Paper or plastic? Neither.

This is the slogan printed on Wal-mart's reusable shopping bags. It seems like most stores are now selling or offering reusable shopping bags in order to cut down on the production and disposal of plastic bags, which is great!

This past Earth Day, many stores gave away free reusable bags or sold them at a discount. I thought it was time to do our part to help the environment, so I purchased 8 bags from a nearby grocery store for $.50 each. Since then, we have doubled our stash by picking up free reusable shopping bags from Home Depot, Babies R' Us, Wal-mart, and events we've attended. We have even added a reusable zip top insulated bag that we purchased for $1.50 at the Navy Commissary.

I often forget to take the bags in to the store with me, but as time goes by I am getting better at remembering. It helps that most of the grocery stores here offer $.05 cents off your order for each reusable bag you use.

The reusable bags that grocery stores sell are great - be sure to get the ones that have the plastic board in the bottom (it keeps the bag stable when filling it and carrying it). I personally love that the handles are long enough that I can carry them on my shoulder. You can also pack them way fuller than you can pack a plastic or paper grocery bag. Here is a picture of part of our stash.


If you don't have the cash to buy reusable bags, Martha Stewart tells you how to make your own bags out of old t-shirts!! Not only will you be cutting down on plastic bags, you will also be giving new purpose to clothing you no longer wear. And you can get a free Target shopping bag by mailing them 5 Target plastic bags from your last shopping trip. Hurry - this offer ends on 11/30/2008!