One of my New Year’s resolutions was to try to be more environmentally friendly than I have been in the past.
So far, that’s meant making a more concerted effort to recycle, use CFLs, and disconnect energy-sucking electronics.
I’m also trying to use reusable totes when I shop, but it’s been a struggle. I often forget my bags at home or in the car, and end up hauling home plastic or paper bags instead.
I recently read that the Washington DC area is now requiring customers to pay 5 cents for each grocery bag they use. Apparently the new law has resulted in less waste.
And some stores, such as Target, have started rewarding customers who bring their own reusable shopping bags with a nickel discount for each bag.
But is it enough to change people’s habits?
I know that when Target first started its discount policy last year, I was very excited about it. But the reality is that after a few weeks, it’s quite easy to slip back into those old bad habits. It’s easy to say, “It’s only a nickel,” and take the plastic bag.
If I had to pay for bags, would I be tempted to say the same thing? Maybe I would be, especially if I’m distracted by trying to keep my three boys from destroying the candy display during check-out.
I also don’t like that both the rewards and the pay-as-you shop policies seem to discriminate against those who may not have a lot of disposable income for reusable shopping totes. Sure, it’s just a nickel now. But those little amounts add up.
Unfortunately, the reality is that we must do something to reduce the amount of paper and plastic bags into landfills. That could mean better educating people about the environmental impacts of grocery bags, encouraging more recycling of paper and plastic bags, and creating better incentives to encourage reusable shopping bags.
For now, I’ll just keep on doing my best with my reusable shopping bags. They say it can take 21 days to form a habit, so I’d better start on it now.
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I'm not sure who "they" is when it comes to the 21 days to form a habit. I worked out for 6 months and loved every minute of it, but when my routine changed I stopped. That was more than 21 days yet I fell back to old bad habits. Not for nothing, but I always hear that 21 days thing and think it's just something we say because we heard it once [or twice] =)
I almost always bring my reusable bags, but yesterday I still ended up with a plastic one. They were on my shoulder, but I wasn't paying attention and the cashier's "habit" of grabbing a plastic bag instead of saying "oh, did you bring your own bag?" made me just take the stupid thing. Oh, and I've been doing this for more than 21 days as well. lol
I had the same dilemma, but I finally bought some bags at our local store Meijers since I grocery shop there all the time. I started recycling about eight years ago and I had the same question you did, "But is it enough to change people's habits?"
Well, thankfully, I ran into someone (I don't remember who) and they said to me, "The reason the world looks like s–t is because everyone thinks the same dang thing – 'Can just one person make a difference?' It's like a self-defeating prophecy, dude!" I began to see his point: if everyone thinks in this same negative vein then no one will do anything and the world will become one giant garbage heap.
I decided to take action, and since that day it has now become a habit (washing out the jars, cans, etc.). I have a little recycling set up below the counter in the kitchen (for paper, foil, plastic, etc.) and even my junk mail gets recycled there.
So the real question to ask yourself is, "Am I going to make a difference?"
Anything can become a habit and since we have enough bad ones then why not a couple good ones? And if you forget your bags and come home with plastic bags then just recycle those!
See, it isn't hard
Here's an easy way to jump start your new habit of bringing reusable bags for shopping. When I started I often forgot the bags in the car or at home, so I purchased several that were small enough to fit in my purse, that way I couldn't forget them. I remembered to use them because there they were right next to my wallet! Once you get used to using the bags from your purse you will also start to remember the ones in the car.
I never thought I would like using reusable bags. I shop at wal-mart and I bought 4 of the bright blue 50¢ bags and I love them. I can fit a weeks worth of groceries in those 4 bags instead of 14-20 plastic bags. Two weeks ago, I was going to go shopping after work. I realized that I forgot my bags at home so I waited and went shopping the next day.
My tip: I use the seat belt that once held my kids in place to hold my bags upright so I don't forget them under a pile of groceries.
I always (well, almost always) bring my own bags when grocery shopping. But I often forget them on the day-to-day runs. I didn't know that Target was offering 5¢ per bag. That's enough incentive for me!
I've gotten better at taking my own bags and I actually prefer them now to plastic grocery bags that usually split open by the time I get home. Most of my totes I've gotten for free through promos on the internet. My collection of plastic bags used to be overflowing in my kitchen and I'd have to take the bags back to the store for recycling. Now I just have one bag full of bags to use for trash, etc. One person makes a difference and millions of people make a huge difference!
I don't think paying for bags changes my shopping habits per se, but I, like Christina often forget them in the car or house. I too try and be environmentally friendly, but sometimes companies who promote such habits don't make it that easy. For example, I learned of Target's discount when you use reusable bags from one of Christina's posts. Last night I was purchasing some items there and asked for the same discount because I had large plactic totes which my items could be placed in. I have gotten the discount before at some Target stores, but they were not budging last night. This made me upset as I don't see the difference between the resuable bags and a plastic tote – I was saving on a plastic bag, being environmentally friendly, and could use the tote again and again for items. What is up with that?