How I did it: in the area of toronto i lived in, grocery bags cost 25 cents a grocery bag in an effort to encourage recycling. i picked up the habit. people in the supermarket would even look at you funny if you came into the supermarket regularly but never had your own bags. everyone saved money and that was that. now that im back in the US, i still use my cloth grocery bags. at my local grocery store you save 2 cents per cloth bag you bring in. every little bit helps right?

Lessons & tips: get a sturdy bag. when i first bought cloth bags i got a nylon one that could fold into a little pouch. it's cute, but the thin material has not withstood the weight of groceries well. instead, burlap or a natural, thicker fabric might be better. cotton works great.

Resources: usually there are cloth bags right at the grocery store but there are always sexier options at target and the like.

Feb 04, 2009, 09:23PM PST | 0 comments | 4 cheers