Friday, August 15, 2008

Going Green - Grocery Bags Part Deaux

I've been trying to be a good steward of our environment. No, I don't wear Greenpeace T-shirts and chain myself to businesses and get arrested. Yeah, I know...I'm boring. There was a big thing here in Knoxville yesterday wherein the Greenpeace people who were probably from parts far from here did that to a Kimberly Clark office. I mean c'mon, they were harassing the people who make toilet paper. The stuff disintegrates as soon as it gets wet. Anyway, I don't really recycle in the "recycle" sense of the word. However, I do re-use leftovers and have been getting better about using my re-usable grocery bags instead of forgetting them in the car.

There is a little snag in using these "green" bags if you're in a hurry as we all are these days and you try to use the self-service checkout at the grocery. If you've ever done the self-service thing, you know the platform with the bags where you place your scanned groceries is VERY weight sensitive. I placed my empty green bags on the platform and the little the machine went nuts. The poor woman that oversees these machine had to keep resetting my machine all the while the people in line behind me were getting frustrated. The store clerk told me the machines were incapable of being balanced for both the regular plastic bags and the reusable bags. What a conundrum or oxy-moron. Hmm, never thought I could use both those words in the same sentence.

My conclusion is this makes as much sense as inflating your tires to save on fuel. I will keep trying to remember to use my green bags and by the way, I prefer the bags I purchased at Kroger. Theirs have a little zipper compartment in them. I don't know what it is for, maybe for a pack of gum or a candy bar...it's pretty cool.

Have a great weekend!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

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Jenny said...

Good for you Katherine! I think we could all do better in this area. You've inspired me to check out those bags! Have a great weekend!

Marjie said...

I have a restaurant supply house deliver to me. No bags - they reuse their own milk crates about a zillion times - and no extra gas use, since they're driving through here anyway. We have business interests in Maryville. Love Knoxville, but don't get there often enough!

Anonymous said...

I have had just the same problem with the bags. The solution I have found is to not place the bags on the scale at all. Just scan all your merchandise and place it on the metal part. Then pay for it and bag it up after you get your receipt. It takes a little bit more time at the very end, but not near as much as having the clerk re-set the machine every scan. Hope this helps!

Prudy said...

Thanks so much for following up. I wondered what you decided to do and you've inspired me to give it a go. I'll keep you posted.

Paula said...

Oh gosh, I was wondering how those bags would work in the self check out. I almost always have a heaping cart load, so I rarely do the self check thing. Good to know, though. Hey, I want the zipper compartment! The bags I use are from Fred Meyer which is owned by Kroger. I did notice they are selling multiple sized bags. I'm getting better about remembering to bring them inside with me!

John Roberts said...

I properly inflated my tires last Thursday, and the price of gas dropped 2 cents the next day! I think this Obama is on to something. ;-)

Anonymous said...

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