"They're for the environmentalists"

[globalvillage]

I was in the checkout line at the store today when I heard a woman behind me say to her friend "They're for the environmentalists.", nodding at the rack of reusable shopping bags next to her for 99 cents. My first inclination was to say "Well, at least someone's watching out for your grandkids' future.", but they appeared not to intend any malice, so I grabbed one and said "Thanks for reminding me, I forgot mine."

At the next store, I bought a ceramic flower pot and the checkout person proceeded to wrap it in about six layers of paper, really excessive for my tiny purchase. "I don't live that far," I explained. "It'll be fine."

Is there any chance 'regular' folks here will ever wake up to the fact that the environment belongs to all of us? Should I have told the women, "It's OK, you're allowed to use them, too."?

I recall being in a grocery store in Italy years ago and paying extra for plastic bags and none of the locals were using them. Everyone brought reusable shopping totes. Think that'll ever happen here?

[ixion]

1. I bought mine...they're very nice, actually

way better than paper or plastic. They hold more, have strong handles and they're reusable. Awesome.

[globalvillage]

7. I have several and try to remember to bring them

I'm getting into the habit of putting them in the car when I'm done unloading my purchases. What bugs me is when you buy one item and they try to stick it in a bag or when they put one or two things in a bag and you end up with five bags for ten items. I prefer the self checkout so at least I can fill up my bags and use fewer even if I forget my reusables.

[MadMaddie]

2. No, people like the women you saw in line

most likely believe in the end times and see no value in saving and protecting the environment.

[zeemike]

3. I think what you said was perfect.

Your actions said more than the words would have conveyed.

[mcar]

4. There's hope

People use the canvas bags all the time in my little red corner of the universe. I'm frequently surprised by how many, old and young, come out of the grocery store with their groceries in these bags.

Plus, even the WalMart cashiers have stopped looking at mine as if they are from another planet. Except for my mesh bags - no one knows what to do with them. But, once they see how much they hold, they're hooked.

[Muttocracy]

5. my only motivation for plastic bags is for dog cleanup - but the bags have gotten so thin

that they're always ripped by the time I even get to the car anyway. I'm going to be bringing my own bags soon.

[Arugula Latte]

6. In some stores here in Portland, a significant portion of people use reusable bags.

Once in awhile I forget to bring in mine, but I always have my compact bag that smooshes up into a tiny package and that I carry in my purse.