Thanks to D.J. Breckheimer's post Small GREEN ideas for the new year (Which of these do you already do?) I began thinking about some of the simple things that we can do to help improve our environment. D.J.'s post reminded me of a recent mind shift I had last week. While shopping for New Year's Eve goodies, I visited one of my favorite stores, Trader Joe's in Laguna Hills, CA. They were having a sale on a great insulated shopping bag for only $2.99. Since I had some cold items and a few more stops, I thought it was a good idea to purchase one of these bags. When I got to the checkout stand, they loaded my cold items right into my new bag and zipped it up for me. The checker handed me a little red coupon. She said to fill out my name and phone number and drop it in the box on my way out for the weekly drawing.
Much to my surprise, I'd been walking past these little boxes at all the Trader Joe's locations where I shop, never realizing what they're for. You see, everyone who provides their own bags (recycled paper or plastic, cloth or whatever) is given a chance at a weekly drawing for a TJ's gift certificate. Well, I can tell you that the free groceries would be nice, but more importantly, they made me aware of a simple thing that I can be doing to improve the environment. Thanks to TJ's opening my eyes, I now carry a supply of bags in my car so I won't be accumulating all those plastic ones under my kitchen sink.
Thanks Trader Joe's for encouraging us to do something small that can make a difference globally.
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Marlene Bridges, REALTOR® 800 777-1775
South Orange County Real Estate Website
Orange County Seniors Lifestyles Blog
SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
CRS-Certified Residential Specialist®
President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce
Marlene is a highly experienced South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo.
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I've been bringing my own bag to the grocery and other stores since the 1970's. I used to get really odd looks from people when I would dig out my canvas bags and ask the store clerks to pack my purchase in them. I got used to it.
Wow, who knew I'd be way ahead of the crowd! Now it seems everyone is getting on the ecological band wagon. IT'S ABOUT TIME. Us old Hippies have been "holding down the fort" by ourselves so to speak!
Patti Ann - Kudos to you for being a trendsetter! I always thought I was doing my part by recycling. It boggles the mind to think of how much better it would have been to do as you have been doing in using cloth all these years.
Insulated grocery bags would be perfect! That's completely worth it! I had no idea.
Jen - Oh, so glad to have another convert. I think I saw some at Costco recently. Another of my fave stores - a Seattle claim to fame I might add. Used to shop the Price Club in Seattle when I owned a fishing resort in Olympia, WA.
I've had an insulated bag for years.. but I have to admit I'm only hit and miss on bringing my own bag to the store.. It usually winds up in the house and not in the trunk..
Insulated grocery bags is an outstanding idea. I hate it when my ice cream gets melted on the way home. I like the reusable material bags idea too. Every little bit helps :).
Kaye - I'm also using all those bags we get at every real estate convention, too. Finally, I'm putting all those bags I'v been collecting to good use!
Jim - Glad to pass along a "recycled" idea!
Yes, I recycle and bring my own bag to the store. When the bagger say plastic or paper, I say how about cotton, and hand them my cloth bags. Good post! 8-)
Michael - I can't believe it's taken me all these years to get it. It just makes so much sense.
I gave some Christmas gifts in reusable shopping bags instead of gift bags. I liked the ones at Pier 1 (nice design) AND they were cheaper than a gift bag would have been anyway!
Marlene:
Want a great gift for your self or friends? Check out Envirosax.
Jeff
Sarah - What an excellent idea! I'm going to check out Pier 1.
Jeff - Excellent gift idea. I actually received a TJ's bag from some friends a few years ago. I did use to take food aboard a sailboat but never thought to use it at the store---duhhhh! I'm learning.
I bring my own bags all the time. The nice thing is that they can used other places. We just want on a short trip via the car. We brought all of our food with us, so they bags worked great and they don't rip along the way. I also packed all my kids books and toys in them too.
Ginger - I'm the ultimate "bag lady". I have bags from every conference I've attended over the past 20 years. I just never thought to use them for groceries. I've used them for files, books, athletic gear, organizing my trunk. I'm just behind the curve on the grocery thing. I'm still learning.
This is a great program that the wife and I have done for years. I wish that more poeple would pick up on it as it can be a tremendous help to the enviroment. Thanks for bringing this to public attention.
I never remember to bring mine. Maybe I can keep it in the car.
The store I shop at gives you a .06 credit for every bag you don't have to use. So if you use 4 bags of your own you get .24 cents off your bill. It isn't much, but it helps.
I agree - I purchased 3 green bags at Publix so I that I can leave in my car, and minimize my usage of paper bags.
Marlene,
As a regular TJ's shopper here in Las Vegas I have to check into this BYOB thing. Great idea. The post you refer to has so many small but useful tips of how we can make a difference for the green trend.
My wife and I have been brining bags with us for a few years now...once you get in the habit of taking them with you, it becomes second nature to grab them as you're heading out the door to the store.
Joe - You and your wife are sure ahead of the curve. I wish I had realized it sooner.
Gayle - My plan is to unload my groceries and put the bags right back by the door so I can put them back in the car. I usually stop for groceries on my way home from doing other things so it seems the car is the best place for me..
Todd - That 6 cents credit does more than put money in your pocket, it helps to introduce and reinforce the idea for shoppers.
Carol - Good to know that Publix has green bags for this purpose. We don't have Publix here, but this is great info for all that do. Thanks for letting everyone know.
Esko - Do pick up a coupl of the great bags at TJ's. Don't you just love them? Glad you checked out D.J.'s article, too. It had so many great, simple ideas.
Howard - Good to hear that you and your wife started this great green habit a couple of years ago and it's become second nature for you.
Marlene, Walgreens here sells bags for 99 cents each. I have 8, plus one I got free 30 years ago at a local grocery store in Virginia. Yes way back then we were environmentally conscious! IKEA charges for plastic bags, so take your own, and most of Europe also charges for plastic bags. Its a no brainer eh?
Terry - Thanks for the Walgreen's tip. I have a couple of Ikea Bags - only 59 cents here.
Yeah I got a couple of those IKEA bags too. But they're shaped like a boat and hard to pack things in.
Terry - I used one IKEA bag to carry 3 4" binders, a stapler and a three hole punch to a meeting. That was quite a load for one bag!
I love the idea, I hate all the plastic bags it takes to get all your food home. But here is my question how do you know how many bags you need, what if you have to much food, and you still have to use plastic. defeats the purpose doesn't it?
-Chris
Stephen & Chris - Every little bit helps. It never hurst to have a couple of plastic bags on hand for wet garbage items and other little dirty items to dispose of.