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simple ways to save the environment – ditch the plastic bags
This mama is no longer accepting plastic bags. Seriously. Plastic bags are littering our earth. Don’t believe me? Look at this. It was sent to me by the always clever and smart Frannie Kasen and it will take 30 seconds of your time.
According to Salon, every year, Americans throw away some 100 billion plastic bags. It’s equivalent to dumping nearly 12 million barrels of oil. Only 1 percent of plastic bags are recycled worldwide and the rest are discarded…filling up landfills, polluting our oceans and killing wildlife.
And aren’t they pretty?
Will you join me in saying NO to plastic bags? Pretty please…
For neighborhood shopping, I carry along a lightweight tote that easily folds into my purse.
When I go grocery shopping, I grab my canvas bags or bring a set of nylon bags that all fit in a carrying case the size of a clutch purse. Yes, the size of a clutch purse! How awesome is that?
Here is one of my favorites… its the Reusable/Recyclable Shopping Bag Set by Baggu. $44 for a set of 6. Each bag folds into its own reusable pouch or carry all six to the grocery store in the drawstring sack.
You will be amazed how quickly you can develop a no plastic habit. And you will be so much cooler and hipper and greener for turning down all those nasty plastic bags.
I will be giving away two reusable bags from eco-artware.com. Just leave a comment here and you are entered to win. Do you have a favorite kind of reusable bag? Please share!
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no to plastic is a good motto, we all have to start. those little red bags are sweet.
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Hey, that took longer than 30 seconds (maybe I’m a slow reader, or MAYBE I just feel so STINKIN guilty).
Fine. No matter plastic bags. Gulp. (I better win the giveaway after a vow so terrible as that!)
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i use my whole foods bag, but i forget it a lot. i would love to win !!
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I totally agree. Eat Play Love got me to ditch the plastic bag habit, although I have sometimes forgetten to bring my reusable tote into the store. Shame on me!
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That’s crazy how many bags end up on the coast, poor fishies. Love those bags and the fact they fold so small. I have some that whole foods is selling for 1$ but they sure don’t fold down that tiny!
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Baggus rock! I have a half dozen and the drawstring carrying pouch and that holds a week’s worth of groceries easily. I like that the handles are long enough to tie so things don’t slide around in the car. Also washable for leaky milk bottles, etc.
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I don’t currently own any reusable bags- but I’d definitely like to be more conscious of the impact of my choices on the environment. And I’d like to model that commitment to my children more consistently, as well- especially in areas like this where it would be easy for me to incorporate a new habit.
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We’ve been using canvas bags for quite some time now. The trick is, to always leave some in your car (or your purse for you city mamas).
No need to enter me into the contest, I’d rather someone who doesn’t have any bags get them!
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I’ve changed over to canvas bags. But only have 5 and each week I buy a new 1. Soon I will hopefully not need to purchase anymore.
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I will join you in saying no to plastic bags. I take my envirosax with me everywhere. We will save the world one plastic bag at a time – which might take awhile but you have to start somewhere
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I’ve been recycling forever; before it was even ‘chic’ and it was considered ‘cheap’. I’d take greeting cards sent to me, change the names and send them out to someone else for their birthday/anniversary, etc. I use the plastic bags instead of plastic wrap/tin foil and they get much use before I throw them out. I have more than enough cloth bags for shopping…every event I go to in California; someone’s giving out a cloth bag with their advertising on it. We need to figure out what to do with plastic bags…good for picking up dog doody…
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I’ve been using canvas bags for years now. I hate having those plastic bags pile up in my house. I can’t possibly reuse them all and I never really liked them anyway! I used to annoy the crap out of the cashier who had to bag my stuff, so I’m glad the trend has moved, and they’re getting used to it!
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I almost forgot – another recycling idea. I’ve stopped using wrapping paper. I still use gift bags for friends, because they can be reused, but for my own family, I use fabric. I’ve made a few bags with pretty fabric, and I just tie the bag shut with a ribbon and voila, a gift! Sometimes I also include a nice bag as part of a gift, and just tie it closed with a ribbon. I noticed one day how rediculous it seemed to have this giant trash bag full of wrapping paper at holidays/birthdays. We run out (in my case, usually at the last minute), buy rolls of paper to wrap up gifts only to have it ripped off and tossed moments or hours later. Silly really. Done with that. Join me in this crusade.:-)
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I love using canvas bags. They are great to take to the grocery store and the library.
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You are an awesome trend setter. This is a great cause.
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Thanks to my Berkeley childhood, I have been plastic-bag free for pretty much a lifetime, BUT the husband mocks my canvas Disney World bag that I have taken to using as a plastic substitute. These bags would definitely help me escape dorkdom.
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OMG!!! I’m mentioned in your Blog!! I didn’t even know until after I read the Marilyn Monroe one! My favorite reusables are lite canvas, washable ones. Very strong and hold tons. However, I feel most noble when I take my ill-gotten plastics to the grocery store and hand them out to others in line and save them 5 cents each, and educate them about reusing….But never using even once is better!!!
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I too have sworn off plastic bags. I have a collection of canvas totes from Wegman’s, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s. The trick is to remember to take them to the store. The little fold up totes would be great to have!
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Add me in!!! Right now I have the reusable bags I bought from Stop and Shop…though I am starting to feel a little silly using them at other stores…whoops! Would love some to use for my non-grocery shopping!!!!
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Very cool giveaway! I’m all for trying to do my part and REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE!
)
I moved from Austin last year and people were using non-plastic bags a lot. I even see it a lot here in my north of Dallas small town.
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OOps, that previous post had the link to my old blog. I have a new address now (and a new look). Here’s the updated address:
http://texaswordtangle.blogspot.com
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I like the 99cent reusable bags from my grocery store. They hold plenty, but the handles don’t last.
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I have never used baggu, but I have and do use chico bags. If there was anyway I could talk my hubby into using them, I would be the happiest person around.
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I actually use my many plastic bags for garbage (I have one of those small under the sink garbage cans that barely fits anything – but uses plastic bags). That said, I do have canvas bags that I use (especially great for the gallons of milk I now buy) but they are bulky! These would be nice to have. -K
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I have been thinking that reusable bags were the next step in the greening of my family. I hope I win!
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cute bags!
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I, too, am trying to kick the plastic bag habit. The hard part for me is remembering to bring the reuseable bags shopping with me!
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Hi there, I just hopped on over from Mean Mommy, and I like what I see!
I don’t use it every time I shop (because I’m very forgetful), but it works great, and nothing flops around… it’s a knockoff of those “Riesenthel” collapsible basket totes. Very handy!
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How about all those ziplock bags we use in our kids lunches and for a snack for weekend outing. Go a step further and you can use very stylish reusable cloth sandwich size bags. Save money and the earth at the sametime. You can even throw them in the washing machine. They are made by a mama of three (I taught her kids) visit her websit http://www.happy-sacks.com
Give the bags to someone who needs them- I have a ton from yards sales. I love that so many people are taking the plunge. Go girls!!!
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