New Year's Resolution Update: Shopping Bags
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 01. 2.07
Graham should give himself a prize for coming up with the most popular New Year's Resolution- Actually start carrying around a re-usable bag for shopping. It is so true; one doesn't plan every shopping trip, or just forgets the damn thing. To make it easier, TreeHugger has covered many easy-to-tote totes that you won't forget: The Onya bag folds up small enough to be part of a keychain. The Oneless folds up into its own pouch. The "Take your bag for a Walk" reminds you that you can take it with you. And of course women and cross-dressers can wear the shopping bag bra. Who could forget that? Or, you could just move to Australia, where nobody lets you forget.
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What a fabulous resolution. Does anyone have suggestions for getting my customers to buy into it? We sell inexpensive Chico bags at the cash register and try to encourage people to use them, but not too many take us up on it. I would welcome any and all suggestions.
Laurie Morin, Owner
Hoopla Traders, a fair trade and eco-friendly boutique
733 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
www.hooplatraders.com
www.bethechangeblog.com
laurie@hooplatraders.com
I'm from Algarve, Portugal and I'm trying to put up a project to present to supermarkets. This project will involve the replacement of plastic bags for reusable shopping bags. Something like a post taht I read here in Treehugger. That's one of my green projects for 2007. Help to make a better world, one plastic less at a time...
@Hugo: in France most big supermarkets (eg; Carrefour) do not give out plastic bags, but will sell you reusable ones instead. You might want to check this out for your project.
What about those of us who use those plastic grocery bags as trash bags? I only ever get bags when I shop when I absolutely need to (things won't fit in pockets and are too numerous to tote around), but I save all the bags I can for trash bags. Yes, it's freindlier to just throw the trash into unbagged bins, but bagging allows for less frequent cleanings, and easier transport to the recycling center.
Paper bags are still available in the US, and they can be re-used a number of times before they get torn or soiled. Just take them with you and ask the bagger to use them.