TIP #2

#2: Always bring your own bag(s).

There are 4 main reasons you should always bring your own reusable shopping bags:

1. You'll help cut down on unnecessary waste.
2. They're sturdier than the standard plastic bag, so your new goods are less likely to spill out in the middle of the parking lot.
3. They have a larger capacity than the standard plastic bag, which means fewer bags for you to carry.
4. You'll save money.

Probably the main reason I always try to bring my own bags is to cut down on clutter around my house. When I do get plastic bags while out shopping, I try to save them and reuse them, which is better than just throwing them in the trash, but they inevitably wind up taking over the closet or cabinet where I stash them, exploding out at inopportune moments. Plus, the fewer plastic bags I take, the fewer plastic bags eventually go to the landfills.

The sturdiness is another major factor, especially at clothing stores where they leave the clothes on the hangers. I have had so many plastic shopping bags rip from hangers, sharp plastic packaging, books, etc., which can be quite inconvenient if you're carrying 6 bags and your purse through a large parking lot when everything tumbles through the bottom of a ripped bag.

Likewise, the capacity is a huge help, especially when buying lightweight items. Things like pillows, fleece throws, dog beds, plastic storage boxes, and even clothes can take up a large amount of space without weighing a lot. By bringing my own large capacity reusable bags, like the ones I get from IKEA, I can fit way more items per bag, decreasing the number of bags I have to carry but not usually making the weight per bag unbearable.

Finally, while it's not one of the reasons I bring my own bags, getting a little money off a purchase for each reusable bag I fill isn't a bad perk. Stores like Target and Giant will give you a set amount off per reusable bag filled; I believe it's $0.05/bag at those two stores. So it's not a huge savings, but it's not bad, either... every little bit helps!

Read through to learn where to dispose of your plastic bags and where to get great reusable bags.