Reusable Bags or Plastic Bags?
By emgee595
@emgee595 (335)
Philippines
October 2, 2010 10:14am CST
Lately news about the use of reusable bags in groceries are being promoted and pushed as one of the "environmental protection-recycling-save the mother earth-go green and environment friendly" activities of Malls and departments stores. I myself have some reusable bags which I bring (If I can remember about them hehehe) when I am off to buy some groceries. So far in my favorite grocery store they have no plastic bags on Wednesdays, hence, only paper bags and boxes are used when you buy your groceries on that day. From what I've seen on the news, they will be selling plastic bags on Wednesdays if you want to use them. I think these are worthy causes which consumers like us can very well support. The only drawback I've experienced so far is that there times when I forget to bring my reusable bags. I don't have a fixed day for buying groceries so now I'm planning to make a fixed schedule for my "grocery day" so that I can support this program. How about you? Do you also have the same program practiced by your local groceries/department store? Are you keen on supporting such programs? Do you have something in opposition to these kind of program? Do you still prefer to use plastic bags? Feel free to post your reactions, opinions and comment on this issue. Thanks much! Have a good day and happy myLotting everyone! :D
5 people like this
10 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
2 Oct 10
To my knowledge there is not a program like this for our grocery stores. Of course you can buy reuseable bags. I know a few years ago when I was working at a grocery store, you'd get a few cent discount if you brought your own bags but I don't think every store does this. I think that if more stores did have the discount if you brought your own bags (ours was like only five cents) then more people would want to bring their own bags thus saving the environment.
1 person likes this
@nicolecheezy (177)
• Philippines
3 Oct 10
i already do recycle plastic bags at home.because it is very expensive to buy garbage bag at the supermarket.so it is practical to use plastic bags specially grocery bags.i have collected alot already and stored it below the sink where it is near the garbage bin.i didnt expect the government has to remind everybody not to be wasteful and made some programs.i think it doesnt take alot of intelligence to use those platic bags since buying from the store is not sustainable in the long run.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
3 Oct 10
Hi Emgee,
I have been using those reusable bags for about a year or so now. I have quite a collection of them because like you, I sometimes forget to grab them when I go out. When I forgot them, I'd just buy a couple more at the counter. I almost never get those plastic bags anymore. I've gotten pretty good about making sure I have a few bags left in the car so I have them with me at all times. I haven't heard of any local programs like what you described here.
@xiaohunmeihua (209)
• China
3 Oct 10
Yeah it is also true by my local store. Now when we want to do some shopping,we have to prepare for a bag before hand. I understand the policy though it does bring inconvenience to us because the environment is becoming even worse,but I do not think it is appropriate to let the store charge for the fee of plastic bags.As far as I know,policy forbid the usage of thin plastic bags, now although the store charge for it,I can not see the obvious change of the plastic bags, that is to say, though the policy is good, it just give the store another way to make money. So I think scientists should try to find other material and make it practical,so it will be both environment-friendly and convenient.
@pinoycity (575)
• Philippines
3 Oct 10
Re-usable bags. It is time to help our environment now. Tomorrow will be too late.
@GardenGerty (160708)
• United States
2 Oct 10
One store I shop at offers a reward of 5 cents for each bag you bring of your own. I also have a hard time remembering to bring my bags. Lately, after I shop, I immediately take the bags back out to the car so that they are there. One thing, recently,it was said that you need to wash or sanitize your bags with a spray or something, because bacteria, like from raw meat, will live and grow in the fibers. Most of my bags are canvas and are washable. I prefer not to have the plastic bags, personally, but I support the right to choose.
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
3 Oct 10
Hi,
Yes..nowadays most supermarket are adopting environment friendly
case, at my town here,every monday,there will be no plastic bag if
you were to shop in the supermarket,it means I have to bring my
own bag to keep all the things I buy on MONDAY.
That is make me to avoid doing my grocery shopping on Monday,because
i always forget to bring along my reusable bag with me.
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
3 Oct 10
Yes, we do have the same policy here. In the early stages, only the first Wednesday of the month, customers have to bring their own bags if they are shopping in local supermarkets. But a few months back, they changed the policy into every Wednesday. It's a good move by them because it's saving the earth. Take ikea for example, they are stopping the usage of plastic bags. If we need any plastic bags for our purchases, we have to pay for it. Even in Thailand now, some shops are practising the same thing, there will be slight discount if we have our own bags.
@anand3friend (217)
• India
3 Oct 10
Hi friend. I am Sandeep Anand from India. It is also a big discussion here in current scenario. But according to me, no one is giving importance to that. So Government is fail to stop using plastic bags.
We know that its not good for our health & for environment too. Its the responsibility of us as youth of world to start doing something to stop it.
Lets have some ideas on it to stop its usage.
