This is actually not a new resolution for me. I’ve been doing it for a few years now. I even made a few reusable bags of my own. I just wanted to post this, because I have a question.
Here is my question… or dilemma:
I use our old plastic shopping bags to line our garbage cans. I can’t handle un-contained garbage dirty-ing up the garbage can. seriously. I even try to keep our outside container clean too.
Most the time I try to B.Y.O.B. (bring your own bag) when I shop. But sometimes if we’re low on trash can liners I get plastic on purpose. I figure it is like a free liner, and it’s better to use them twice (once to bring home your groceries and twice to contain your trash) then to just use them one time.
I’d love to know what you do. Do you use reusable bags? If so what do you use to line your trash cans?
I do the exact same thing you do! If stores someday begin charging per plastic bag, I may change, but for now that's our system.
We are on the same page. I love how my reusable bags have saved my home from being overrun with grocery sacks. And I like to reuse the grocery sacks for dirty diapers and trash liners as well.
I put poopie Rex diapers in them, tie a tight knot and walk them down the hall to the garbage room on the 11th floor. Can you imagine what that garbage room would smell like if I didn't? YIKES!
I also stuff a few in my suitcase for dirty laundry or wet swimming suits or dirty/muddy running shoes etc.
I also love to use reusable bags as much as possible, but sometimes I don't take them to the market on purpose if we are running low on plastic bags. There are just some things those plastic bags are perfect for.
I am all about increasing my carbon footprint.
So I ask them to double bag everything.
I second all the comments about reusing the plastic grocery bags. When I run low I leave my reusable ones in the car so I can stock up on more for our garbage cans at home.
I do the same but Have one more question…does anyone know if they make a biodegradable can liner? I'd switch in a heartbeat if they do but I've yet to find something like that.
Tib…You're AWFUL!!! Luv ya!
I agree. I still find many uses for those plastic bags (though I need to be better about always remembering my reusable bags). I think as long as you can give something at least two uses, you're making progress!
I use re-usable bags at the grocery store. They actually hold more and I don't worry about them ripping. I store them in a container in the rear cargo area of my SUV. We have to use heavy duty bags for trash in our house though. We store our trash cans in our garage (HOA rules) so it can get quite stinky if they are not closed tightly.
Like other commenters have said, we mainly use our plastic grocery store bags for dirty diapers. I keep a small container on the changing table full of plastic bags then I bundle up the diaper in one, then take it to the big garbage. Sometimes, if I am upstairs for something busy and I don't want to take the diaper out immediately, I double or triple up then throw it downstairs! I also stash some in the diaper bag, I love how you can smush them into a very small space.
We use the plastic bag as liners for small trash can also…so yes, sometimes I have to get them at the grocery store. I must confess that most of the time, even though I have my re-usable bags in my trunk, I forget to use them. So we hardly ever run out of plastic. They are also great to bring to the pool, clean a kitty litter box into, or just when you're in a hurry and need a bag for toys/stuff you're taking in the car.
So since I never made a resolution this year, I think it shall be to make a more conscious effort to use my reusable bags. I have really accumulated some cute ones after all.
It seems that I'm the only one who doesn't use plastic bags for my liners. I typically don't put anything to yucky in those little trash cans in the bathroom, I will take it to the bigger trash in the kitchen and my 8 year old son is responsible for emptying them daily so they don't get to bad. Every so often I stick the small trash cans in the dishwasher to wash for a good cleaning. And, as for having my own bags, I keep reusable Grocery Bags right in my car and a few reusable bags handy in my purse for other stops. I've purchased some ENVIROSAX Bags that fold up very small to carry in your purse or pocket but hold a lot! I can't say enough about these bags, the kids even have them.
I like to re use the plastic bags. The are great garbage liners.
I am terrible about taking my own shopping bag for the same reason. I love the liners for my trash can! My favorite are the Target sacks because they are stronger and a little bigger than the grocery store ones. Haven't figured out the solution to this problem either. (my mom gave me a box of Target sacks for Christmas. She'd been saving them for me because she knows how much I love them!)
Oh…and I know what you mean about keeping your outside trash cans clean. I spray mine out with the hose regularly!
I forget my re-usables enough that I usually have a few plastic bags on hand for liners. I also love to ask for PAPER at the store! I use the baby bags to line, and also as a 2nd kitchen trash where all our recyclables go. The paper bags stand up by themselves and are recyclable, so using them is a no brainer.
i love chico bags. they scrunch up inside of a little bag. i keep 4 of them in my purse so i always have one to use.
when we do get plastic….i take them to walmart for their recycling collection. i also take all the plastic bags that people bring their returns to costco in. it's insane how many we get a day.
oh and i don't line my little cans, if it's something gross i take it to the kitchen or outside.
HAHA YES!!!! i TOTALLY do this! but partly for a different reason… I LOVE to use the reusable bags because… are you ready?… I can put them over my shoulder thanks to the long shoulder straps!
We don't use the bags in our kitchen can, but I LOVE to use them in the bathrooms and to wrap up diapers… so sometimes i totally use plastic on purpose for the bags… oh, that just made me think of one time when i purposely left the green bags in the trunk, got my groceries in the plastic bags, then packed the plastic INTO the greenbags to carry inside the house (we live in an apartment and the walk from car to front door is abnormally long
that is bad
That's why I like getting the plastic bags from the grocery store. I use them to line garbages, pick up dog poo, put poopy diapers in etc etc.. I really need to get better at bringing my own bags to the grocery store but sometimes those plastic ones sure do come on handy.
I use grocery bags in garbage cans too. And I always used them for dirty diapers as well.
I don't line my small cans, just empty them regularly. I was terrible at remembering my reuable bags when I went into the store. I started stashing them on the floor of the car, right below my daughters carseat – now I always remember.
I love the Target plastic bags too, but Target will take 5 cents off your purchase for each reusable bag you bring in. I love the savings more than the bags!
I thought I would miss plastic bags for all the misc uses described above, but once you make the switch you just get creative!
I always have a store of grocery bags. When the supply starts getting low, I'll leave my reusables in the car until my cache is built back up. I agree, using them twice is better than once.