Don’t Leave Home Without Them

“I think, on a personal level, everybody, when you go through the checkout line after you get your groceries and they say, “Paper or plastic?” we should be saying “neither one.” We should have our own cloth bags.”

Woody Harrelson

My journey to reduce plastic consumption began with reusable grocery bags. Fuchsia pink and coral orange patterned bags were my first purchase. Soft and pliable, they easily tucked into the pockets of my purse. Arriving at the check out stand of the local market, I pulled them out and asked the clerk to fill them as full as possible. I cheerfully shared my hope of avoiding overflow requiring the use of plastic or paper bags.

Initially, I admit I was timid about asking, especially as I witnessed them start packing my products into plastic bags without asking. Over time, my comfort level grew and I placed my bags on the conveyor belt before I added any groceries. A feeling of “doing the right thing” filled me and stayed throughout my drive home.

As I unpacked my items, I noticed the bags were wet. The frozen foods and cold dairy items had perspired in the warmer air, leaving condensation on everything inside.

Hmm…

My second purchase included the stiff, vinyl sided bags, printed with still lifes of veggies and fruits. They proudly stood tall without collapsing into a heap. Stepping up on the front line, they managed the chilly contents with a solid can-do spirit!

But I wasn’t free from plastic yet. Inside my reuseable bags, I still had several clear plastic bags filled with veggies, fruits and bulk items.

Hmm…

Small, cotton, draw string bags hold dry, bulk items such as nuts, rice, beans and seeds. White, washable mesh bags carry the fruits and produce. Mason jars come off the sidelines of the pantry to store the steel cut rolled oats, flour and various spices. Upon entering the store, I asked the clerk to weigh the jar. Writing the weight with a sharpie on the lid allows the checkers to deduct the weight of the jar from the total weight on the scale. Lastly, I recruited my old, green, net bags from my sock drawer. Although they appear small, they magically stretch to hold any number of bulky items like paper towels and bathroom rolls.

I introduce my shopping team! Whether we travel to the grocery, hardware, or bookstore…we are prepared to say “no thank you” to plastic bags.

Everyday, a small step in fighting the good fight!