32 replies to this topic

[Marjan]

I am confused, which is the real green option?

Reclycled plastic bags are not a green option either. It will reduce carbon from the environment, but it will not be emmited by the nature. It seems we are in the same vicious circle.

I have read an article and found that, "Polypropylene Bags" are

• Non Renewable Petrolium
  
• Excessive industrial process
  
• Durability question
  
• Reduce Use of number of bags but not enough
  
• Very few of Reuse
  
• Recycled 100% - No
  
• Not Sustainability in future
  
• Not good as Use-Efficiency & Style
  
• Not Biodegradable
  
• Threats for Wild Life and Wild Fire Risk

[dconklin]

milano, on 10 July 2012 - 08:54 AM, said:

Are they free? From what I have seen, supermarkets/stores going green also brings nuisance to its customers or extra costs. I have seen one supermarket that switched from plastic to cheap recycled paper that you cannot even put anything heavy on it or it will break. What they have done is to just double bag or triple bag some items. Isn't the cost of that even higher than using one regular plastic bag?

Most people will not go green if it will not fulfill the 2 C's, convenient and cheap.

These are free.  Do you know the bags that you see on the rolls in the produce isle for you to put your produce in? In Stop and Shop (and I am sure other stores now too), these produce bags are now made with recycled plastic.  There is no cost to us as a consumer.  

I am not talking about the shopping bags that you purchase and re-use, those are not free.  You get your money back in the long run with those bags too tho.  Stores here offer 5 cents back for every bag you re-use on every shopping trip.  It won't take you long to get the money back from them.

[dconklin]

Marjan, on 14 July 2012 - 12:15 PM, said:

I am confused, which is the real green option?

Reclycled plastic bags are not a green option either. It will reduce carbon from the environment, but it will not be emmited by the nature. It seems we are in the same vicious circle.

I have read an article and found that, "Polypropylene Bags" are

• Non Renewable Petrolium
  
  
• Excessive industrial process
  
  
• Durability question
  
  
• Reduce Use of number of bags but not enough
  
  
• Very few of Reuse
  
  
• Recycled 100% - No
  
  
• Not Sustainability in future
  
  
• Not good as Use-Efficiency & Style
  
  
• Not Biodegradable
  
  
• Threats for Wild Life and Wild Fire Risk

I think it is at least a step in the right direction on the store's part.  Most people go to the store with absolutely no bags and this is why the stores offer a bag for their produce and also for their groceries.  Tho the plastic bags are not good for the environment, at least they are switching over to recycled plastic.  It is a baby step at the moment, but I am sure they will improve this too.  To me it shows they are willing to try.

[ACSAPA]

I just use cotton tote bags to carry my groceries and hand wash them when they get dirty.  I still use the plastic produce bags in the produce section because I haven't come up with a better way and I don't want to hand the cashier 5 loose apples to weigh.

I like using tote bags to carry my groceries because ,in addition to the obvious environmental benefits, real bags don't rip like plastic ones, spilling your groceries on the sidewalk.  If I can find something to replace produce bags, I'd like to not use any plastic bags for shopping at all.

[E3 wise]

Hi ACSAPA and welcome aboard, very good point about replacing plastic bags, I agree 100%

[dconklin]

ACSAPA, on 17 July 2012 - 08:09 PM, said:

I just use cotton tote bags to carry my groceries and hand wash them when they get dirty.  I still use the plastic produce bags in the produce section because I haven't come up with a better way and I don't want to hand the cashier 5 loose apples to weigh.

I like using tote bags to carry my groceries because ,in addition to the obvious environmental benefits, real bags don't rip like plastic ones, spilling your groceries on the sidewalk.  If I can find something to replace produce bags, I'd like to not use any plastic bags for shopping at all.

I like to use the re-usable tote bags that you purchase too.  I have a few big ones and my Mom also got into using bags like these too.  It is cheaper in the long run when you get a discount for bringing your bags every time.  There are times that I will need a plastic bag or two, but I try to use my re-usables.

I do re-use the plastic produce bags when I get home too tho.  I don't just dispose of them.

[fancyfingers]

I use the produce bags there for items that are small. I do not put things like bananas, in plastic bags. When I get home, I will use the plastic bags for other things around the house. These bags make good car trash bags. I keep a few inside my glove box.

[ashmonn]

This is the first time that I have heard of this, but it is an awesome gesture to make to your customers, that you are concerned about the environment. I am going to ask my grocer, next time I am in, to see if it is possible for them to offer this at my local market. That is a very progressive action for Stop and Shop to make and I applaud them for leading the way.

[MyDigitalpoint]

In my city, supermarkets begin to substitute regular bags with recycled plastic bags since past year, and my last visit to the supermarket brought news about a responsible and yet convenient way to recycle bags.

The supermarket is collecting and recycling all the clean plastic bags that you can take there, giving away discount coupons in exchange.

[Magic Pixel]

Pat is right. There are things like wicker baskets and other great options. Clothe bags for instance. Also polypropylene (but that's a bit debated isn't it?) Gunny bags, Jute bags are options as well.

[fancyfingers]

It would be nice for the stores in my neighborhood to offer an incentive for returning the bags. I use mine to line the trash cans throughout the home and I crochet reusable grocery bags and rugs.

[SheforACT]

I already bring my own tote bags to the grocery store, so I have been patting myself on the back for some time now.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

For the readers that may still space it off and end up with plastic bags; wal-mart (ugh) has recycle bins for bags at
their front doors.