It used to happen all the time. I would get inside the store, do my shopping and wander the aisles. Then I’d get in line to purchase my items and realize the cashier was going to pop the question, “Paper or Plastic?”
Well, I’d usually ask for plastic, inside the paper. Not because I was greedy and wanted all the bags, but because the paper ones worked ok or plastic worked ok but together they were a perfect pair. But I have discovered the so called “green bags”(cloth reusable bags) and enjoy them for my shopping. They definately do double duty. They are great to use and they’re my favorite because the bottoms are flat and wide. You can fit a bunch of groceries that you would need 3 plastic bags in the past.
Heavy items fit well in the bags and I’m able to carry items to my car without the plastic bag bursting on the ground in the parking lot. I lost a wonderful french bread to a plastic bag in the dead of winter.
I think that kitchens stay cleaner without all the plastic bags piling up in a corner somewhere. I know you can use the plastic bag holders but they are not efficient in my house. They’ve ripped as I pulled them out of the back of the little cloth bag holder kitty hanging on my doorknob.
So I carry them for use in grocery shopping, as a lunch bag or sometimes as a laundry bag. Remember to carry them with you when you go shopping. They’re good for the environment and that is important. But for me I know my groceries won’t end up as dinner for the seagulls in the parking lot .
It takes an organized person to get those empty bags back to the car for the next trip. As the unofficial queen of tote bags I love them but… they’re never there when I need them! I got excited and bought half a dozen sleek black ones at WalMart, but do I remember them the next trip? Not hardly! I even have a couple of the original canvas bags with heavy plastic bottom inserts that TOPS made years ago, but they never get refilled with groceries. *sigh* The nice, heavy-duty bags end up carrying balloons, kid treats, or any number of parts of current projects. I’m old enough to remember what life was like BEFORE plastic bags! Somehow, we survived. I’ll bet if they were banned now, we’d do just fine! I’ve always wanted to stroll the market with a rustic, woven basket on my arm!