What kind of bags are good?

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single use plastic bags have been banned for years here in South Australia - you can buy paper bags for around 20c if you need them

You can also buy re usable fabric bags at supermarkets for around $2. I have about dozen of those from various places and they last for years. You can throw in washing machine if they get dirty.
 
Murrmurr said:
I kind of miss the plastic bags. I used them for 2 small bins under the sinks and the one in my office. I'm gonna have to remember to buy them now....which defeats the purpose of the bag-law, doesn't it?
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Not really - because people usually use far less plastic bags for bin liners than they would for shopping.

I usually use 2 under sink kitchen bin bags per week - I would use about 8 bags shopping per week. I also have a small scraps bin on bench for the green bin - but I can use compostable bags for that and they go into green bin.
You can buy rolls of compostable bags - but I re use the ones from supermarket - the loose produce bags are compostable here.

little bins like bathroom bin I use the plastic wrapper that toilet paper comes in (or similar size from something else)

The other thing they have found - people buy rolls of bin liners and the bags go in the bin - far less of them end up as litter in waterways etc than when single use plastic bags were free for all.
 
I would wait and see what the various stores offer when the ban goes into effect.

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I have an assortment of heavy reusable bags, some were free and some cost $1.00.

I also have an old denim book bag with a zipper top that is great for smaller purchases.

The trick is to put the reusable bags into the car after every shopping trip otherwise you will just end up accumulating more.
 
good idea Bea - when it first comes in there probably will be all sorts of free offers like that.

yes I keep mine in boot of car - so I don't have to remember to take them when I do my grocery shopping. I also have 2 lightweight nylon ones in pocket of handbag for smaller purchases
 
I like many here do not mind a few more bags in smaller size as if you let the store bag stuff, they often overdo it. I often bag myself tell them i know how I have to unload it most are happy to let me bag it.
I have used many free bags given out just make sure stitching is good on handles. I make sure they are easy to clean as well. either in the sink with soapy water and rinsed or canvas type can make it thru a wash machine.

different in many places but my state started charging a few years ago and just upped the fee last year. I think back to old westerns with the trip to town was a wicker basket or a crate given to general store with your list LOL guess we come full circle.
 
January said:
Not really - because people usually use far less plastic bags for bin liners than they would for shopping.

I usually use 2 under sink kitchen bin bags per week - I would use about 8 bags shopping per week. I also have a small scraps bin on bench for the green bin - but I can use compostable bags for that and they go into green bin.
You can buy rolls of compostable bags - but I re use the ones from supermarket - the loose produce bags are compostable here.

little bins like bathroom bin I use the plastic wrapper that toilet paper comes in (or similar size from something else)

The other thing they have found - people buy rolls of bin liners and the bags go in the bin - far less of them end up as litter in waterways etc than when single use plastic bags were free for all.
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Good point.

I was thinking from Calif's perspective; its goal of zero plastics. Ahh, California, where you'll find a lot more goals than effort.
 
We use an insulated thermal grocery bag that you can also put ice packs in if needed. It's pretty big and will fit most of our groceries in it. Keeps things cool in the trunk on a hot summer ride home. There are also a couple cloth bags for overflow.
 
While travelling in the US in the 90s, I bought heavy cotton bags & nylon Safeway reusable bags. A couple are E.A.R.T.H. (every American’s Responsibility to Help). They wash up well.
I also have some larger heavy plastic bags that were free advertising with something.
There’s an insulated bag that fits in my trolley if I’m walking to the store.
In the summer, I keep a cooler in my trunk. Also, the grocery bags go back into the trunk.

Considering I shop for groceries almost every day, I need, or think I need, a selection.

When out for my daily walk, I wear a backpack and have a nylon bag in it just in case I buy more than expected.

The idea of using the square containers for laundry is sensible. Now I need to go to the grocery store tomorrow and pick up a couple.

You’d think I’m shopping for a mob. It’s just the two of us. I consider the stores as my pantry.
 
I have several Hessian bags, they are strong, some
need to be replaced and I see that Amazon sell bags
of various fabrics.

I take 3 or 4 into a supermarket, but as hollydolly says
if they are too heavy, then you need more to spread
the weight, don't fill them.

Mike.
 
Plastic bags have been banned in Canada for a number of years now.
I keep a pile of reusable bag in the boot of my car. From the cheap Walmart ones to very good canvas ones from Metro.
Over the years, I have amassed quite the collection.
I do miss plastic bags as they were great to line the food waste bin but now I am having to buy them.
 
Some years back, I read an article that studied the ban of plastic bags for groceries in California. They picked up and counted the bags that littered a highway (San Francisco? don't remember) before the ban became effective. A year later, they went to the same area, did the same thing and there was one (1) less bag than before the ban.

I distinctly remember when we went from paper to plastic. It was to "save the trees". Now, most stores here will use paper if you don't have your own bags. Sorry for the trees. Now we ban plastic to save the environment but as others have stated in another thread, everything you buy is wrapped in it. The local grocery will sell you the plastic for 10 cents each. I use those for picking up after the dogs. I have about six reusables but they are usually overfilled and too heavy.

Somebody is making money on the plastic bag bans. And don't get me started on light bulbs.
 
hollydolly said:
these are very pretty... and if I was younger I might buy those. However .. altho' I'm pretty strong, I've noticed I'm starting to lose strength a little bit, so I wouldn't buy any bags that I needed to carry heavy shopping. My insulated chill bag on wheels is my saviour...
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I hear ya! They can get heavy! I've been shopping more often, for less items - so that does help a bit. Wheels are a great idea!! :)
 
GoodEnuff said:
Some years back, I read an article that studied the ban of plastic bags for groceries in California. They picked up and counted the bags that littered a highway (San Francisco? don't remember) before the ban became effective. A year later, they went to the same area, did the same thing and there was one (1) less bag than before the ban.

I distinctly remember when we went from paper to plastic. It was to "save the trees". Now, most stores here will use paper if you don't have your own bags. Sorry for the trees. Now we ban plastic to save the environment but as others have stated in another thread, everything you buy is wrapped in it. The local grocery will sell you the plastic for 10 cents each. I use those for picking up after the dogs. I have about six reusables but they are usually overfilled and too heavy.

Somebody is making money on the plastic bag bans. And don't get me started on light bulbs.
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Anecdotally, since the single use plastic bag ban, I see almost no bags on the side of roads or freeways. They used to be commonplace.

I use thin plastic produce bags to pick up after the dog.

You're right that it seems nearly everything I buy is wrapped in plastic or housed in a plastic container.
 
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jim_slim said:
Is this law in a certain state or is it nationwide?
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New Jersey outlawed plastic bags a couple of years ago.

New Jersey has implemented a strong ban on single-use plastic carryout bags, effective from May 4, 2022. This law prohibits all retail stores, grocery stores, and food service businesses from providing or selling single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products. However, single-use paper carryout bags are allowed, except for grocery stores larger than 2,500 square feet, which may only provide reusable bags. The law aims to reduce plastic pollution and has led to significant reductions in plastic waste, with over 24 billion single-use bags removed since its enactment.
The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey+2

I have several cloth handle bags in which each holds quite a bit. I prefer the ones with handles that are long enough that I can carry them on my shoulders. @GP44 they are machine washable and IMO are the best way to go. Those are some nice bags @Lilac .
 
We have a bin full of the plastic bags that were from previous grocery shopping so I could take some of them along and just take the shopping cart out to the car and bag my own in plastic bags too.
As far as I know there isn’t a law about using plastic bags. The law is against retailers issuing them.
Just a thought.
Makes me wish I had saved more of the good heavy ones from the home improvement stores.
 
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