My Resolution- Reusable Bags- My Results and Reactions

Hello all, and Happy New Year! So this post is a bit different, it's not about animals or wildlife, directly. It has to do with a little experiment of sorts. This past year I have made the effort to use reusable bags when shopping. It was my New Years Resolution. I keep a few in my car, take them with me into stores, and return them to my car once I've unloaded the goodies at my house. Not only is it better for the environment, but it's better for my mom's closet that has been plagued with plastic bags from stores intended for a future use. 

It has been very interesting to observe what kind of reactions I get from cashiers and store clerks when I say "I've brought my own bags," or ask them to load my bags instead of theirs. Some cashiers don't seem to care, they don't say anything other than "OK". I can interpret this is one of three ways: 1) They don't care about the environment or anyone's efforts to help it, or 2) They don't care about their job, or 3) most optimistically, people using reusable bags is now a lot more common, and they are not surprised I brought a few. 

Some cashiers are very happy! A few notable reactions sounded like this: "That's great!", "Yeah, you see so many plastic bags on the beach, it's sad.", and "We go through so many bags, glad to see someone bringing their own." 

I was a bit annoyed at one store in particular that made me take a plastic bag, in order to know that I had purchased the item. Was printing up a receipt not enough? Or allow me to suggest what other stores do: use a "paid for" sticker, which is much less wasteful. I was even more peeved because the item was a pair of shoes, which were already contained in a box.

I've noticed a change in my own attitude, too. I feel proud walking into a store with reusable bags in my hands, as if making a statement. On the other hand, I now feel incredibly guilty if I buy things and have to use a plastic bag because I forgot my reusable ones! Forcing myself to look at how many plastic bags I use also conditioned my mind to recognize other wasteful things. For example, for Christmas I was given a box of chocolates. Normally, I would have dug right into it and mindlessly launched myself closer to diabetes. However, I first paused to look at the tremendous amount of packaging around my treats: plastic wrap, over a decorative holiday paper, then a cardboard box, with two plastic trays, separated by two paper cushions, holding candies all in individual paper cups. And, I thought to myself, between bites of chocolate, "How wasteful..." I bet if you start thinking about how much unnecessary plastic and paper packaging there is surrounding everyday items you'd come to the same conclusion. 

Using less plastic bags is also contagious! My family has started adopting my reusable bag habit. My mother keeps several in her car, and my dad will ask for no bags when buying only a few items. Even if it's just a few of us, the amount of bags we save adds up. I plan on continuing my effort to reduce the amount of plastic bags I use, and I encourage every one of you to do the same! Or, if not plastic bags, make an effort to be less wasteful in general. Every little bit counts! 

Thanks for reading everyone, and make sure you come back soon!