Reusable Bags

I kind of hate posting bc then it edges out the last post. But, I assume one day we will attribute our blog's success to frequent posts.

In this post, I wish to tout reusable totes.

I was slow to join this bandwagon because I already tried to remember to reuse the regular old plastic bags. But usually I'd forget to bring them. Plus, they're trashy--keeping them around just looks like you're holding onto garbage.

But, when I was admonished by Paul and David in September, I decided to buy a bunch of canvas bags (Vitamin Cottage's are blue and plain and $.99 each) and try them out. I will tell you, I will never go back to plastic bags!! First of all, canvas bags (esp the square-bottomed ones) are so roomy and they hold their shape. Therefore, I probably save 5 - 10 plastic bags for every ONE canvas bag I use. People talk about not having an impact, but COME ON!! It's SO EASY!!

Plus, they look better. *appealing to our baser motivations*

Here are some other discoveries I have made:

Environmental Impact #2. I bought a reusable polycarbonate bottle to drink water out of. I don't know about you, but I love drinking out of a bottle. I much prefer grabbing a bottle of water than pouring a glass. Am I lazy? Have an oral fixation? Who knows. But having this little guy has already saved countless water bottles. Even though I used to reuse the disposable kind to a dangerous point (think: thinning, yellowing plastic).

Environmental Impact #3. I have a coffee mug in my bag at all times. I used to be a big Starbucks-coffee drinker. Not the fancy drinks, just a hot brewed coffee with room for cream. But say I went in for a cup every day during the week. That's 260 cups per year. Imagine what that would look like in a landfill! Not only that, but sometimes I'd go in for an afternoon cup or on the weekends. Sometimes I wonder if we had to hold onto our garbage for a month, maybe we'd realize how much we're creating. But anyways, I wanted to let all the fancy coffee drinkers out there know that Starbucks will make a latte in a clean mug, too!*

Environmental Impact #4. Household cleaning products. Dave and I pledged to be chemical-free by '03** and we are way behind. I was reading about getting pregnant and one of the suggestions (warnings) is to avoid household cleaning products. I think that's why I hate to clean***--because the thought of inhaling the noxious chemically smells of cleaning products is such a turn-off. So, I have started using white vinegar. It actually works BETTER than a lot of other stuff I have tried (esp for cleaning shower scum!). It does mean a little extra elbow-grease, and I can't say the smell is PLEASANT, but1. it works, 2. it's not dangerous to a fetus, and 3. who doesn't like the smell of pickles?****

*OR, if you forget to clean your mug (so I hear), they'll rinse out your mug with 500 degree water first!
**Dave and I didn't meet until '06, but '03 rhymes. Plus, it creates a sense of urgency since it implies we are so far past our deadline.
***no it's not. I'm just lazy.
****the smell really does fade. I promise.