I am.
I started using reusable bags approximately four years ago. Casually at first, then more frequently until I used them more often than not. Until last year I’d have to put them in the front seat of my car because if I went to anywhere other than the grocery store, remembering to bring in reusable bags was hit-or-miss for me. I still get funny looks when I bring them into Walgreens or Rite Aid, but no longer at Target or CVS since they each started a bag credit program. (Target 5¢ per bag, CVS the tags.)
But what makes me a reusable bag junkie is my extensive collection. I laughed to hubby that I should stop buying a bag at every grocery store chain we visit. His response was something along the lines that he’d rather have me collect 99¢ bags than “sparkly things”.
I have discovered that all bags are not created equal. First the grocery store bags seem to have gone down in durability and thickness over the years. The bags I have from Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Sun Flower Markets are exponentially better in quality than any of my grocery store bags. The independent grocery stores are generally a higher quality than the chain grocers too.
One drawback to faithfully using reusable bags is we have run out of plastic bags! We used to bring them in by the gross to be recycled just two years ago! Now, I have four because I knew we were out and did not bring them in to Rite Aid last week.
And can anyone tell me where I can buy a hundred-pack of the removable flat bottoms that come inside the bags when you purchase them? I think I’m down to five. Where the heck do they all go!?
So how about it? Are you a reusable bag junkie? Or do you prefer paper or plastic?
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I am in the same boat almost. I have 12 bags I use. My favorite are the ones I have gotten at Old Navy for free during their Stuff and Save Sale. They are the most durable and decorated nicely. The handles are even reinforced with metal rings so they will never rip. My Aldi big bags are good too. Those bags have been through a lot. I like the one I received from Red Gold also. Hubby is even using them now. I still have plastic I recycle because hubby forgets to take them and I do sometimes.
Rhonda
I do not use reusable bags often. I just forget about them. But I read the other day a great tip on replacing the bottoms that come inside the bags with empty cereal boxes cut to size!
Although I don’t use the re-usable bags-I was wondering if you could fabricate your own ‘bottoms’ from corrugated cardboard or even the cardboard from Pepsi 12 Pk boxes?
Only the worst of the ripped plastic grogery bags go to recycle in my house! I LOVE plastic grocery bags for all sorts of stinky and smelly jobs that need to be contained ‘on site’. Mostly because I have cats and use scoopable litter-I seem to always run OUT of them.
I’ve been a reuseable bag junkie for 14 years. I got my first bag at Albertson’s and I still use it! Back then you couldn’t get tote bags at every store, so I donated to charities I liked that gave a “free” tote with contribution. I still have and use some of them! They go with me everywhere–craft stores, drug stores, grocery stores, big box stores, Kohls, etc. If I am going to a clothing store, I bring my HUGE Macy’s mesh bag that was given to me for Christmas a few years ago. If for some strange reason (two screaming toddlers) I forget my bags, I go without and just load my items back in the cart and then straight into the car and that’s when I get the weirdest looks.
Having said all that plastic bags STILL make it into my home and we put them to good use.
I remember to use reusable bags about half the time. Some are definitely better than others. My Red Gold bag is awesome! I use plastic bags for small garbage can liners. They fit perfect. I also like (and reuse) my Marsh paper bags b/c of the handles. They are very sturdy and easy to carry up 3 flights of stairs.
I only remember 1/2 the time as well. And we get paid 5 cents at S&S for each bag and I still forget!
I always end up taking a lot of bags to recycle as well. But we also use up a lot of bags for garbage and such.
I have a pink Tops one that is my favorite, it’s just girly. I also have a Earth Day 2009 one that has a green tree that is the same shade as the CVS bag tag, which makes me happy. And I almost always use my Target bag at Target. I have a rather small collection because I’m too much of a tightwad to buy any more!
I use all three kinds of bags. I am addicted to the reusables almost as much as coupons. I use them most of the time and keep them in the trunk so they are always with me. I have many sizes, in lots of colors, from all different places, made with various materials. I use the different colors to color-code what I bought. For example, I use blue for frozen/refrigerated stuff in case I have to run in and only bring in one armload due to a toddler meltdown. I can spot the blue ones and bring them in to get those items in the freezer/fridge ASAP.
I use paper bags for my paper recycling. I just throw it in the recycle bin, bag and all. I use the plastic ones for the bathroom trash can and for wrapping disposable diapers. Soon to be done with that, I hope! I only keep enough paper and plastic bags around that I need. When I run out of them, I “forget” to bring in my bags so I can get some more!
I have quite a few bags, mostly I got those for free from various promotions, either mailed to me or given at the store. I like getting 5 cents for each bag I bring at many stores and I also have CVS tag. At those stores that do not pay me for bringing my own bags I opt for paper bags because I use them to put newspapers and other recyclable paper into. I agree that the Whole Foods bags are most definitely very durable and they look nice too. Interestingly enough Trader Joe’s does not pay 5 cents for your own bags while Whole Foods does.
Love the ideas and comments. Schnucks (Midwest) have a great insulated blue bag that I like a lot.(1.50). Also ToysRUs haa a cute selection. I’ve used nice, reusable bags as gift bags and they are enjoyed by the recipients! Bottoms of bags: I like them to be easy to wipe off.:)
Love the idea of using them as gift bags – much better way to spend your money than on a paper gift bag that may or may not get used again.
I LOVE my Whole Foods bags, nothing can compare to their quality!!! I use my bags for EVERYTHING! If I forget I just put everything in the cart and take it out to the car and load up my bags out there. If I get low on plastic bags, use to collect dog poo in the yard, I just ask for some when I am at the grocery store.
I’ve been saving my husband work shirts to make my own bags he work for a city so he goes through alot of shirts and looking at the bags I have got for free and thought I would cut out a soda box to the size and lamuntied them I have a machine or take the to staple to be lamanuntied so you can wipe them off to clean them.
I’m obssessed in collecting reusable bags for years, from Baggu, Envirosax to stores like Target, Trader Joe’s.(Don’t know how I missed Whole Foods, must check theirs out.) Qualities are vary from stores, grocery store ones are usually less durable. I like Rachel’s idea of color code!
Sure wish we had a Whole Foods store close by! For bags and selection..
Love love love the Whole Foods bags! If you live on the second floor (or higher) they are so much better for carrying your groceries. You can fit several plastic bags worth of groceries into one of those!