this post was submitted on 08 Oct 2024

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Environment

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We're drowning in reusable bags. Are bag profits preventing big grocers from adopting solutions? (www.cbc.ca)

submitted 1 month ago by Five@slrpnk.net to c/environment

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[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 12 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

I'm confused why they keep buying more reusable bags when they forget to bring some. if I forget them, I usually just put the groceries in the cart unbagged and bring em out to the car, where I usually have the bags and can procede to bag, or if I truly have no bags, just put the groceries in the car bagless.

As a second option, my state eliminated plastic grocery bags at checkout, and instead offer paper bags for 10 or 15 cents a bag, which seems like a good option for those who forget sometimes.

[–] unknowing8343@discuss.tchncs.de 11 points 1 month ago (4 children)

Well, you are confused because unlike most of the world's population, you have a car and probably a private garage. If you don't have them, then plastic bags are needed.

[–] pedz@lemmy.ca 12 points 1 month ago

Wait, you are saying that not having a car and a garage makes people need plastic bags?

I lived in small, and now in a large North American city, and never owned a car. The city banned plastic bags a few years ago and I already owned some reusable bags bought a decade before, so I just continued to use them.

But mostly I use my backpack because I don't have a car and live in a city where I can walk to grocery stores. Otherwise I use my bike panniers. And if I really don't have a bag, instead of buying a new one, I only buy what I can carry with my hands. Crazy like that.

Or did the sarcasm go over my head?

[–] joshhsoj1902@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 month ago

When I was carless I depended on my reusable bags. Plastic bags were so annoying to walk or bus with.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 month ago

I only lived in a walkable city for a few months where I didn't have access to a car, and it was glorious to be able to walk to the grocery store.

But if I was going to the store, I always brought my backpack filled with some reusable bags, since without my backpack I'd be reducing my carrying capacity significantly. It's difficult for me to imagine forgetting to bring my backpack, since I'd have so much time to notice it not being on me on the walk to the store.

With a car it's easier to forget the bags, since they could be out of sight in the trunk, and it's easy not to think about them on the way since driving takes up your focus and attention. But that's just been my experience.

I do like the idea of stores accepting used bags to re-sell (or perhaps a take-a-bag leave-a-bag rack too?) For those who do not have a car and are more forgetful than I.

[–] saigot@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 month ago

I do exactly the same with my wagon.

[–] baggins 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I’m confused why they keep buying more reusable bags when they forget to bring some.

I see you've met my wife. I have about a dozen in the boot of my car. I even had one in my hand the other day but she still bought a couple in Asda. One of them didn't even make it to the car!

It's a constant struggle.

[–] FatLegTed@piefed.social 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Edit - I have about a dozen reuseable bags in my car, not wives :-)

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 month ago

I had a chuckle imagining your multiple wives at checkout (after having purchased yet more wives) and one tugs at your shirt and asks "honey, will we make it back to the car?"

You respond with a grave look "Some of you, yes. But with my hands full, I can't make any guarantees. You know that." Before stepping outside into the parking lot of a mad max-like world.

[–] FlashMobOfOne 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Speak for yourself.

I've had the same four bags for ten years. Spent a fair bit but got the ones that are built to last.

[–] memfree 3 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Well, don't leave us hanging! Which bags lasted 10 years? Where do we get them? I'm having a hard time because the only really good bags I have require a minimum purchase of 50 (these: https://enviro-tote.com/product/medium-grocery-tote-bag/).

[–] ShellMonkey@lemmy.socdojo.com 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Not 10 years yet but I've done well for about 3 with some simple canvas totes from Amazon

[–] FlashMobOfOne 1 points 1 month ago

Good call.

[–] ranandtoldthat 2 points 1 month ago

Baggu makes really good nylon bags that fold very small. Only downside is the lack of structure, but you get used to packing them in a couple shopping trips. Ours have lasted over 10 years.

[–] FlashMobOfOne 2 points 1 month ago

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0734JNH81?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Here are the ones I bought and they're fantastic. Aim for something similar.

[–] storksforlegs 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Retailers lovedbeing able to charge ten cents per bag, now they get to triple that profit? (or a lot more). They arent going anywhere