Jun
30
2007
30
2007
Green Notes: Bags, Teeth, and being Earth-Friendly
Filed under: Green Notes, Activism, Green Living
A few things that have been on my little “eco-mind”:
Radius Toothbrush
I recently bought a Radius toothbrush with a replaceable head. It’s not only super comfy to brush with and easy to hold, it’s earth-friendly! I love the handle. I also like that they are a company that thinks about environmental issues.
Bag Lady
I was recently in Best Buy and as I was checking out, the cashier put one ONE TINY item into a big plastic bag. I immediately said “Oh…I’ll just carry that without the bag…thanks!”. We completed the transaction and left the store. Matt turned to me after we left and said, “she just threw that bag in the trash!”. Hmmmmmm. I have seen this happen more than one time, not just in Best Buy. Maybe they have a policy that says bags can only be pulled out for use one time? It’s a little maddening. Perhaps I should have said “no thanks, you can save that for the next customer”. Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon?
Earth-Friendly
There was recently an article in the Des Moines register that talked about how you could throw a more earth-friendly party. They recommended using recycled paper plates and biodegradable plastic utensils. While this is a BETTER option…why use disposables at all? Summer is party-time…a great way to make a difference is to avoid all of the disposable party goods. Your trash can will thank you for it.
GREEN!
There has been such a HUGE focus on “green” this and “green” that in the media. While it can get a little overwhelming sometimes, I do think it’s a good thing. Even though it’s turning “trendy”…it’s increasing awareness, and that can only be a good thing. So the next time you get sick of hearing about Wal-Mart being “green”…just think about all of the minds being opening…even if it’s just a little bit.
Wheeeee! Have a great weekend!
Posted by Sara @ 10:17 am | Leave a Comment
Sara
Daughter of the Almighty. Wife. Mama. Sister. Friend. Traveler. Photographer. Designer. Tea drinker. Reader. Knowledge seeker. Google lover. Kitchen dweller. Dreamer. Leader. Homebirther. Breastfeeder. Homeschooler. Lover of life.
30
2007
Wow, I’ve done that numerous times, told them “no thanks, I don’t need a bag.” I’ve never even checked if they just threw it away! Kinda defeats the purpose!
30
2007
Haven’t really had a problem with the bag thing that way. I usually try and tell them I don’t need a bag and actually a lot of times they will ask….weird hunh? Last night though I was very frustrated when doing our grocery shopping at WalMart. It was crowded and apparently I wasn’t loading stuff into my cloth bag fast enough and she started putting stuff into a plastic bag. It was near the end and she only did one before I noticed what she was doing….err…..
I know a lot of people have strong feelings about W-Mart and probably don’t even shop there. I guess my feeling is in trying to be a SAH-homeschooling-M to our two kids we need to live on a budget. We try and doing a lot of our buying locally and at the local health stores, however that can be costly. In order to be able to buy what we do there we supplement at W-Mart and Sam’s Club. I don’t know why I’m going on about this other than that I’m sure some people may go…>> “Walmart? Chuh… and she calls herself green?!” One thing that does drive me crazy is why doesn’t Walmart and other larger retailers (especially grocery ones) offer cloth bags do purchase and a small incentive. For example our local chain (Hannaford Bros.) sell them for $1.50 each and you get a 5 cent bag credit for each one (theirs or any) that you use.Is there a know reason why the larger retailers don’t?
OK… didn’t mean to make this commment so long. Guess I’m just feeling wordy today.
30
2007
At our Staples, they automatically load items into a bag as you are checking out. When I told the guy I didn’t need the bag, he threw it away & I fussed at him about it. I think he thought I was nuts. Now I just tell people I don’t need a bag before they scan the first item. That way, it never goes into a bag in the first place. I keep my Chico bags in my purse, so I can bag my own stuff at places like that. Sometimes the checker seems a little annoyed, but maybe it makes them think, too. Hopefully, anyway!
Jen (who LOVES her Radius toothbrush!)
30
2007
I love my recycline toothbrushes. I buy them at the store, and when I’m done with them, I request a postage paid envelope from Recycline, mail the used toothbrushes back to them and they turn them into park benches etc.
As far as the bagging thing goes… I try to be fast so my stuff never goes into a bag. This reminds me - I was disappointed with Target yesterday. I was shopping for a wedding gift off a registry. I had viewed it online and knew exactly what I wanted, but in order for them to know which registry I was buying it from, I still had to print out the whole thing.
30
2007
I have to say, Sara, that you have really inspired me this year. I love to read your blog and how you incorporate Earth-friendly ideas into your everyday living. I have always been put-off by the enviromentalist movement, but you present it in a totally different way. Thanks so much for that!
30
2007
I try to tell them as I lay the merchandise down on the counter. That way, they don’t even open the bag at all.
I think a lot of cashiers find it easier to just pull a new bag, rather than try to put the old bag back on the rack, and most retail businesses don’t let you put used bags (or anything) on the counter.
Jess - one of our local grocery stores (Tait’s) used to offer an incentive if you brought your own bags (cloth or just reuse their plastic one) but they closed a number of years ago. I am frankly kind of annoyed at most of our grocery stores in Des Moines. No double coupon days, no reuse your bag incentives, nothing. Maybe we should start an email campaign for HyVee or something. (Except all HyVees are owned independently, and each makes up their own mind about things like that, so we’d have to attack each one individually.)
30
2007
At all the grocery stores in my town they do take off 5 cents for every bag you bring in. The Hyvee in town sells canvas bags and takes the 5 cents off. Even though they do offer these incentives I still get weird looks when I have my canvas bags.
30
2007
about the bags…whenever I just have a couple of things I try to catch it as soon as possible, before they put anything in the bag. I think the problem is, the bags are usually rigged up on fancy contraptions that make them easier to load, and when a bag has already been removed, it won’t go back on there (at least not easily). so it’s easier for them to just throw it away than to take the time/effort to mess with reusing it–especially, I imagine, if the next customer has a huge load of purchases. so, I think the only way to avoid this is to really be alert and tell them before they even get the first item in the bag.
30
2007
When I first started using cloth bags I almost felt embarrassed about it, and I wouldn’t really speak up - and so many times when I did speak up people just looked at me like I was crazy!
I finally got in my “rhythm” to always say “I dont need a bag” as I set my things on the counter - because whenever I’d say “I have my own bag” they didn’t understand/hear me right - I had one cashier I said it to 3 times and each time she’s “smile” pleasantly and continue and then she put it ALL in a bag - so I had to literally shake my cloth bag in front of her telling her what I meant.
And I had someone at Target throw away the bag too - after I’d said I had my own and they didn’t listen - I was appalled.
That’s why I do like self-checkout the best. Or bag your own groceries.
But that’s another reason why I just like to shop at my local organic store because they don’t think I’m crazy and give me an incentive for bringing my own bag.
30
2007
My favorite is when they try to put everything in the plastic sacks and THEN put them in my cloth bags. This has happened to me more than once while tending to my toddler.
30
2007
Hi Sara,
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now and I really enjoy it. Although I’ve been interested for years, I’m kind of new to the “green” thing. You raised a subject that has been my biggest obstacle. While I do like the idea of cutting down on trash and therefore never use paper plates, use rags for cleaning, etc. I still don’t use cloth bags at the grocery store. I reuse the plastic ones for many things such as trash bags. Why is that bad? Also, do you know of environmentally safe DETERGENT? I started thinking recently that if I wash re-usable things it may be just as bad as using disposable things — just for the water instead of the land!
30
2007
Hi Nichole…
I like to avoid getting the plastic bags at stores because of the processing to make them, and for what they do to the environment (trash, hurting animals, etc). But you do raise a good question. And that is…WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT TRASH BAGS!? I get that question a lot and there just isn’t an easy answer…except just making the best choice. For me, the best choice is using biodegradable bags. They aren’t perfect, but they are better than regular bags. I’d love to hear other’s ideas about this.
Also, for detergent…there are lots of great biodegradable/earth friendly detergents out there. Try Biokleen or 7th Generation…I’m sure others can help in this area as well.
1
2007
I put my cloth bags on the counter right away and say, “I don’t need a bag” before they start ringing it up. Still, they sometimes reach for the plastic bags out of habit.
As for garbage bags, we also buy “biodegradable” ones when possible, but the sad truth is that in most modern landfills, this stuff will never degrade, because it is compressed and not exposed to oxygen. That’s why it is important to produce as little garbage as possible.
1
2007
the same thing happened to me at fred meyer a few years ago. i was in such shock that the cashier threw in clean, unused bag in the trash that i couldn’t think of anything to say. now i try to tell them up front - and i’ve noticed that many stores ask you first (hooray!)
i’m in need of some cloth shopping bags though. which ones do you recommend? thanks!
1
2007
Laurie…thanks for making that point about just REDUCING garbage. I think that is such an important thing to remember…especially with recycling. Just because we CAN recycle something…it’s always better just not to buy it in the first place (i.e. disposable plastic bottles of water).
Sandra…thrift stores have GREAT cloth shopping bags. They are usually $1 or less. Every convention that comes to town has a tote bag and after it’s over, no one wants them anymore. You can also call screenprinting companies and see if they have any “rejects” or extras from those events.
I LOVE my string bags and have used them for years. They were worth spending the extra $$. I got mine at www.reusablebags.com It seems that more and more natural grocery stores are selling them by the registers as well.
2
2007
I work in a retail store. I don’t mind at all if people bring in there bags or don’t want a bag at all but they need to let you know this up front before beginning your transaction. If you have already bagged stuff in the plastic and pulled it off the rack it is a pain to use the bag again. I do have a pile that I use if there is not a line and I am not rushed. I don’t throw them away but I know some people do because it makes things more difficult. I get frustrated too when I see people do this and even more frustrated at the amount of bags used every day in the store. I do stuff as much as I can in one bag in hopes that I do help a little.
2
2007
I just converted to cloth bags this year and HAVE noticed the same thing. Cashiers will start bagging out of habit even though I tell them we brought our own. They then wad up the bags and TOSS them. I married into a family in the restuarant business and “food and paper” costs are the bottom line of making money. The last thing they want to be doing from a money making stand point is wasting money on take out containers and bags. They have trained their employees not to put a thousand napkins in a bag or a a bunch of stuff the customer didn’t ask for or need.
Also I’m glad you brought up the reuse before recycle option. I purchased a really cute picnic set that I have used over and over for picnics and B-B-Q’s with friends. I feel better not having a mound of trash to throw away at the end of the day:)
2
2007
Interesting about the bag being thrown away. There are several stores I go to that encourage cloth bags, and I always mine there. But other stores, the more big-box variety, intimidate me. You’ve encouraged me to start taking my totes there as well.
I’ve always wondered about them thowing away a bag once they pull it off the stack. I’m going to start mentioning “no bag, please” before they reach for it!
3
2007
I also have some weird reactions to bringing my own bags, but that is getting to be less and less. Good thing!
When the checkers do try to throw away a plastic bag, I say “Wait, save a plastic tree!”
5
2007
Target always throws the bag away if they pull it out before I remember to give them my cloth bags. It makes me crazy and a little sad. It always seems to be such a production when I bring my bags that it makes me realize how few people actually do it.
5
2007
I always put my cloth bags on the counter before the groceries, or, in the store where they unload the cart for you, on top of them. That way, they can’t get to the groceries before they get to the bags. They HAVE to see the bags first. Unavoidable, really.
I’ve noticed that checkers try to give me as many plastic bags as humanly possible. Once, a checker put almost everything in separate bags. I kid you not. I hate plastic bags!
I use Charlie’s Soap. It’s a powder detergent, it’s okay to use in HE washers, and it dissolves in cold water. I love it. (Though I do want to try making my own powdered detergent.) I used Seventh Generation, and it was fine, but you can’t beat Charlie’s for minimal packaging, and the space it takes up is very small (important in a smallish house).
6
2007
Maybe a little off topic, but recently I have converted over to mama pads. I love them and am glad that I’m not using disposable pads regularly. It reduces trash and during that time of the month my bathroom doesn’t have that telltale smell (sorry if TMI).
9
2007
Thanks for taking the time to answer, Sara. So let me see if I understand, the idea is more to use less plastic so less is produced? If I understand correctly, there’s not much you can do with trash once it’s trash — even biodegradable bags (which I didn’t know existed until now!) aren’t good the for environment?
I also read that even biodegradable soaps take a long time to break down which keeps me in debate about what’s the lesser of evils. I wish I had some studies to provide me with numbers about impact of washing or disposing on the environment –
11
2007
Over the last few years the big chain supermarkets in New Zealand have converted to reusable bags. We can buy them for only $1 each and it’s no hassle to use them. It started out with stores charging 10 cents for each plastic bag so we would reuse them or not use them at all and they progressed to the reusable bags. We’re moving to the States next week and I really enjoyed this post, along with all the comments! Very insightful because I’m taking all my bags with me!
26
2007
okay, so on the radius toothbrush… who loves it and why?? where can you get it cheaper and would anyone want to go in on a “set” with me??
and on the bag topic… I try to take my own whenever possible, but they are bulky and such, so I am looking forward to getting the ones that fold up into your purse!! who has the envirosax?? I want those in flora!!
29
2007
Here in Ireland, we’ve had a plastic bag tax for a good few years now. It’s only 15c per bag but it has really stopped people taking them. Our supermarkets do heavy duty “bags for life” which are about 1 euro, they’re still plastic but very strong so you wouldn’t throw them out, when they wear out, you bring them back for a replacement. You still have to pay the tax on these bags. Whenever it rains nearly everyone will pull one of these bags out of their pocket or handbag, it’s funny to see. You can get cloth bags almost everywhere too, all with company logos on them, they don’t miss a chance! It took the bag tax to change the habits of the majority of people, but it’s good to see, everyone now has the refrain “do you have the bags?” when heading off to do the groceries! This is a great site by the way!
1
2007
i finally got fed up enough with the 20 plastic bags i came home with from the supermarket every week, that i decided to design my own grocery tote and now have an online store. they’re very stylish and 100% cotton and made in the USA unlike the rest of the so-called “eco-friendly” totes. check them out at www.minusbags.com The online store will be up and running by end of august. they sell for $16. let me know what you think.
2
2007
If I am not quick enough and my things end up in a bag I don’t need, I usually say something like, “I’ll give the bag back as long as you can use it again.” I’ve had good response to that, but if they said that they have to throw it away, then I would take it and re-something it (usually reuse…then recycle)
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