Borrow and Return Bags
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342285)
Rockingham, Australia
February 2, 2017 7:29am CST
We have a number of canvas type bags which are a handy size for transporting our shopping in. Occasionally we forget our bags and then have to use plastic ones supplies by the supermarket. There has been much talk of charging for plastic bags in an effort to reduce the number of plastic bags making their eventually into landfill, etc.
Now some local ladies have come up with these 'borrow and return' bags. A number are kept at our local supermarket and if you forget your own bags you can borrow one of these and return it another day. I guess some will have the mindset of 'I don't know where it's been' but hopefully these recyclable bags will reduce the amount of plastic ones floating around the countryside.
How do you get your shopping home? Do you have bags of your own? Do you use plastic bags from the supermarket and do you have to pay for them?
47 people like this
48 responses
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
2 Feb 17
@JudyEv you do that here at places like Samsor costco
2 people like this
Vince got quizzed as to whether he was a local or not - by someone who often serves him! Maybe he's become invisible too. 
@allknowing (138003)
• India
2 Feb 17
The plastic fever seems to have spread far and wide. We too are discouraged from using plastic bags and we are expected to take our own bags. I have many bags mostly bought.
6 people like this
@allknowing (138003)
• India
2 Feb 17
@JudyEv If the shop keeper gives us then we too have to pay
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Feb 17
One store I shop at they charge you for the bags, but they are made to be reusable. Another store I shop they have plastic and they don't charge. I reuse the bag for other things.
5 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Feb 17
@coffeebreakwhatever There are many reasons why I would never live in California, to darn many rules telling me how to live. No thanks.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
2 Feb 17
That's a brilliant idea really- all but one grocery store near us charge for their bags and say they donate it back to the environment- but for me I mostly remember my own canvas bags- but sometimes I purposely collect the plastic ones to line garbages with- 5 cents a piece is usually less than buying a bag of twenty for 3 or 4 or whatever dollars! :)
5 people like this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
4 Feb 17
@JudyEv Right- doesn't make sense to recycle all your plastic bags and then have to go out and buy more--LOL!
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51551)
• Canada
2 Feb 17
@JudyEv All Canadian stores did away with them quite a few years ago, but the American Walmarts were still giving them away, but that changed a few months ago. Now they have to charge for bags also. Some of the small private boutiques and speciality shops still provide them, but sometimes they are paper shopping bags.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
2 Feb 17
The problem with these 'material' bags - germs galore! It is recommended that you wash them (I know the cheaper ones would probably fall apart) but point being I wouldn't want to use them and get the germs from strangers. We use plastic - we're fall behind most of the world!
4 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
2 Feb 17
@JudyEv I picture chicken juice leskimin the bag..ugh
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342285)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 17
@AbbyGreenhill Our meat never seems to leak but they always ask you if you'd like the meat in a plastic bag.
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
2 Feb 17
We have a few of those canvas bags for shopping but mostly we just use the plastic ones provided by the supermarket. We do have a recycling bin at the supermarket for returning those plastic bags so I don't worry too much about the environment since I always bring back a bunch and know they are being used for something else.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
2 Feb 17
@JudyEv so far our plastic bags are still free
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
2 Feb 17
The only place that charges for bags here is Walmart. We usually bring out own bags but sometimes we just get the plastic ones at the store.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (342285)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Feb 17
@FayeHazel Our packers are good and have been taught not to make the bags too heavy.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
2 Feb 17
Wow seriously? I hope they're made better if you're paying for them, then. -- the Walmart bags here are free, but cheaply made, rip easily... which makes you double bag heavy things, which is just more wasteful again...
3 people like this
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
3 Feb 17
Well a lot of places around here quit carrying plastic bags and now charge for paper if you don't have your own. So we now try and plan for those and carry our own
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342285)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 17
Mostly we take our own - except when we forget! :)
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
2 Feb 17
I used to have a nice collection of bags, but don't know where they went. Apparently I need to start a new collection. I enjoy having some plastic bags on hand. They're good for lining waste paper baskets, sifting kitty litter, bringing shoes to work on days you have to wear boots.. I also bring my lunch in a plastic bag everyday.. But I do tend to get far too many bags.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Feb 17
@JudyEv Yes they sure do. I like the approach Aldi's started years ago where they charge 10 cents per bag. They've been doing that since the last 90's when they first opened around here.
PS.. just dawned on me you don't know what Aldi's is.. it's a grocery store chain that mostly sells generic brands so they're a bit cheaper. They also don't bag your groceries for you, they throw it all in your cart and then you go off to a counter and bag it yourself.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342285)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 17
@katsmeow1213 We came across a lot of Aldi stores in Europe and we now have them here as well. They seem to be quite popular.
@JudyEv (342285)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 17
You can always find a use for a few plastic bags but they do contribute to landfill.
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
2 Feb 17
The plastic bags I get from the grocery store are still free from most places. One bargain grocery store will make you pay for them -- or use cardboard boxes (free). I think it's a good plan however I wouldn't like it because I keep the (free) plastic bags and use them to line my garbage cans- thus saving me from buying actual garbage bags. In a roundabout it works out because I'm not throwing away purchased garbage bags.... sort of...
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342285)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Feb 17
I think in an ideal world there would be no plastic. At least you're using yours twice. We line our bins with them too when we have them.
