I find that the best way not to forget the carrier bags is to confess to Beth each week – it’s like a switch flipped in my head, and suddenly I can’t take the plastic bags at the supermarket! I think I may be contributing more in greenhouse gasses at the moment, since I’ll return home for the bags if I find myself without them, but the experience of doing that once or twice helps me remember.

The CSA conversation is tough – I’ve had it now with my CSA, and the farmers market in Tucson. I imagine they feel like they are already doing so much that’s “green” that I feel almost guilty asking “but could you package the organic local produce differently?” I found it helpful to provide the farmers market with links to other markets that have abandoned plastic bags – to show them that it’s part of a movement. I wonder if there are similar CSA examples out there…

And thanks for the site and the challenge!
Susan

I also have plastic coming into my CSA, which was a real bummer for me. But not much, and compared to the plastic on the produce at the store….barely anything!

If you got rid of the plastic bags, you’d have a pretty small pile there! If I forgot my reusable shopping bags, I just refuse bags altogether. Especially with the Big Lots trip, it might be something you could do without since the items are mostly big. I’d throw the small things in my purse and keep the rest in the cart and just unload it into my car. It’s not convenient, for sure, but it usually makes me remember the next time.

I agree with Beth about the Chico bags. I have three: one in my purse, one on the backpack we use for the kids, and another on the messenger bag I take to work. You got the key, though: remembering to return the bags back to the car or your purse immediately after you’ve emptied them. (I usually put the grocery bags right by the door so I remember to take them out the next time I go to the car.)

As for produce bags, I also have a few reusuables for those, but mostly I just don’t pick them up at all. If you have something that you feel really needs a bag like greens or herbs, check around the produce department. They may have paper towels you can use to wrap those. It’s still something disposable but it’s better than plastic. (Or maybe you can compost them like we can in our city!)

I was also in a CSA that used plastic bags. It seemed odd to me that they would do that. I quit because we weren’t using all the produce before it went bad, but the plastic really bugged me. Hopefully, they’ll change if you reach out to them.

Finally, I’ve been eying these insulated Klean Kanteens for a while. They’re expensive, but if it saved some plastic it would be worth it:

http://www.getngreen.com/store/Departments/Klean-Kanteen-Bottles/Klean-Kanteen-Wide-Mouth-Insulated-Bottle.aspx

They do have a plastic top, but hopefully, it will last many years.

Nice job!
Sharonus

1) Have you considered carrying Chico Bags? Yes, they are made from polyester, which is actually plastic. But they are strong and extremely convenient since they scrunch up into their own little attached stuff sack, and you can just toss them in your purse. That way, you always have a bag with you no matter what. I think it’s probably easier to remember to put a bag back in your purse than in the car. Plus, you won’t leave your bags in the car when you go into the store, and you’ll still have one with you even if you don’t have your car that day.

2) You don’t really need to buy travel utensils. You can just use what you have already and roll them in a cloth napkin. Here are instructions for making your own utensil roll — without even sewing! http://fakeplasticfish.com/2009/11/practically-green-book-give-away-challenge/

I hope you will talk to the CSA manager. I’ll bet there are some things that don’t need a plastic bag.

No need to be militant. If everyone were vigilant, we’d have a better world!