Plastic bags
October 10, 2008
Plastic bag
I went to Publix supermarket today to purchase a gallon of milk and some other items that we needed at the house. At checkout I was asked if I would like paper or plastic. I said “neither, no bags please”. The cashier and bagger looked at me as if I had 3 heads! So confused by my response they asked again, “No bags?!”. I politely said no, I already had a collection at home which I stick in the car to reuse for shopping. (How many bags do we really need to collect?) And I would just use the stash in the car until they break. Even the manager came over to ask what was the deal?…lol…What a conspiracy!
On the plastic bag reads the phrase: “Because Publix is concerned about the environment and reducing waste, we encourage you to use reusable bags when you shop”. I decided to reuse the ones I had. That was my way of reducing waste for the environment and for myself. Next step is to sew a few for myself.
October 10, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Funny! Where do you live? In Seattle, it’s a badge of honor to carry your reusable bags, and many stores sell them for a nominal fee or give them away. Grocery stores seem to be the chief place where we remember to use them, but at the drugstore I got the hairy eyeball for bringing mine and using it as a shopping basket (guess they thought I might be stealing?). We all need to do our part, I’m glad you’re doing yours and educating the store folks!
October 12, 2008 at 3:44 am
I have a related Publix bag story for you. Years ago I began buying reusable canvas bags at Publix. I easily have a dozen or so. They were made in this country in Annapolis, Maryland by Blind Service Industries.
Recently I noticed that the new bags for sale at publix are made of plastic, and are marked Made in China.
I was outraged to see Publix take a step in the wrong direction. I wrote them a letter. Do you know I got an individualized response? I was informed that Blind Service Industries has trouble keeping up with the demand for canvas Publix shopping bags, so Publix keeps them as a special order item.
So if you want a really good canvas shopping bag made in America go to the special order desk at Publix, and they will hook you up. I have been using and washing my canvas bags for years. They also come in handy as snack storage bags on road trips, and book bags.