Anyone using reusable grocery totes?

[Marge]

We decided we should maybe start utilizing reusable grocery totes (we're way behind on being even a little "green-oriented") and I was amazed how many companies have them...and how many types are out there (many made from recycled materials and recyclable as constructed). Not expensive either. Curious if anyone here has some insight/recommendations.

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[Theold--scottyb]

Dont use paper grocery bags. they are a feeding ground for cockroaches. Stick to plastic. Unless your talking about the clothe ones?

[HS345]

Yeah, I use the reusable bags. I get the plastic ones, and reuse them in my truck for a trash bag. :D

Seriously, I don't have experience with the reusable totes, there are some nice ones from what I understand.

When the plastic grocery bags build to critical mass, which they have a tendency to do, I return them to Wal-Mart, they have a recycling bin at the store. At least that helps a little, from a green standpoint. :)

[tilerite]

I always keep some grocery bags in my car so when I go shopping, I have some with me. Eventually, I'll purchase some totes.

[Eric Philson]

Grocery totes and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy. :sheep: Sorry, but the green thing is a bit like a fairy tale to me. Sounds darling, but ...... :rolleyes: For the record though, my wife uses cloth grocery totes, because our grocery store charges for bags. Good way to save on consumption IMO.

[Marge]

Wellllllll, that was all sorta helpful...maybe...NOT! :D

After being lectured (kindly) by a dear friend about recycling, I was surprised to learn paper bags are worse than the plastic bags? :scratch:

In any case, I hate having 8 little bags of wiggly, falling out of the bag groceries...and found out 3 totes can accommodate the same amount. So we have decided to get four totes for each car (if we can figure out what kind) so we can shop whenever. Wine bottles don't do well in plastic bags ya know. ;)

[Mountain Tile]

We have to take our recycleables to stations with proper bins, the plastic bags are good to put the recycles in then we put the bags in the bin, but they do pile up.

[jgleason]

Hi Marge,

The grocery store chain we frequent has offered reusable totes for awhile at a very reasonable price. The totes we use are about the size of a traditional brown paper bag but since they have handles they are really easy to carry. The ones we have are cloth. (you can get wine totes as well). :D

[Marge]

you can get wine totes as well

I knew I could count on you Joe. :yeah:

I was wondering between the benefits of the cloth (hemp?) type bags or the poly-something-or-other recycled/recylable. Thinking the poly might be good from the point of being able to keep clean and all....in case that wine bottle breaks or something.... :rolleyes:

[ceramictec]

I take my wheel barrel I use for mud........that is, after I clean it out.

[Westie]

We've been using reuseable bags for years. Alot of them are given out at trade shows.

[muskymike]

My wife uses them for time to time. She started out with a bag I got from Coverings last year. Now she has two from the store.

[pitterpat]

We have some from Costco; my partner got them there. I have one in my car and she has 2 in hers. They are some type of heavy Tyvek type plastic and hold a lot. They also have 2 sets of handles (long & short). I think they work pretty well.

Come on Marge, get with the program :tongue:
Pat

[RedRockTile]

Aren't the plastic bags resuable too? Just not as durable and they cost less.

Keep a handful in my truck, fishing bag and hunting bag - for all kinds of outdoor purposes. :)

I have used them with sheetrock mud for applying texture to walls. And for faux finishing with paint.

My daughter cut them up into strips and crocheted some cool looking beach bags.

[dgunnels]

I have a large bag from Ikea. They also charge for regular bags so I've had this one for a few years. I use it for groceries and other stuff when I can remember. I'll never forget when I started using it. Back then folks around here had never heard of the concept. I picked it up a few years ago in Germany. Once, I told the clerk to put the items in my bag and handed it to her. She still put them in a plastic sack. I then placed the items in my reusable bag and handed her back the plastic bag to use for the next customer...she threw it in the trash. :uhh:

Recycling here in the boonies isn't exactly wide spread or easy but I do what I can. If I do bring some plastic bags home they get used as trash can liners. Not exactly 'Martha Stewart' but functional.

[MudMaker]

No

[kate42]

Yes.

[ckl111]

Yes, and I tell the clerk to skip bagging if it's only a few items.

[sdaniels7114]

IMO, the problem with plastic bags isn't the bags, its the baggers. I find that when I bring 18 items through the checkout I end up with 18 bags, sometimes more. I've noticed this weird tendency to put eggs in a bag, wrap the bag around the eggs and then put the whole thing in another bag and then leave it separate from all the other groceries, not even adding bread or maybe a roll of paper towels to this wasteful egg protection system. The dynamic at work is similar to fast food places, where you get either no ketchups or 47 ketchups.

[Marge]

Steve that always bugged me too, so I started bagging my own stuff.

Well, you have all convinced me. I ordered some totes this morning..a set for each car. Thanks for the input. :)

[kate42]

Steve that always bugged me too, so I started bagging my own stuff.

I have bagged my stuff for a very long time.


I do use my own totes. However my big problem is remembering to put them back in my car after I empty them. :)

[lou432]

Nope not me!!! :tongue: I don`t need no stinkin bags!!!!!! I consume all my food as I shop :lol1: it cuts down on bags 100% & if I eat it all before check out it cost me $0 :D
But I always buy a local news paper which I read & recycle :yipee:

But seriously, My girlfriend does most all of the food shopping & has used totes for years!

[flatfloor]

We use the burlap bags from the mule's oats. :)

[JTG]

I need the paper bags to put in the garbage can under the sink. :)

[Scooter]

Nope. Our town recycles the flimsy plastic bags.

[muskymike]

We used one tonight. Our store gives you 5 cents off if you use the bag. You hafta buy the bag for 99 cents. So you hafta use it at least 20 times to break even. :deal: :rolleyes:

[ddmoit]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3508263.ece

Scientists and environmentalists have attacked a global campaign to ban plastic bags which they say is based on flawed science and exaggerated claims.

[Scooter]

That may be true, but....

Paper breaks down waaaay faster than plastic. Hours instead of months.

Plastic is so light, it is a litter eysore while the months go by waiting for it to break down.

The stuff sucks, and should be either banned or recycled.

[HS345]

The stuff sucks, and should be either banned or recycled.

You mean like incandescent lightbulbs? :yeah:

[caroleg]

I bought about 6 canvas ecobags (ecobags.com) last year. I like them because they have a flat bottom and hold a whole lot more than the plastic grocery bags. I found the best price at their own website, they're around $7 each.

[Scooter]

You mean like incandescent lightbulbs We've switched out most of the regular bulbs for compact flourescents. I guess you're not informed enough to realize they will save you huge amounts of money and time. I don't suspect there will be a forced ban, but people are stupid not to use them where they can.

As for the bags, when we shop, we might buy a couple dozen bags worth on a large run, and to date, have not invested in 20-30 of those cloth bags. However, a hemp bag might appeal to me. :loaded:

[HS345]

We've switched out most of the regular bulbs for compact flourescents. I guess you're not informed enough to realize they will save you huge amounts of money and time. I don't suspect there will be a forced ban, but people are stupid not to use them where they can.
Wrongo Scooter, I have been using CF's for about 14 years. How long have you been using them? Actually though, while they may save energy, they are far from environmentally friendly, they contain, GASP, mercury.
Sorry about the hijack Marge.

[Westie]

Great bags and cheap too.

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=1&p=55723&cat=2,44457

[Scooter]

Glad to see you've been lowering your carbon footprint. Al Gore would be proud of you, Greg. As a matter of fact, I'm a gonna nominate you to be a member of the "Little Lebowski's Urban Achievers" And proud we are of all of them.

[Marge]

The ones I ordered are these:

http://cymabagsonline.com/Reusable-Grocery-Tote-w-2-Corner/M/B0013FI2II.htm

I liked the foldable corners that could store bottles or retain the "full bag" look. Probably won't use the full bag look very often. :yeah:

And gentlemen, please don't take this sincere thread into the darkness of politics...y'all know I can't be seen in a political thread. :D

[HS345]

Gentlemen? Boy, you sure use that term loosely, don'tcha Marge? :D

What color of totes didja git? Them purdy lime green ones? :)

Man, that lime green text is rough on the eyes. Isn't it? :crazy:

[Marge]

Yep, I ordered lime for me but was kind to Wiley...he got oatmeal. :)

[kate42]

but was kind to Wiley...he got oatmeal

Oatmeal??? :sick:

Oh how I hate oatmeal, in any form. :sick:


Just ask my Father. :)