainly build good will with customers.