Can I take a big (cloth) shopping bag to the supermarket or It has to be in their plastic bags?

When ever i buy stuff..so that i save the plastic being used, good for environment.

Anonymous2009-04-10T16:05:49Z

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you can.

But what you could also do is buy the mesh bags they sell. Part of the profit goes to save the world type Charity's

or you can just put cardboard boxes in your trunk and have them put your food back in the cart without a bag.

English rosethorn2009-04-10T16:35:43Z

Years ago we all took our own bags to the supermarkets but it was them who got paranoid about shop lifting and started to encourage us to leave our bags at home and they would 'give' us free bags.

Then they invented CCTV and hey presto. They do not need to worry about shop lifting any more. They can watch every move we make.

It does not cost less to provide us with biodegradable bags. It saves them money if we take our own bags. These reusable bags cost as much to the environment as the biodegradable ones they could supply.

Like most of these schemes to improve the environment it is all a matter of how they phrase the publicity.

They show the cost of the throw away bags but not the cost of the reusable ones.

So, we all are led to believe that by re-using thick plastic bags we are saving the planet. Untrue.

Cloth bags, wear out too. Where does the cloth come from, how much does it cost to produce, how does it help?

?2009-04-10T20:25:47Z

Why can't you use a cloth bag? I take about 7 or 8 every week to the store and then hand them to the cashier or pack them myself.

I just stuff them all together, put them beside my purse in the shopping cart and then buy my stuff and pack up and go. Then when I unpack I put them all together again, put them in my car so I'm ready for the next trip,

I also have some smaller cloth bags for my produce and bulk stuff. It annoys the cashiers a little that they have to look inside but not many.

Piqchure2009-04-10T16:29:26Z

Take as many bags as you want, no store in its right mind would force you to use their plastic bags since you'll be saving them from having to order more. If they won't let you use them, leave and refuse to pay, you don't have to put up with their illogical and irresponsible rules.

Just put them in the bottom of your basket and put the groceries on top of them, that way there is no evidence of shoplifting. Anything that uses less single-use or landfill-bound products will be good for the environment.

Zaxop2009-04-10T19:11:08Z

Of course! Many stores have their own cloth bags up for sale as well, but it doesn't have to be one of theirs. Some stores in my area have started to charge for plastic bags. I think that's pretty cool and I've even notices a bt less waste floating around my neighborhood. And most stores will probably prefer you using your own bag.
Thanks for being eco-friendly and trying to conserve!

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