When a store employee asks me if I want a bag, or worse – puts the items right in a plastic bag, I usually let them know that the average plastic bag is only used for 30 minutes.
Maybe it will make them think about their own plastic bag usage!
What have you caught yourself saying to people that might sound a little preachy (but you mean well)?
~Stephanie
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?
-Katy Perry, “Firework”
“Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain
Related articles
- Expanded plastic bag ban takes effect Monday (sfgate.com)
- Haiti Imposes Ban on Plastic Bags (greenpacks.org)
- Barrington approves plastic bag ban (wpri.com)
stephaniegetsridofhercrap 
Off hand I can’t think of a recent comment, but then again I have been trying very hard not to open my mouth. Today I stopped at the store to get a few needed things. I brought 2 of my reusable bags, more than enough. Without watching the bagger used both my bags and a plastic bag. Before I had a chance to say anything the cashier removed all my items and rebagged them. She used my second bag to hold a card I purchased so it wouldn’t get damaged and the toilet tissue, and put the plastic bag away. Most know me well enough to know I won’t accept the plastic. It got me to thinking how many extra plastic bags are used when the bagger is afraid to overload the bags and uses more than needed for each customer in a day.
Posted by livingsimplyfree | October 3, 2012, 4:28 pmRecently someone told me people ask for double bagging so that they don’t have to buy garbage bags. That makes me really sad. So I am asking for no bags so that someone else can get double. It’s sick.
Posted by stephanieough | October 8, 2012, 9:53 pmI tend to only talk abut myself. “I don’t need the plastic, thanks. Forgot my reusable bags, so I’ll carry it today. Guess I’ll remember next time.” When I do it this way, I don’t feel odd for asking, and it seems to be well-received by whomever is checking me out. Very non-judgmental.
If people seem flummoxed by reusable bags, I ask if they mind if I bag my own purchases. This seems to be greeted with gratitude, in general.
I also try to tell people *before* I am rung up that I don’t need a bag if I don’t have one with me. Sometimes they stick it in one anyway (habit is ingrained!!), and I remind them politely and they usually laugh and give it to me to stick in my purse or carry out by hand.
Posted by Brigetmulling | October 6, 2012, 7:19 pmThat’s great! It’s good to hear other people care. Thank you for commenting.
Posted by stephanieough | October 8, 2012, 9:50 pm