Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
In my effort to save the planet, I've decided to switch away from using plastic bags. I already re-use the ones I do have, and try to minimize the number of times I get a bag. I want some moderately cute ones at a moderate price. Anybody got any suggestions?
I saw those, but how big are they? Am I going to need like 50 to hold all my groceries?
I mean, reusable bags seem like a good idea if I'm just going to the store for a few things, but I usually get a bunch of things. How many bags do I need? And how do you guys go about carrying them into the store?
This is way too complicated. I need Captain Planet. haha.
The green bags hold about as much as a regular shopping bag. I also have a larger bag that looks like a paperboy's bag. I use then when I'm getting heavy groceries.
I also walk three blocks home carrying my groceries so this makes fewer bags better.
I dont remember what the green bags cost but they were quite cheap. Depending on the store you might get a discount or some other incentive.
Whole Foods takes a little of your bill (10 cents I think) and Trader Joe's lets you enter a raffle for free groceries. I dont know what kind of place you have down there but I'd bet costwise you'd break even in about a year.
EDIT: I didnt answer your question about taking them into the store. They're pretty common here. I just take them in and throw them in the cart. Then hand them to the bagger when I start to check out. If they look at me funny I just say something like I brought my own bags.
Post by NothingButFlowers on May 5, 2008 17:40:12 GMT -5
They sell them at WholeFoods. It looks like there is one whole foods store in Birmingham. It says Mountain Brook, which means nothing to me, but might mean something to you. (I've been to Birmingham plenty, but I don't retain things like that.) I've never looked at our WholeFoods to see how much they cost, but the store in general can be pretty expensive.
It appears there are no Trader Joe's in Alabama, but I know they usually have a selection of a few different kinds. I looked on the website, but I couldn't find a picture of any, so I'll take pictures of mine when I get home. If you can't find anything else, I can go pick you up a few and send them to you.
Post by Steel_City_X on May 5, 2008 18:00:17 GMT -5
I picked up four on earth day at Safeway - nothing special, but they were 99 cents. I've seen them range from 1 dollar to 14 dollars.
I'll get a diverse collection - Sear, Safeway, Kroger, Lowes, Home Depot, then I won't feel bad about taking them all into a different store. I shop around depending on what I need.
All our local supermarkets (Kroger, Scotts, Meijer, even Wal-Mart) are selling pretty solid ones for 99c, $2.99 for an insulated version. Nice thick handles, hold 2 to 3 times the load of a regular bag but are actually easier to carry, plus they stand upright.
We bought a bunch...now we just have to remember not to leave them in the trunk when we go into the store...
Post by NothingButFlowers on May 5, 2008 18:42:42 GMT -5
Here's what I've got:
This one was only like $1. It's pretty roomy and sturdy. This one is insulated, so it was a bit more, but I can't remember how much it was. This one is canvas, and was only about $2. It has wine stains on it 'cause we are lushes. ;D
I actually use old cardboard boxes a lot. They are bulkier to carry in empty and I look a little strange but they hold a lot and are easy to carry. And they are reusable and recyclable.
Thanks and karma for thinking about these things.
Last Edit: May 5, 2008 20:14:19 GMT -5 by troo - Back to Top
Post by jambandjohn on May 5, 2008 21:03:49 GMT -5
We got cheap reusable bags at both Lowes Foods and Harris Teeter. Just remember to throw them back in your trunk after you unload your groceries. Took us a while to get in the habit. The stores don't care if you bring in someone elses bag, they're still saving money not having to supply bags...
Pathmark sells the bags they have animals and landscapes on them they're pretty huge. But to be honest it's a good way to piss off your cashier. I know these things. Don't request paper in plastic either or the eggs and bread go under the the rack of ribs and box of cat litter.
thats the ones we have. We have aquired about 20 of them over time. Thats the easiest way, just buy one when your there every week or so and after a while you will have several of them.
Now, we always take the cloth bags to the store, no more plastic for us!!
the problem is that when you go to wal mart or wherever to use them, the cashier is usually all pissy about it because it is harder for them to bag the stuff. There is no little stand for the bags to sit on while bagging. I always just tell them that I will do it....
They are only in 9 states (none in TN . . . GA and NC are the only states in the south that have them). But it is a grocery store that carries high quality, low costs products. (Have you ever been to WholeFoods? There aren't any of those in Knoxville, either, but they are more prevalant, I think. It's kind of like WholeFoods, but much, much cheaper.) They carry a lot of organic stuff. They also have a pretty good selection of wines and beers including Two Buck Chuck (it's actually Charles Shaw wine, but it sells for about $2.50 a bottle . . . hence, the nickname. You would expect $2 wine to be nasty, but it's actually not bad (notice I didn't say great). Whenever you go in there, there are ALWAYS people buying it.)
Oh man, I sooo wish we had Trader Joes up here. I have been to ones in GA and Hilari is right, all the organic stuff, and quality of the stuff vs price, you cant beat it!
thats the ones we have. We have aquired about 20 of them over time. Thats the easiest way, just buy one when your there every week or so and after a while you will have several of them.
Now, we always take the cloth bags to the store, no more plastic for us!!
the problem is that when you go to wal mart or wherever to use them, the cashier is usually all pissy about it because it is harder for them to bag the stuff. There is no little stand for the bags to sit on while bagging. I always just tell them that I will do it....
I use an LL Bean boat and tote bag, usually the L size. It holds about as much as you can fit in a basket + a few extra items. I have one with the long straps so I can throw it over my shoulder when I walk the 2 1/2 blocks homes.
I already own these bags (I have them in every size and color!) and it's nice to not have to buy a new bag.
I also always carry a large purse so when I stop off at CVS, I can just tuck my lotion and lipgloss in there. I've even done this when buying clothes at the mall.
Oh man, I sooo wish we had Trader Joes up here. I have been to ones in GA and Hilari is right, all the organic stuff, and quality of the stuff vs price, you cant beat it!
Maybe they will infiltrate TN one of these days!
They are!!! Link was too long, but here's a quote from the Tennessean on April 3:
"Trader Joe's, a national grocery store chain known for its eclectic mix of gourmet offerings, will arrive in Green Hills this fall, indicating that, despite a sputtering economy in many parts of the country, the Nashville area still offers a desirable location for retail.
The Monrovia, Calif.-based chain will open a 14,000-square-foot store at 3909 Hillsboro Pike, the former location of Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, said Trader Joe's spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki, director of national publicity."
Bamadancer, I got reusable bags at Target. At the Target I shop at, they have several sizes, and they're usually near the Dollar aisle or the checkouts. I got the medium size for $1.99. I use them when I can remember to bring them! Like someone else mentioned, I just need to get in the habit of putting them back in my car after I've unloaded my groceries. I take them to work on a regular basis to carry my lunch and other things.
And if I'm not mistaken, I've read a sign at my local Kroger that mentions taking some $ off your total bill for as many reusable bags that you bring in and use... but it may just be the Kroger I shop at. Worth checking in to!
I wish I had a Trader Joe's to shop at. They just keep building Walmarts around here. I got really excited about a small grocery store that opened downtown, but it turned out to be a poorly stocked, overpriced yuppie joint with about 1/3 of the store consisting of imported beer and wine.
Target has some nice reusble bags in different sizes from 99c to $1.49 The smallest one folds and zips up into a wallet sized packet. They're cuter than the ones from Walmart.
If you get the chance to go to a conference or trade show of some sort, scout the booths for freebie bags. You'll have to deal with the advertising for their company, but I got some really nice bags at places like this. Remembering to take them with you is a difficult habit to get into. I have to take them back out to the car right after I unload or I will forget.
Post by hollyanne0724 on May 7, 2008 19:40:08 GMT -5
The ones from home depot are HUGE and worth the money.. $5... if you remember to bring it... I am that girl who, if she forgets her bag, will shove it all in my purse... i refuse to take home plastic!
and Flowers thanks for the info (karma). I have never heard of wholefoods either... uhhh...we have a "Fresh" Market. They pretty much shelve not so quality food with super high prices. I will have to check out one of these other places next time I go to Yankeetown. ;D
*i like coconuts, you can break them open they smell like ladies lyin in the sun** *Hell I don't even know where I am** *for now I must sit here and ponder the yonder: The herbivores did well cause their food didn't never run** *We listen, if it feels good We shake** *You made a big impression for a girl of your size, Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes.**
and Flowers thanks for the info (karma). I have never heard of wholefoods either... uhhh...we have a "Fresh" Market. They pretty much shelve not so quality food with super high prices. I will have to check out one of these other places next time I go to Yankeetown. ;D
Thanks for the karma! Yeah, I almost never went to the Fresh Market when I lived in Knoxville. Although once, I did get some really good Chocolate Covered Marshmallows there.
do you have a Central Market, Trader Joe's or World Market?
I don't think Knoxville has any of those. I know there are not Trader Joe's there. I'm pretty sure the only ones of those in the south are here in Atlanta. I've never heard of Central Market or World Market. Are they similar to Trader Joe's?
I will have to check out one of these other places next time I go to Yankeetown. ;D 
