Living Car Free - Reusable bags!

The grocery store I go to (King Soopers, owned by Kroger's) had these bags on sale for 99 cents each... I picked up a half dozen. They look pretty sturdy. We'll see how they hold up.

Tag says they are made from 100% recycled materials.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/AzCowboy/bags.jpg

The major supermarkets here in NZ are offering something pretty much the same as an alternative to plastic. They are nice and strong and are very useful. I keep a couple in my pannierbag/bike baskets/& etc at all times.

Its the darnest thing but at the stores I go to they give you bags for free. They even put your groceries in them.

: )

Its the darnest thing but at the stores I go to they give you bags for free. They even put your groceries in them.

: )

Would they be those awful lightweight plastic bags though? - the ones that mess up the environment :(

Would they be those awful lightweight plastic bags though? - the ones that mess up the environment :(

how do they mess up the environment?

Well, they certainly mess up the digestive tracts of the birds who ingest them.

I almost always use my chrome bag and load it up right at the check-out. Very easy.

how do they mess up the environment?

FWIW, Plastic bags are polyethylene, which is a synthetic material made from refined hydrocarbon chains (oil).

These bags are a great idea, lets hope someone comes up with a rack specifically for carrying these bags and only charge twenty bucks for it. The grocery bag panniers are way too expensive.

how do they mess up the environment?

By far the majority of grocery bags end up straight in the landfill... how good do you think they are for the environment?

These are reusable and considerably stronger than the throw away bags that they give away. I also like that they're made of recycled grocery bags that would otherwise have ended up in the trash.
I almost always use my chrome bag and load it up right at the check-out. Very easy.

FWIW, Plastic bags are polyethylene, which is a synthetic material made from refined hydrocarbon chains (oil).
Thanks for confirming that. These are made out of polyethylene as well... I'm sure they're recycled grocery bags. :D
These bags are a great idea, lets hope someone comes up with a rack specifically for carrying these bags and only charge twenty bucks for it. The grocery bag panniers are way too expensive.

I got my grocery panniers for $35 and have hauled at LEAST 4 tons of groceries/supplies in them. ( :eek: That's a LOT of stuff!) They're pretty worn out at this point... time to start looking for new ones.

Wald makes a folding basket, they run about $20 a piece and will hold the large brown paper bag sized grocery bags. I also have the folding grocery panniers from Performance. Got them on sale a while back for $30 for the pair. Here is another place to get reusable bags (http://www.reusablebags.com/), but they are a tad more than 99 cents:o

Aaron:)

https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item-picture/10198/picture

how do they mess up the environment?

There are some places in the world where agriculture can no longer be carried out by the local people because of the numbers of discarded plastic bags in the topsoil.

Our local supermarket has a good sized heavyweight calico bag with carrying straps available as well as one that's made from recycled material like the one in the OP. Both are really good strong bags and hold waaaaay more than the plastic bags they replace. I personally prefer the calico bags myself.
Whenever I go out to do the weekly grocery shopping I always take an armload of the calico bags with me and make a point of refusing all and any plastic bag that's offered to me.

http://noplasticbags.blogspot.com/

In this town if you refuse plastic bags they take you out into the parking lot and burn you at the stake. I have found only one store (a local chain) that even has paper bags and you have to ask for them (I do). I really hate plastic bags. It seems that every discarded one ends up in my yard. I actually saw one at 1500 feet altitude this summer.:eek::mad::(

The grocery store I go to (King Soopers, owned by Kroger's) had these bags on sale for 99 cents each... I picked up a half dozen. They look pretty sturdy. We'll see how they hold up.

Tag says they are made from 100% recycled materials.


Kroger's here got them a couple months back.

My parents live in Ireland so I go back every year to see them. In their grocery stores you have to pay for the plastic bags now. 25c each! Now when we shop it seems everyone has their own cloth bags. I think a lot of shops in England are doing the same now as well. That might be a good idea over here. I know my local store give me a little refund when you use your own bags.

King Soopers gives you a 5 cent discount for each of your own bags you use... but 99% of the time you have to ask for it, or they won't bother.

People don't understand that those 'free' bags aren't free... it's just another cost factored into the price of everything... along with the 'free' parking, etc. ;)

They have stores (Sav A Lot) around here that don't provide you with bags at all... they'll let you have the empty boxes that groceries were shipped in, though... or you can buy bags from them at 10 or 15 cents each.

And yes... these bags are VERY strong compared to the regular grocery bags... I'm always tearing holes in the regular grocery bags... frustrating to pick one up and all your groceries go tumbling out onto the floor.

how do they mess up the environment?

Not just the environment, ask your local public works department about what happens when one lies on a street drain in the rain, or snags in the sewer and acts as a root for junk collections. Or truck drivers who've had a stray bag block the front of the radiator. Stray plastic bags make little breeding puddles for mosquitos. They're easier to carry and cheaper than paper bags, but that's about the only virtue they have. The store keeps a nickel, the customer gets a handle, and everyone else gets blocked drains and mosquitos.

Not just the environment, ask your local public works department about what happens when one lies on a street drain in the rain, or snags in the sewer and acts as a root for junk collections. Or truck drivers who've had a stray bag block the front of the radiator. Stray plastic bags make little breeding puddles for mosquitos. They're easier to carry and cheaper than paper bags, but that's about the only virtue they have. The store keeps a nickel, the customer gets a handle, and everyone else gets blocked drains and mosquitos.

Walmart has a big old box on both entrances where you can recycle their bags. I'm sure the amount of oil it takes to make those bags is about 1/100000000000000000000th the amount of oil it took to grow the food you guys are hauling home in your homemade hemp bags.

Hippies. ; )

ha

Walmart has a big old box on both entrances where you can recycle their bags. I'm sure the amount of oil it takes to make those bags is about 1/100000000000000000000th the amount of oil it took to grow the food you guys are hauling home in your homemade hemp bags.

Hippies. ; )

ha
Hemp? Who said anything about hemp? I use my panniers, which are waxed cotton. I've got a pretty strong suspicion that more oil is used from 20 years of plastic grocery bags than buying Carradice panniers every 20 years or so. Also, I seriously doubt the guys down at the local DPW (or Water Bureau in my town) are much in the way of hippies. I don't think birds and other animals who choke to death on them really know what a hippy is. I know my Golden Retriever who nearly died from trying to eat one that blew into our backyard (it had food on it) didn't know the meaning of the word. (She was a Detroit dog.)

I'd be fine with bags if they charged us the true cost per bag at the time of use instead of factoring them in with the cost of our food. I never use their bags, why should I have to help pay for yours? Besides, if people had to actually pay for them in the form of a tangible charge on their register receipt, they might be more careful about how they are disposed of.

Hemp? Who said anything about hemp? I use my panniers, which are waxed cotton. I've got a pretty strong suspicion that more oil is used from 20 years of plastic grocery bags than buying Carradice panniers every 20 years or so. Also, I seriously doubt the guys down at the local DPW (or Water Bureau in my town) are much in the way of hippies. I don't think birds and other animals who choke to death on them really know what a hippy is. I know my Golden Retriever who nearly died from trying to eat one that blew into our backyard (it had food on it) didn't know the meaning of the word. (She was a Detroit dog.)

I'd be fine with bags if they charged us the true cost per bag at the time of use instead of factoring them in with the cost of our food. I never use their bags, why should I have to help pay for yours? Besides, if people had to actually pay for them in the form of a tangible charge on their register receipt, they might be more careful about how they are disposed of.

Dude, I was joking.

BTW how much oil is wasted keeping that dog of yours alive. What is your dogs carbon footprint?

How can you justify killing the planet so your dog can pant and **** everywhere?

One of the supermarket chains here in NZ has started to charge for plastic bags, - I hope the trend continues.


http://www.reusablebags.com/news.php

http://www.abc.net.au/science/features/bags/default.htm

Dude, I was joking.

BTW how much oil is wasted keeping that dog of yours alive. What is your dogs carbon footprint?

How can you justify killing the planet so your dog can pant and **** everywhere?

In my opinion I think you are deliberately trivialising Donna's well reasoned arguement in order to disrupt this thread.

I wish I did not have to use bags at all. I have thought about taking my rubbermaid tub out of my burley flatbed and taking it right into the store with me but I think it would break when trying to pick it up and putting it back on my trailer.

Really, I would just take everything out to my bike trailer straight from my cart (no bags) but i'm afraid of having to show my reciept every time I leave the store.

...Really, I would just take everything out to my bike trailer straight from my cart (no bags) but i'm afraid of having to show my reciept every time I leave the store.
Showing a receipt at the exit isn't a big deal. Intuition tells me that if you have at least one plastic sack in the cart and a receipt in your hand, you won't even be questioned.

Sometimes you can control the sacking if you take the initiative. If the sacker hasn't arrived when the checkout starts, just reach over into the waiting pile and load the bulkiest items into your empty shopping cart, which you've cleverly pre-positioned at the sacking station. In the rare cases where the checker or sacker needs an explanation, simply say you want all the small items in one plastic bag.

Around here, it's very common for bulky items to be left unsacked. Some stores stick a decorative "Thank You" label on the biggest unsacked item to indicate you've been through checkout. Others don't bother.

People can always ask about sacking policies and stuff like that, especially if there's no one else waiting in line.

In my opinion I think you are deliberately trivialising Donna's well reasoned arguement in order to disrupt this thread.

+100 :mad:

Does it do any good to put those plastic baggies in the recycling spots at stores? I do that with perhaps 97% of my plastic bags, along with other filmy plastics.

It's funny: some decades ago everyone wanted us to stop using paper bags, to save the trees. Right now the paper bags seem like a better deal.

I just get on and pack my own cloth bags and don't particularly care what store policy might be. Call it a 'sack the sacker' policy if you like ;)

I use my panniers...

Exactly. Why need bag(s) when you've got a functional bag(s) on your bike. I've never had any problems, in any grocery store here, when I come in with one or both of my Ortliebs.

FWIW, they discount 5 cents off my bill. What does the bag actually cost to make? I have no idea if the nickel is an accurate reflection of that or not.

Because I've been car-free for quite a number of years, using my panniers only makes sense. I usually shop for groceries 3-5 times per week (I mainly eat fresh foods like veggies/produce). A couple of reasons for this is... 1) I'm usually never hauling a large quantity home, all at once. 2) I have to climb a very steep hill, if I choose to stop at my main (organic plentiful) grocery store. Though the latter is not my main concern, and actually I wouldn't have it any other way.

In fact, whenever I cycle to my friends (who takes all my composting from me), I rarely have any plastic bags around (without holes in them from heavy use) to line my panniers, in case of a yogurt container spilling it's 'black gold' inside them. But that's the beauty of Ortliebs. I just wash then out if that does happen.

Does it do any good to put those plastic baggies in the recycling spots at stores? I do that with perhaps 97% of my plastic bags, along with other filmy plastics.

These bags I just got were made from recycled grocery bags... :D

So, yes, it at least keeps them out of the dump. It does take a lot of energy to recycle the plastic, but if you don't recycle it, then they just manufacture more, using more resources and MORE energy.

Here's the company that made these bags: http://earthwisebags.com/index.html

I've also seen lots of ideas and plans out there that let you recycle the bags yourself... making a messenger bag, or if you can crochet, crochet them into a reusable bag...

I could even make bags similar to these out of them... I doubt they'd look quite as nice, though.

Using your own cloth bags at the grocery store is just the tip of the iceberg though. The food itself is often over-packaged.. so much so that, on recycle day, I am amazed at all the cardboard and glass that I have to recycle. While it's good to recycle, it would be a lot better if these products were shipped in containers that I could compost in the backyard. I've noticed that even when I shop at the health food store, the amount of clear plastic bags that I throw out is considerable. Around here, I can't recycle this plastic (contains foodstuffs...) and it comprises the bulk of the trash that is not recycled.

As far as packing my own groceries, I've taken to using the self check lanes at the local grocery store... I get to bag my stuff however I want... including dumping half (Or more) of the stuff into the bottom of the cart to be packed in my panniers outside the store. I hate the way they bag my groceries, anyway... they dump raw meat in with pre-cooked food (Can you say food poisoning?) ... potato chips in with canned goods... whatever. :mad: Who taught them how to bag, anyway? There's more to it than just cramming as much crap into one bag as you can! :fight:

I generally bring home 1 or 2 plastic bags max... 1 for raw meats (To keep any leaking blood off my panniers and other groceries) if I buy any, and one for anything I carry on the handlebars because the panniers and rack are full (Usually something like bread and chips)

Now I can reduce it to 1 bag.

The local Winn-Dixie and Wal-Mart have started selling these reusable bags. The wife came home with a bunch from WD, the first place she saw them. The next time she was going to the store, she wound up buying more.

"Where did all my shopping bags go?"

"These? They're great in the canoe, kayak or as a pannier liner. Especially after a little ScotchGuard.":D

BTW how much oil is wasted keeping that dog of yours alive. What is your dogs carbon footprint?
Zero. She's been dead for 10 years.

Zero. She's been dead for 10 years.

AND IT'S DONNA, OFF THE TOP ROPE...KER-SLAMMO!!:D

It's funny: some decades ago everyone wanted us to stop using paper bags, to save the trees. Right now the paper bags seem like a better deal.
Just like disposable vs. cloth diapers, it really depends on where you live. We're right across the river from the plant that makes our paper bags. It's obviously all around better to choose the paper in my neck of the woods. On the other hand, it's still wasteful, and it pollutes the air and water. I'd be happy if stores estimated the cost of each kind of bag and charged us accordingly. Why shouldn't we all pay fairly for these conveniences?

I've also seen lots of ideas and plans out there that let you recycle the bags yourself... making a messenger bag, or if you can crochet, crochet them into a reusable bag...
The recycling process must make them stronger somehow. I've tried crocheting a great many things out of the plastic bags, and they're just way too flimsy. It's not worth my time. The best use I could come up with is as garbage bags, and even then they develop those annoying holes.

I've got a plethora of those canvas tote bags from conferences, organizations, and the like. When I go shopping with my trailer, I use them to separate items in my Rubbermaid bin. Best of all, they were free. :)

They're great in the canoe, kayak or as a pannier liner. Especially after a little ScotchGuard.":D
Ooh, what an excellent idea....

Crocheted bag:
http://www.marloscrochetcorner.com/round%20plastic%20bag%20tote.html

Knitted:
http://www.magknits.com/May07/patterns/rrr.htm

Messenger bag:
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2007/06/make_a_messenger_bag_out_1.html

What do you guys use for garbage bags at home? I use the plastic bags I get from the grocery store. I figure it's better doing that than buying bags just to throw away. What do you think? Otherwise you use cloth grocery bags then buy plastic bags to throw away your trash. Seems like a catch 22.

I wonder if the plastic bags sequester the carbon from the oil that's used to make them. I'm thinking that the best thing to do with oil is to make it into plastic, then bury the plastic in the landfill after you use it. It should be better than burning it and releasing the carbon into the atmosphere. If it's not biodegradable, it can't contribute to climate change, can it?

Does anybody have any thoughts on this wild idea I had?

Messenger bag:
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2007/06/make_a_messenger_bag_out_1.html

Thanks for the cool link, might have to try this.

I wonder if the plastic bags sequester the carbon from the oil that's used to make them. I'm thinking that the best thing to do with oil is to make it into plastic, then bury the plastic in the landfill after you use it. It should be better than burning it and releasing the carbon into the atmosphere. If it's not biodegradable, it can't contribute to climate change, can it?

Does anybody have any thoughts on this wild idea I had?

Two problems with it... while they're not biodegradable, they do break down into particles, which find their way into the environment.

And the second (Which I just learned today) is that the plastic particles can act like sponges to absorb toxic chemicals... then, when they're ingested by animals or people they release those chemicals into the body.

Sounds like a bad idea to me. :(

Two problems with it... while they're not biodegradable, they do break down into particles, which find their way into the environment.

And the second (Which I just learned today) is that the plastic particles can act like sponges to absorb toxic chemicals... then, when they're ingested by animals or people they release those chemicals into the body.

Sounds like a bad idea to me. :(

I just read an article about all the plastic that degrades into small particles and eventually end ups in the ocean. The article stated that there are mats of this plastic floating around that are the size of Montana. It also mentioned how it does soak up many toxins. The article had photos of dead rotting birds that were filled with plastic.

I just read an article about all the plastic that degrades into small particles and eventually end ups in the ocean. The article stated that there are mats of this plastic floating around that are the size of Montana. It also mentioned how it does soak up many toxins. The article had photos of dead rotting birds that were filled with plastic.

Where are these huge plastic mats? How does the plastic get into the ocean? What if it was buried in places like the Great Basin (Utah & Nevada) that don't even drain into the ocean? What if it was buried in an adequate landfill?

Do a little research. It's not hard to find.

Here I'll help you.

http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ocean/Trashing-Oceans-Plastic4nov02.htm

Where did you guys learn this....from greenpeace or some other wacko organization.

You might as well consult peta on the value of biomedical research.

Bam!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6218698.stm

Yeah the BBC is just like Peta.

Do a little research. It's not hard to find.

I googled "huge plastic mats the size of montana" (http://www.google.com/search?q=huge+plastic+mats+the+size+of+montana&ie=UTF-8) and didn't come up with much. You brought it up, you provide the research.

Oh sorry wrong state.

There is more than one "garbage patch" the size of Texas that is nearly covered with floating plastic. In Moore’s own words, "It seemed unbelievable, but I never found a clear spot. In the week it took to cross the subtropical high, no matter what time of day I looked, plastic debris was floating everywhere: bottles, bottle caps, wrappers, fragments."[


http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ocean/Sea-Plastic-LN-PG5oct05.htm

How do ya like those apples.

Here I'll help you.

http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ocean/Trashing-Oceans-Plastic4nov02.htm

Thank you. I retract my previous snide comment. :)

Oh sorry wrong state.

There is more than one "garbage patch" the size of Texas that is nearly covered with floating plastic. In Moore’s own words, "It seemed unbelievable, but I never found a clear spot. In the week it took to cross the subtropical high, no matter what time of day I looked, plastic debris was floating everywhere: bottles, bottle caps, wrappers, fragments."[


http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ocean/Sea-Plastic-LN-PG5oct05.htm

How do ya like those apples.

Floating plastic does appear to be a serious problem in the oceans, but the source doesn't seem to be landfills or litter from land. According to your article:

Most plastic bags end up in landfills, part of the millions of tons of plastic garbage Americans dump each year. But whether jettisoned illegally by ships at sea, washed out from land during storms, or, as in the case of the chalupa bags, accidentally lost overboard from containerships, countless tons of plastic refuse end up drifting on the high seas.This doesn't support the argument against plastic shopping bags.