never accept a plastic bag

with how this goal is going. I’ve been much more conscientious about using my cloth bags, and have discovered that when I occasionally forget them or have an unexpected shopping trip, I can just carry my merchandise to the car in my arms (my receipt clenched in my fist, in case someone should ask).

We try to recycle all plastic that does come into the house. I’ve bought biodegradable garbage bags for disposal of items that can’t be recycled or composted (would rather not have any landfill, but what can you do).

I feel good that my kids are witnessing my use of cloth bags and refusal of plastic. And that people behind me in line are hearing me say that I have my own bags, or that I don’t need a plastic bag for a couple of items. It’s like spreading the word by example.

For a similar reason, I like having this goal on my list on 43T. Perhaps it is something I can never cross off as “done”, but anyone who stumbles upon my list will see it, and if they don’t already refuse plastic, maybe it will inspire them to.

A few times when I’ve been out without my reuseable bags, I’ve either put my purchases in my purse, or just carried them in my hands. The sales people sometimes look at you as if you’re nuts. I was in the grocery store without my bags, so I just loaded my stuff on the tray of the self-scan station without packing it in the plastic bags. The guy working there actually came over to show me how to use the bags, and looked kind of confused when I thanked him for his help but still declined to use them.

I bought a new backpack for Bubs, and refused the plastic bag. The poor woman insisted on tying the bag to the strap of the backpack—she wouldn’t let me leave the store without it.