Green List

Clearly plastic bags are a problem and “Green” bags do a lot to reduce the number that end up in landfill. The trouble is that I have collected a large number of these green bags. Why? Ordinary run of the mill shopping can be planned for. I know that I’m going shopping, so I grab the number of bags I think I’ll need and go. Easy.

Unfortunately I’ve found two problems:

1. Not bringing enough green bags
2. Im-promptu shopping (books, clothing, etc that are bought on a wim).

Usually in this situation I will buy another green bag to make up the shortfall. But I’m not really reducing when I do this. Hell, I’m not even re-using. It seems like my options are to carry more bags than I think I’ll need when I go shopping and to always carry a green bag (or two so as to not fall into the first problem again) when I go anywhere near places with shiny things I may want to buy.

This may help to get over the first problem, but how practical is it to carry around a green bag whenever you leave the house? Women may actually find this easier I suppose as they often carry handbags, in which some smaller green bags can fit quite perfectly. Usually my pockets are sufficient to carry around what I need, but they aren’t quite up to the task of holding a green bag.

The next option is to carry a backpack everywhere (which may indeed be beneficial given the other contents of my bag). This now leads to me carrying more than I need and being harrassed as I leave shops.

That’s why I am proposing a green bag credit program. Instead of buying green bags, you buy the right to a certain number of green bags. Return a green bag to a store (in good condition) to get a green bag credit. Use your green bag credits when you don’t have a green bag available to use.

With stores like Border’s now charging for plastic bags, maybe this is an option worth pursuing.