logo for washing-machine-wizard.com
LEFT for washing-machine-wizard.com

Just say no... to bags!

It seems like no matter what I buy in a store (today I bought 1 whole lightbulb!), the cashier always automatically tosses things in a bag. I tell them the same thing every time, hoping to stop people from using so many bags - every year, a billion plastic bags get thrown away, and it takes a lifetime for them to breakdown.

People get bags thinking that they'll reuse them, but they only reuse them about 3% as often as they think they do. Not nearly enough to make up for the damage it creates in the environment.

So, if you carried it up to the cashier without a cart, you can certainly carry it to your car without a bag. And if you do need a bag, bring your own.

Comments for Just say no... to bags!

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		bestiessays NEW
by: Troy

Hello! Do you know that you can get the best essay from us? Visit and check it now!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Say no to bags.
by: Anonymous

I went to the store today and didn't bring home any bags. Because i only had 3 things and 2 of them couldn't be baged. I reuse all of the bags I get from the store.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		No more Plastic Bags
by: Anonymous

I live right around the corner from my grocery store, so whenever I go shopping I bring my cloth tote bag to bring my groceries home. If I am only buying one or two items I just carry them home in my hands.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Say No?
by: Anonymous

I try to say no to plastic bags whenever I can. I occasionally work at the checkout lanes where I work and it's especially aggravating when someone wants a bag for a birthday card or a book. When I do work checkouts and bag up stuff for people, I try to fill the bags as full as I can. The only exceptions are with meats and breakable items. Otherwise, they get packed full!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Say No to bags!
by: Anonymous

I totally agree with not using plastic bags.I have never in my life been so aggrivated with something.Not only are they bad for the enviroment but they are also dangerous to animals and kids.Everytime I go shopping I always bring the bags I have used for 2 years because we just dont need anymore around!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Yes...No bags please
by: Anonymous

I totaly agree with this. Plastic bags are menace. People should be discouraged to use plastic bags unless there is a technic evolved to naturally destroy these bags.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Yes...No bags please
by: Anonymous

I totaly agree with this. Plastic bags are menace. People should be discouraged to use plastic bags unless there is a technic evolved to naturally destroy these bags.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		100% I agree
by: Anonymous

I am using my Reusable bag to shopping to help Eco.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		100% I agree
by: Anonymous

I am using my own bag always to shopping.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I totally agree!
by: Sandie

It's so funny, this just happened to me yesterday. I was shopping at an outlet store and I bought a purse. The cashier started to put it in a bag and I said, "No thanks." My Mom was surprised. She thought I would be embarrassed and that someone would think I stole the purse because it still had tags on it. I told her to let them think what they want. I didn't need to waste a bag to carry a small "bag."
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I Agree
by: Anonymous

Many stores now sell reusable shopping bags that you can use instead of plastic ones to help the environment. If I do get plastic bags I always find a use for them though- I line trashes with them, use them to pick up after pets and clean litter boxes, use them to carry stuff around, etc...
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Eco friendly bags are stronger
by: Anonymous

All the places where I shop offer environmentally friendly bags for $1.00. I've purchased several. They are stronger than regular plastic bags (never had a handle break off on me yet), and hold more items. I just keep them in my car, so whenever I go grocery shopping, they are handy.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Reusable bags from the grocery store
by: Samantha

Both Publix and Sweetbay grocery stores here in FL are offering reusable bags for about $1, right at the register. They hold about as much as the paper bags. I've gotten not only enough for groceries, but a couple of extras for storage at home.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Paper or plastic?
by: Anonymous

I would love to have a camera to get the expressions when I say no bag, please. "Are you sure?" If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't have asked.

While I am concerned with the thought of all that plastic in the landfills taking millinia to biodegrade, my main reason for no bags is that they are a PIMA. Put into a dark closet, they multiply. They never make it back down to the car for that collection point in front of the store. So....if I don't need a bag, I don't want a bag. Thank you very much.
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Recycle Bags
by: Anonymous

Wal-Mart has a box in the front of all their stores where you can bring back empty plastic bags for recycling. I personally have used canvas bags for years. They are very durable and hold way more than the plastic ones. All the major grocery stores are selling them now for about $1.00 a bag however local thrift shops will generally have TONS of canvas bags for 10 or 20 cents a piece.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Use Less Bags
by: Anonymous

I use self-checkout as much as possible so I can control the number of bags used...I fill them full! Some cashiers put just a few items in each bag. I also do not bag large items like detergent, large juice containers, paper products, soft drinks, etc. I recently bought canvas bags for my purchases and these are great! They hold a lot, are stronger and can be used over and over. I always keep a few in my car for those unexpected stops at the store.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		i agree
by: Anonymous

I totally agree with reusing plastic bags! If you feel weird reusing bags for some reason, they are recyclable, so you are able throw them in with your weekly recyclable pickup. There are also supermarkets that have drop-offs for the plastic bags so you can recycle them there, as well.

I am a cashier and I ALWAYS ask whether people would like a bag. I hate wasting bags and if I do give them a bag, I put as much in it as possible. Plastic is much stronger than some people think. It always irks me when people want double bags.. trust me, it's not going to break unless you're doing something crazy with it or have 10 tons of stuff in there! (Also, your comment about 'being able to carry it to the counter without a bag' is now something I'll have to restrain myself from saying when people want bags for something they can easily carry.)
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Absolutely True!
by: Anonymous

I agree completely that way too much plastic is used. I've found that the majority of baggers only put one or maybe two items per bag. I make it a point to show them that more can fit in one bag. I've also started asking for more paper bags, as we do reuse these much more often. My husband and I have discussed getting some canvas bags that we can reuse. It seems the grocery chains should be pushing this option more, but I rarely see it.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Share you eco friendly advice.


footer for washing machine reviews page