I quickly noticed that everyone on the streets of Brisbane were carrying reusable shopping bags with them. However, the bags were a little different – they all looked the same – and many had store names on the front. As I began shopping I saw that nearly every store (in the mall even) had these bags for sale for $1-2 each. When you bought your groceries you would just add on the shopping bag to put them in. I began doing this – collecting bags as I went along. But I noticed that no one actually ‘reused’ the bags. They were not bringing bags with them each time – they were simply buying new ones. I need to do some research, but I do believe these bags are biodegradable, unlike plastic bags – so that is better. But it just seems like it’s the ‘cool thing’ to do – because the bags aren’t being reused each time. However, we must start somewhere – and this still is miles ahead of the US as far as plastic bags go – but it still doesn’t seem the best option.
eric said,
January 19, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
was that one reused?
it looks like there’s an old logo on there.
…or it could be part of the current one. i can’t really tell from half-way ’round the world!
jessica said,
January 19, 2008 @ 11:26 pm
jewel is selling reusable bags now. in elgin at least. i don’t know if those are better quality or not, but my mom didn’t get a chance to reuse her reusable jewel bag because it ripped the first time she used it. less sturdy than plastic! ridiculous!
aprilberardi said,
January 20, 2008 @ 8:39 pm
I bought a big green bag..it is made from recycled polypropasomething.
I mentioned it in my blog, then came to read your page, and saw this.
I am sooo excited and proud of my shopping bag. The kid that checked us out at the grocery store even said “dude, I’m so glad SOMEONE cares…why dont more people have those” and we joked about how it hasn’t become “trendy enough” yet.
anyhoo…this was an interesting read. not what I expected, I guess.
carrie said,
January 21, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
Megan,
That’s so fascinating!
Glad you’re having a wonderful time!
Megan said,
January 30, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
Eric -
The logo you see thru the bag is actually a plastic bag from a clothing store called ‘Tightrope’ – I think she bought the blue reusable bag after a day of shopping.
Jessica –
I could see these breaking too – it depends on the store. The grocery stores seemed to have better constructed, better designed bags for holding lots of groceries. The clothing stores just had smaller bags that weren’t as useful when shopping for anything other than clothes.
April -
I am so excited for you! Every time I hear of someone else using reusable bags my heart flutters a little…lol. Even my brother asked for reusable shopping bags for Christmas this year! I was happy to buy them for him! It takes a little bit to get in a routine and find the right bags for you – I first bought many large bags from thrift stores – especially when we had 2 cars – I could keep some in each car and some in the house – so we never were without. The hardest part is remembering them. And having enough of them! But even saving 1 plastic bag is better than none. I like the ones that fold up small to fit in your purse – those are the most useful to me – they were small enough I even took them to Australia – and I keep one in my bookbag (which once school starts holds my life) – so they’re very handy!
Magik Quilter said,
February 9, 2008 @ 8:32 am
Hi Megan, typically I only discovered your blog after you came home from Oz. We do reuse those grocery bags, usually with the weekly shop……..we personally use about 6 to 8 for our weekly shop. They are very heavy though and they fill them to capacity so they often break. You can also pay 15cents for paper bags and you get 3cents back when you reuse them…that seems a little strange unless you use lots at once as 3cents doesn’t really register.
Most people reuse them but some people don’t and they think that $1 a bag each time isn’t much but it is the excess that is the problem…..there is a glut of them around. I think they get donated to charity shops so they can use them instead of plastic. I make my own bags from pretty fabrics that as you say can be folded into a bag for use. I have also swapped to smaller handbags and make pretty bigger bags to go with them for shopping,sunnies,sunscreen,umbrella etc, then there is still room for shopping. Great blog.
Let me know if you come with David next time, we could take you to lunch. Good thing you are doing with Lent.