An attempt to be responsible...
I have a rant ahead, and before I get going, let me preface what I am about to rant about. For about a year now, we've been making an effort to more environmentally friendly. No, we're not as good at this as we'd like, but it's a slow process and we keep plugging away. We have plans to do more, but require the time to put such practices into place. We're getting there, however.
One of the things I've been trying really hard to do is stop using plastic grocery sacks in favor of the fabric ones. I have nothing against anyone who uses them, of course. They are handy to have around and last a long time. However, when you get to where you have 2 cabinets full of them, then it's time to rethink the plastic grocery sack. Yes, we can take them to recycled (another stage in our process), but why not use something reusable? I have multiple fabric bags from many, many different places: CVS, Kroger, Walmart, the bookstore, one from my dear friend Kristin that came from Half Price books with the lines from the constitution regarding free speech...stuff like that. I take them grocery shopping with me. People hate that. You'd be surprised just how many people in line behind you cannot hide their annoyance as the cashier puts your stuff in fabric bags. What's worse, most of the time the cashiers are usually clueless when I hand them over. Twice at Walmart I've had issues. The first time, I needed to buy a few more and use them right then. The cashier (again...clueless) had nothing to cut them open with after she'd rang them up, so another cashier took them over to the service desk to cut them open. Almost 10 minutes later, after having several chatty conversations with others, she comes back with them. I had already paid and was on my way out the door. Then today, the cashier looked at me as if I had grown two heads when I handed her my bags. She was completely baffled, and had no idea how to sack anything. Really? I handed her an insulated bag for the cold stuff, and she put the meat in, then proceeded to pile all my boxed foods on top. *sigh*
This does not deter me, however. Yes, people behind me sigh audibly when they see I'm not going with the norm and using the plastic bags, but what do I care? At least I am safe in the knowledge that I am attempting to do my part. What are they doing?
One of the things I've been trying really hard to do is stop using plastic grocery sacks in favor of the fabric ones. I have nothing against anyone who uses them, of course. They are handy to have around and last a long time. However, when you get to where you have 2 cabinets full of them, then it's time to rethink the plastic grocery sack. Yes, we can take them to recycled (another stage in our process), but why not use something reusable? I have multiple fabric bags from many, many different places: CVS, Kroger, Walmart, the bookstore, one from my dear friend Kristin that came from Half Price books with the lines from the constitution regarding free speech...stuff like that. I take them grocery shopping with me. People hate that. You'd be surprised just how many people in line behind you cannot hide their annoyance as the cashier puts your stuff in fabric bags. What's worse, most of the time the cashiers are usually clueless when I hand them over. Twice at Walmart I've had issues. The first time, I needed to buy a few more and use them right then. The cashier (again...clueless) had nothing to cut them open with after she'd rang them up, so another cashier took them over to the service desk to cut them open. Almost 10 minutes later, after having several chatty conversations with others, she comes back with them. I had already paid and was on my way out the door. Then today, the cashier looked at me as if I had grown two heads when I handed her my bags. She was completely baffled, and had no idea how to sack anything. Really? I handed her an insulated bag for the cold stuff, and she put the meat in, then proceeded to pile all my boxed foods on top. *sigh*
This does not deter me, however. Yes, people behind me sigh audibly when they see I'm not going with the norm and using the plastic bags, but what do I care? At least I am safe in the knowledge that I am attempting to do my part. What are they doing?
I circumvent all that by going to Aldi's. I save money and sack things properly.
ReplyDeleteWe have a closet full of the plastic sacks too, and only recycle them, never throw them out. You've reminded me to dig my Wegman's reusable sacks out of the closet and start using them again.
ReplyDeleteMay I recommend self-checkout? I use my own bags too, and, oh! the stories I can tell of my frustrations in my efforts to live a greener life... I'll spare you the details, but know I feel your pain.
ReplyDelete