Comments on: Please Help My Dad — Your Reusable Bag Suggestions Requested

By: basyfeltn

basyfeltn — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:51:26 +0000

Walmart sells some stuff bags near the register with clips that are very handy to clip to your keys. it would be a good way for your dad to remember his bags, if he lays or hangs his keys near the door when he comes in.

By: Allison Dey

Allison Dey — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 08:12:27 +0000

I use 3-4 large tote bags with boxed bottoms. The groceries fit better, I can carry one over each shoulder and one in each hand. These replace 15-20 plastic bags that often only get 4-5 items put in before a new bag is packed by the grocer.

By: Cynthia in Denver

Cynthia in Denver — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:09:46 +0000

My husband is a bit of tree hugger himself, so no problem getting him to use his own bags (he’s better at remembering to bring them to the store than I am).

I did take a sewing class and made a reusable bag for him! That must be your solution for dear dad. If his daughter MADE him a reusable bag (or more) he cannot help but use them! Like the macaroni made necklace we made as children.

By: Robbie @ Going Green Mama

Robbie @ Going Green Mama — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:29:55 +0000

One thing I hadn’t seen on here is what he’s willing to carry. That can be a big differentiator. If you need to worry about size/weight because of his physical capabilities that needs to be considered too!

By: Robyn

Robyn — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:44:56 +0000

Not a car person, but I have been in the past, and keeping a few bags in the backseat was always a good reminder to get the rest for big trips.

My partner, who uses the bags as an indulgence for me, keeps a Chico bag (free from a green expo of some sort, has a legal office screen printed on it) in the glove box. I link another on my keychain for shopping that isn’t groceries, like crafts or gift shopping.
It helps to be a fan of pockets for that.

A Chico realistically carries 15 pounds, although the max is 20, as stated on the web site. I am noticing stretched seams on my oldest bags (4 years).
I’d not trust those few for glass jars. They are my leafy produce bags now.
A couple canvas bags for glass containers and a few lighter weight bags can get your dad started, I think.
The most bags I ever used was seven in one trip, but again, not with a car.
When I borrow my partners car, I often pop a cardboard box in the back, unload a few bags after store one, and reuse the bags straight away.

By: Succubus

Succubus — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 07:10:31 +0000

Here in germany there are many folded bags you can buy at the stores. Most of them are so small, you can carry them at your keychain.
For my wedding I gave this ones as a pesent for our guests: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xs8mGybLL._SS400_.jpg
so all of our family now use them.
I take 3-4 of my strawberrys for shopping, thats enough.

Here are also many cotton bags with a nice picture of the hometown.The older people like this one very much.

By: Ann

Ann — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:12:35 +0000

While I am the one who insisted that we stop using plastic, my husband figured out how to ensure we never forget the bags. After coming home from the grocery store, they are folded and placed on the counter as they are emptied. Meanwhile, the trunk of the car stays open. Once all of the bags are emptied and folded, someone (normally my husband) takes them out to the car and closes the trunk. While he will still use a plastic bag, I do not. Grocery store, liquor store, department store, I carry my own bags.

By: mrs spock

mrs spock — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:23:41 +0000

We keep a 5-pack on Envirosax in the trunk in each car. One 5-pack is enough for my husband, but I have 2 5-packs, as I do the bulk of the shopping. 10 bags are sufficient enough. We throw them in with our cloth napkins to clean them and hang to dry.

By: Practical Parsimony

Practical Parsimony — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:47:53 +0000

I get all my bags free or for a quarter from yardsales and thrift stores. The cheap paper-like ones are really too flimsy for the investment. I like the canvass bags. If he has more bags than he needs in the car, then having some there will always be an option. I forget bags and home and forget them in the car. One day, I was so disgusted at leaving the bags in the car that I told the bagger to put it all back in the cart, that I would bag them myself as I put the groceries in the car. I did! Thankfully, it has never been raining or too cold.

I have a great assortment of bags that came from schools and universities, espousing all sorts of things, some decorative, some plainish. I don’t mind the neighborhood watch bag from a nearby city or the home decorated ones.

It would be great if all cities implemented any sort of measures to help eliminate plastic bags.

By: Tanya

Tanya — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 05:37:22 +0000

Just a thought about the comment that he may need 20 bags per trip in addition to your advice that a reusable bag holds more, I would suggest not buying quite as much in each trip. Why? Because when we make more frequent trips to the store for food we can buy more fresh food items (vegetables and fruit) on each visit since they will be used quickly which makes for a healthier you. Also getting out to interact with others on a regular basis can be healthier for us too. We need positive human interaction to maintain a positive life attitude. So he may only need 2 or 3 bags at most and these could easily fit in his vehicle, I hope.