It all started with a bag...

By Ellen G. on March 24 2008 at 12:50 PM

I really feel like I'm going to earn the designation of BAG LADY around these parts, but here I go...

I've never been one to fret about using reams and reams of paper and plastic bags when I go to the supermarket. I always felt that reusing them once or twice was justification enough to get them. Ignoring the pleas and helpful urgings of friends, I resisted purchasing those $.99 market canvas bags and went on using store provided paper and plastic.

Until the moment I met THE BAG.

Yes, it was at Trader Joe's, a place I have come to acknowledge as the home of all great inspiration. I was at the checkout when I looked up and saw it. The bag. The coolest bag ever.

I was struck with the sudden desire to start using reusable bags and the lust for a NEW COOL THING. Since it happened all at the same time, I was consumed, and had to give in. 4 bags, please.

Now, shopping takes on a different tone. I have COOL REUSABLE BAGS. I'm eschewing paper and plastic, and looking awesome at the same time. I can't say I always remember to put them back in my car, but when I do, it's a God-send. They allow me to put all my groceries in fewer bags, saving me trips between the car and the house, which when you have kids is worth it for that alone.

So that's all it took for me to go green in this one key area. I needed to find a bag that made it cool to reuse. No, I wasn't swayed by the $.02 (seriously) that my local market refunds you for using your own bag. I payed no mind to the others doing the same thing and scorning me for not. It was the cool bag. My friend had a similar experience with the "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" reusable bag where it became a status symbol and she HAD to have one.

Why don't more retailers think this way? Limited edition bags, bags with celebrity images on them, a more direct tie-in to an environmental group that would benefit from the sales of the bag - ideas like this would get even more people going green.

As for me, I'm going to the market tonight. Guaranteed, I'll be the coolest babe there, thanks to my TJ's baggage.

Comments

I need a MAN bag like that, but I totally agree that retailers need to THINK about how to engage people with items/products that they'll use everyday. We all have to go shopping (well those who have maids don't), and we all have probably used/thrown away 3000+ bags in our lifetime, why not gives us 1 bag that is uniquely ours?

I'd even say why not let us "design" our own bag, sort of like people can with credit cards, etc. Mine would have my face shot, eating an apple...a green one!

I've got 5--yes, you read correct, 5!--Trader Joe's bags. I'm a fan :)

I love the TJ bags. At the store here in SLO when you checkout with a bag you get a chance to pull a block from a bucket. 5% of the blocks have discounts, but the rest have great little quotes: "Be happy" "Kiss someone" "Eat oranges"

Here's a great link to reusable bags including my all time favorite and worldwide phenomenom! Bid on it now!

I was in a TJ recently and the person in front of me loaded up on them.

But what about scooping dog poop? A lot of people at the park actually BUY bags for that.

Great article!

Can anyone send a few of those up north to Canada? :)

I'll be sure to grab one of those my next visit south!

Hooray for reusable bags! I love how more and more places are offering non plastic bags (Like at bookstores, Opus, etc.) I don't mind paying 1.00 when I forgot my bags at home to get more. :D Everyone should do this!!

@Matt Stewart: @Tonya: Most Canadian grocery stores have these available...maybe not as spiffy but I find them handier and sturdier than plastic, as well as less strain on the hands.

Your local grocery store might also have a special on these baggies - one of mine gave a free one away with every purchase over $25 or something, plus an initiative where you can save $$ by using your own bag. Perhaps if more stores picked up on the green wave like this we'd see more of it around.

I always forget my reusable bag- but more enticing bags- always good!

ahh the reusable bag... once you get into the habit of using them they're great. I always carry a lighter weight reusable bag that folds up nice and small and fits in my handbag for small purchases that usually get put into those smaller plastic/paper bags - things like prescriptions or other toiletries. I find that it's really handy and I use it quite a bit. I also have the larger bags that I use for grocery shopping, but those are too big to carry around with you at all times so the smaller lighter weight cloth bag should also be considered as an alternative!

It's pretty much a fashion trend as I see it. The reusable bag is now about not having plastic and pretty much finding one that is "cute" and does the work. The only problem I see is that who can ever remember to actually bring it where I go. You have to love the feeling about "saving the world", but remembering the bag is the first step!

@1knight87:
I hear ya....
I have a stack of "green" bags at home, can never remember to take them shopping with me and I always end up buying more. So the question arises.....is it still better to keep buying these bad boys or just get the stores plastic one's occasionally? I guess since they are recycled, it's better to pop the extra .99 cents

You have once again reminded me to use the bags my gf bought for me to use while shopping. I should probably just keep them in the car....

I always use re-usable bags, they're the best!

The re-useables are great! When I remember ***

When I leave them in my car, I find that I use them to cart all sorts of things out of the cart, like a mini carrying case. It's way sturdier and you don't have to worry about the bag break and cans etc.. rolling all over the driveway.... ** It's happened way tooo many times**

I started with one I got for free when on vacation. Now I am constantly looking for unique bags. I use them everywhere not just for groceries. My mail, errands, store returns, recycling, extra clothes, snack & lunches, and even as gift bags - what better way to give a gift instead of giving a paper gift bag that usually gets thrown away or reused only one or twice. ;o)

I might have to put a few of these cool bags up for bid on eBay. I'm sensing a great cause auction idea brewing here.

Great idea! I do love these reusable bags. I use them for everything. Help the environment, it's a start. :)

Wow I love the bag! I have never seen these before! I will have to check those out.

I love that bag, it looks so neat! I would definitely use one if there was more unique ones available. It is definitely a good idea to start using reuseable bags on a daily basis.

LOVE THE BAG I WANT ONE !!!

I think re-useable bags are awesome and when shops offer incentive to use them all the better :) Like Superstore offers you PC points if you use their bags and that little perk ensures that I remember them. Charging for bags at shops can also assist with that. But I think they are a great idea.

I've got a couple resuable bags, but mine are boring. And there is no Trader Joe's in Vancouver BC. Hmm. I guess I'll have to go by TJs and grab a few bags next time I venture across the line!

I just go my first reuseable bag and I leave it in my car. It it so much better then getting another plastic bag!

Loves the reusable bag <3

I think the big problem with these bags is that people don't always bring them along. I do my shopping on a whim and if I forget to put them back into my car after carrying the groceries I'm stuck with the plastic bags. I wouldn't mind getting a few of these TJ ones though, and just keeping a big stash in the car. I can see these being used to carry other things besides groceries.

Very nice! I'll have to pick one up.

I have 2 of these myself.

We've been using these types of bags for a while and the only downside is that you don't have the free garbage bags that the old plastic bags provided. It's a bit of a trade off as we were reusing the old plastic bags but that's the way that these things go. In principle, it's a great idea and easy to implement, but in the long run, I'm not 100% about the environmental impact since you probably wind up using more purchased garbage bags. If anyone has come up with a good solution to this, I'd love to hear it.

That bag is adorable!
I do remember seeing a gal on eBay selling home-made shopping bags.
I thought then what a great idea!
Wish we had one of those stores by me. It is a fun store as I remember it when I visited San Jose!

Nice bag. *sigh* Alas, we have no TJs in SLC. That's not to say we don't have reusable shopping bags. We do. I have a bunch at home. Even one of the big huge blue ones from Ikea that are rather impractical in most situations. I just really wish we had TJs. For the cool bags. And the two-buck chuck.