do you use tote bags instead of plastic grocery bags?  

I always thought this was such a great idea, to use tote bags, but of course, never followed through with it except for once. I bought a small, fold-up tote bag that I kept in my purse and ONE time I remembered that I had it with me and so I used it for my grocery purchases.

Recently I was at Jewel Osco (also known as Albertson's), and they were selling tote bags for $1 each. So I bought 4 or 5 and I used them instead of putting my groceries into plastic bags. The bags are green and they say "Earth Day Every Day", which is one of my favorite sayings and there's a pic of Earth on the bag. I was impressed with the tote bags and here's why:

#1 Much better for the environment, which includes us, ya know.

#2 Held a WHOLE lot more than those little plastic grocery bags

#3 A lot more sturdier than those flimsy plastic bags too!

Today we were at Wal-Mart, getting into a line to check out and I notice tote bags! $1 each. They're black and in white iron-on lettering they say, 'paper or plastic?' and underneath that, in green iron-on lettering, it says 'neither'.

Now I like the saying, I like how the green stands out on the black. But iron-on? COME ON, WAL-MART, HOW CHEAP CAN YOU GET?

So we buy 5 of them to use for our groceries. The guy checking us out doesn't use them though. I grab a bag and notice that unless you carry a pair of heavy duty scissors with you, you cannot use these tote bags on your first purchase. They are plastic tied shut.

Then what's the point? Yes, I know I can use them for my next visit, but make them useable right away!

I really like the idea of being able to buy a tote bag right there, in the store, before you check out, so you can use the tote bag instead of a plastic bag. I've always seen those "market bags" that the "green" companies sell at a high price and I'm happy to see that finally, someone is selling a tote bag at a price the majority of the world can deal with.

So...how about you? Paper, plastic or neither? ;)