B.Y.O.Bag Project (A movement to save the environment one bag at a time)

If I could just remember to get the bags out of my car! Once I just left my cart at the 3rd place in line and went and got my bags. Other women said “Oh! I forgot my bags too!” and left to go get theirs. No one got mad that I left my cart.

If I forget to bring them, I usually buy another reusable bag from the store. I have a whole collection now. I now carry at least one in my purse at all times.

I’ve been meaning to write this entry ever since I took up this goal months ago.
I have a pretty good plastic bag policy: I don’t buy them. Especially not when I’m buying groceries. If someone offers me a plastic bag, I say no.
Instead of buying bags I try to always have my light green cotton bag with me, I’ve had it for years.

My only concern with plastic bags is that we do need them for our trash. :/ I wish there was some better way to contain things that are going to the dumpster and later to the garbage dump. Sadly we don’t have that many recycling options in our neighbourhood.

Canvas bags I use from Whole Foods. I keep them in the back of my car so I won’t forget to use them. I’ve yet to use them at another store though.

I was on my way into the grocery store yesterday to do enough shopping to actually need a bag and about half way up the parking lot I remembered that I had a canvas bag in the trunk for just such an occasion. I turned around and went back for it. I was so proud of myself.
Usually I buy so few items at a store that I just refuse the plastic bag. The clerks rarely hear my request the first time and are so busy putting the item into the bag that I have to tell them a few more times that no, I don’t need a bag for a box of macaroni and cheese or my little bottle of pills.
When I worked in a bookstore, I used to ask everyone whether or not they wanted a bag. Half the time they’d say no. I’d like more stores to start asking this question. When you offer people a choice, it seems like they actually take the time to look at their purchases and realize that they could easily carry the two books or three foodstuffs easily.
Also, a little tip that my family has been using for years now. Take a plastic milk jug and cut a smallish hole in one of the sides. Then stuff all your plastic bags into the jug through the hole on the side or the one in the top. Then take the jug with you into the store and you’ll have as many bags as you need. Keep the jug in the car and it’ll always be around.
Happy BYOBag-ging!

Wow a friend just sent me this – talk about synchronicity, just earlier today I was telling hubby that I want to make lots of bags. Here’s a site with a free pattern and mission to get involved and make lots of free recycled fabric bags. The pattern is pretty basic but it looks very strong given a good choice of fabric. So all you fellow procrastinators – what excuses do we have now not to join in?

I knit, and I found a pattern for a shopping bag on lionbrand.com, in their free pattern library. It’s called the eco-friendly expandable shopping bag. It takes 3 50 gram balls of yarn in two different colors, and 2 different sized needles. It’s a VERY easy pattern, and anyone with some beginning skills can make it. I’ve got mine started, it’s going to be dark lavender around the edges and sage green on the inside. Do a search and you’ll find it!

I have not been able to remember to bring my reusable bag to stores, but I have been saying almost everywhere I go, “I don’t need a bag.” It’s a step in the right direction.

Look what they just got in today at our Safeways! Yay!

Recently when I go to stores. If I forget a bag for shopping and the people at the store start packing my items into a plastic bag, I just tell them that I don’t need the plastic bag. I get cheers from some people, while some people look at me confused. Sometimes I just explain to them that I’m part of the BYOBag movement and they become intrigued.

So hurray! I’m refusing plastic bags! Though I notice I’m getting pretty low with trash bags! >,<

Any hints? Remember to spread the word to more people to join the movement!

I was going to make a special trip to one of the retailers near here later this week, but today we were out in North Van (at lonsdale quay market) and passed a lovely little boutique called Favourite, which had the very bag I wanted (the windmill one – see my last post for a pic) on the wall. It folds up remarkably small and I’m going to keep it right in my purse. Markus is planning to get one as well (he liked the one above).

Favourite seems like a great place – they sell locally made crafts and are all about using paper bags. I decided I didn’t need a bag (even an environmentally friendly one) for my bag.

Their BYOB selection (online). I’m thinking these will make great xmas gifts too.

Cheers!