Will this be the year reusable grocery bags go mainstream? Let's hope so, because most major grocery stores in the area are doing their part. Nearly every grocery chain now sells a nice reusable bag (with their name on it) for about a dollar. Now it's up to us, the customers. So far, most Americans have not gotten into the mindset - prevalent in Europe - of bringing bags back to the grocery store. It doesn't have to be the store's bag, it can be any reusable bags, or even disposable plastic or paper bags that you reuse a bunch of times. Somehow we just need to remember to do it. So let's take a look at some of the great options now available here in the Seattle area if you want to Bring Your Own Bag.
Image: Ad Bag by Alchemy Goods
PCC
As usual on green issues, PCC (Puget Consumers Co-op) has led the way. Last October, PCC discontinued the use of plastic bags at its nine Seattle-area grocery stores. You can take home your groceries in paper bags if you like, but PCC would really like customers to go reusable, preferably with one of PCC's two signature bags. They sell both at cost - A purple polypropylene bag (my personal favorite - nice color) for 73 cents and a larger canvas tote for $4.61.
Fred Meyer
Some people love to hate Fred Meyer, possibly they are owned by Kroger, the nation's largest grocery chain. But give Freddie's some credit - They are really pushing their reusable grocery bags. A few weeks ago I saw a Fred Meyer TV commercial in prime time, just to promote these bags, with a message similar to the nice presentation on their website. At their stores throughout the area, they sell two sizes, both under a dollar. Their sister chain QFC (also owned by Kroger) sells similar bags for around a dollar.
Trader Joe's
This national chain with 11 Puget Sound-area stores offers an attractive bag some folks love, for 99 cents. Some TJ's stores may sell additional types of reusable bags for $2 or so.
Whole Foods
Fitting its green ethic, this national chain announced in January that it would stop giving out disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts at all of its 270 stores by this Earth Day, April 22, 2008. Whole Foods, which has two stores in Seattle and two on the Eastside, also sells several reusable bags, including one for 99 cents made from recycled plastic bottles.
Half Price Books
Some folks find their favorite reusable bags for groceries at places other than grocery stores. For example, Half Price Books - a 15-state chain selling new and used books, with eight stores in the Seattle metro area - has a nice, long-handled big green cloth bag, which they sell for 98 cents. It seems super-strong, which makes sense since it was designed to carry books.
Ikea
The iconic international home furnishings chain with a store in Renton sells a mammoth blue plastic tote bag for 99 cents.
Alchemy Goods
For a more high-end but uber-cool tote bag you can use for groceries, check out the Alchemy Goods ad bag. Made in Seattle from old vinyl advertising banners, seat belts and bike inner tubes, these sell for $30. No two bags are alike. Although some people hate anything made from vinyl, most of the problems with vinyl are in production, and it's great to keep it out of the landfill. You can find these bags at about 15 retail locations in the Puget Sound area including Chinook Book coupon merchants Classic Cycle ($10 off a purchase of $50), Portage Bay Goods (20% off your entire purchase), Seattle Art Museum (2 for 1 admission) and Second Ascent ($5 off a purchase of $20, $10 off of $50, or $20 off of $100).
ReusableBags.com
If you still haven't found the reusable grocery bag of your dreams, try this Chicago-based mother-lode website for reusable bags.
With all these choices, it won't get much easier. Now the ball is in our court - or rather, the bag is in our hands.