There were some really good bargains on at the grocery stores today so on my day off I ventured out…to return 2 hours later! I guess I wasn’t the only one who wanted to take advantage of the sales and stock up on pantry items. Luckily I had my sturdy cloth bags with me so all of my purchases got home safe and sound. My parents have used cloth bags for ever, way before stores starting charging for the plastic ones. So I when I started doing my own groceries I bought some cloth bags. Sustainable PF and I now have close to 10 I think. On an average trip I use probably 5-7 bags so if I were to pay $0.05 for each of those every time, I would pay somewhere between $0.25-$0.35 every grocery trip. If you consider that each bag cost us $1, the savings are big! Moreover I feel better knowing I am decreasing the number of plastic bags being produced by decreasing my demand for them. There is already too much plastic in the world.
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One thing to keep in mind with cloth bags (I use ’em too!) is that it’s a good idea to throw them in the laundry at least once a week to prevent build-up of bacteria that may colonize the microscopic bits of food left behind. There have apparently been cases of food poisoning in the US related to this. So I wash mine regularly, although I’ve learned the hard way that putting cloth bags in the dryer can sometimes make them shrink dramatically!
thanks Brad-your comment reminded me that out cloth bags had not been washed in a while and so into the laundry they went!
Great tip. We aren’t charged for the plastic bags so there’s no financial incentive to switch — but we do make sure and reuse the plastic bags for other projects around the house (mostly scooping the kitty’s box!) instead of tossing them out directly.
agreed GrowRichSimply reusing the plastic bags is a good idea, we do the same with the occasional plastic bag that makes its way in-kitty litter clean up!
I love the idea but we use the reusable store brand ones. I would like them more though if my wife would have bought half blue half pink instead of all pink. Particularly when I go shopping by myself. lol.
Great comment brokeprofessionals. Perhaps next time you throw them in the wash as Brad suggests, add a new dark piece of clothing…might turn them purple at least!
I always make sure to have a reusable cloth bag in my purse. That way if I am out and end up shopping somewhere, I don’t have to take a plastic bag. We always use cloth and it works great.
If you want to get rid of plastic bags, I know you can donate them to schools and daycares. They use them for crafts. This is the same with egg cartons, milk jugs, and boxes.
Thanks Miss T, I would not have thought to donate plastic bags to schools and daycares. I usually donate mine to the library because they always need them