We spent several days in London, co ministering with the Calvary Shoreline London team, and while I have much to share on that..my mind is still processing it all as well as a bit mushy from lack of sleep. So I'll start with something that struck me since I have been home from the UK...They have some great ideas when it comes to recycling!
In London it is the rule, not the exception that you BYOB, bring your own bags!! In fact they do several things to encourage this! The first is adorable reusable bags! Some are made of a hemp, some of canvas, some with just a smart logo of the store, say "Budgens" in the lower corner, written in cursive. Some have adorable pictures, flowers, ladybugs....and so on. All very desirable to carry!!
Most cost under 3$(American)!!Not only are they great for your food items, but because of the design you want to use them!
Second is that the stores, or at least one of them, gives you "points" for using your own bags, which you use as savings when you reach a certain amount of points......
I am not a earthy crunchy, save the trees/whales/planet kinda gal. At least not in the carry a sign wear a t-shirt worship the earth sort of way. BUT I do whole heartily support the idea of recycling & tossing less paper & plastic into our landfills!SO why don't our stores follow suit? If our stores offered a variety of bags to purchase, that were half as fun as the ones we saw in London, I know ton's of people who would gladly purchase these for their shopping needs....I bought a couple & love having them to use, my only wish is that I bought a few more!!
Hoping and praying the good ole US will pick up on this & give it a try!
K~
It's a great idea! The COSTCO here does that...you want it bagged...you bring/buy your own bag! Beats picking up small items from all over and "under" the back seat; bought the bags and leave them stashed in the cart for use!
ReplyDeleteIt is shocking that the U.S. hasn't moved to requiring shoppers to bring their own bags of pay for the paper or nylon ones provided. Even in our little backwoods Republic of Macedonia they started charging 4 cents a piece for the nylon grocery sacks over two years ago.
ReplyDeleteNow I see that Target has a shopping bag you can buy (well at their San Diego locations) and most grocery stores do, too. It doesn't take that much effort to adapt to carrying your own bags. It was easy to learn to do so in MK because I walk everywhere for my groceries and a few miles of carrying those nylon sacks digging into my palms was all it took!