My new shopping bags

My grocery store is trying out a new product. Last night when I approached the check out counter (I think I was the only shopper in the store at 10:30 PM), there was a display of reusable shopping bags. Like these:

with this logo on it:

I liked the looks of them and I liked the feel of them, too. Not canvas, but some synthetic fabric that is extremely light-weight, flexible, and water proof. For $1 a bag, I thought why not. I grabbed three and tossed them on the check out conveyor.

The woman doing the bagging grabbed them after they’d been scanned and opened them up to start placing my groceries in them. That sort of surprised me.

I’d thought three wouldn’t be enough for what I bought. But that was old thinking based on those hideous plastic shopping bags. Everything I bought fit neatly in my new shopping bags. They were a heck of a lot easier to carry and they kept their shape as well as a paper bag. Not like those sloppy plastic bags that end up scattering several of my grocery items in the trunk of my car before I get home.

And, since it was pouring rain out, I also discovered that they really, truly are waterproof. The generous handles also made lugging them a lot easier.

Well, that was a pleasant surprise. I love these bags. They fit a HUGE amount of stuff. And, naturally, I can use them for toting other things, too.

Since, I was about the only customer in the store, I had a chance to talk with the cashier and the woman doing the bagging. I asked if many people were buying these bags and they said yes. Lots of people are. And that makes the store happy, too. They are growing tired of the plastic bags and having to mess with the recycling that they’re obligated to offer. And they’re also tired of empty bags blowing around the parking lot. They would really like to encourage people to adopt an alternative. Then I asked if the cashier and bagger liked using these bags in place of the flimsy plastic bags.

“Oh my gosh, yes,” the woman bagging my groceries said, “I like these a lot better than plastic bags. These make bagging so much easier. If everyone used them, we’d also have a lot fewer parking lot accidents. You’d be surprised how many people come back in after they leave the store telling us that the plastic bags came apart or fell open with their groceries rolling across the parking lot.”

The cashier vigorously nodded in agreement.

I really didn’t expect that reaction, but being one of those who has had groceries roll across the parking lot a couple of times, I’m not sure why I was surprised. Makes sense.

When I came home, I inspected the tag on the inside of one of the bags. The company who manufactures them is Earthwise Bag Co. and they offer them in lots of 10 or 20 or more for you and me. Stores can purchase them in bulk lots with personalized messages and logos, like the ones I bought.

This is a win-win for everyone. I’m really pleased with my new shopping bags. I wonder if the competing grocery store would mind if I use them over there? I’ll use them for all my shopping, actually.