Modern Daisy Hippee

I’ve been using reusable bags for groceries for quite some time now.  I typically shop at one of the whole food markets or the farmer’s market.  Bringing your own bags is appreciated there.  I have noticed however that one store thanks me for bringing in my own bags, which made me look around to see how many others did it…  not many I’m sad to say.  Why is it so difficult?  I have a plethora of bags because once I decided to go reusable, I’d simply buy another one or two if I forgot the ones I already had.  That got me to remember after a few times.  I also make a point to keep at least 2 or 3 in the car all the time.

So, back to the point…  It’s not the social norm for take-out places to offer up a reusable bags, so if you’re going to do it, you’ll have no choice except to remember your own.

I frequent a little take-out place that cooks up fresh food with real ingredients.  It’s not as controlled as cooking at home, although it’s about as close as I’ll get when I don’t want to cook.  At times, I’m getting only one item & possibly a condiment.  One day I just asked myself, “Why am I even getting a bag?  I’m just putting my item in there to take it home.  It makes no sense to generate a piece of trash for this short trip.”  That day I simply carried my item without a bag.

As I mentioned, this is NOT the social norm.  The lady, who waits on me frequently, looked at me like I was a little crazy when I informed her I did not need a bag.  I could tell this had NEVER happened before.  I have to be honest about this too…  I was not surprised at all by her reaction.  After the crazy look, I simply said, “less trash”.

The next time I went to my I’m-too-lazy-to-cook-today spot, I took a small reusable bag with me.  For one reason, it was a little easier to carry in a bag & I didn’t have to worry about leakage on my car seat.  Another reason is that the bag would keep my food warm.  In fact, this one would work a whole lot better than paper because it was plastic & thicker.  Yep, worked like a charm.

AND, I didn’t get the same crazy look when I said no thanks to the disposable bag.  In fact, it was accepted & maybe even expected.  Yay!  She totally got it.  Maybe she’ll start using reusable bags too.  Then someone else.  Then someone else.  Then someone else.  Get it?

Take a bold step once in a while.  If you see an opportunity to reduce, just take it.  What have you got to lose?

I realize I spend a ton of time going through stuff I don’t need nor want.   Not to mention the waste of our earthly resources…  OK, I am mentioning it.

The amount of paper wasted on coupons that end up getting trashed is ridiculous.  Of course, I toss mine in the recycle bin…  still, it’s a waste because I never need ANY of the coupons or ads that are included.  I buy organic & earth friendly as much as possible…  sadly, that lifestyle doesn’t seem to be supported in the ads & coupons I typically receive in the mass mail.

Back to the point…  I’d rather not have my mailbox stuffed with crap I don’t need.  It’s a waste of paper, landfill space and/or recycling energy and my own personal time I must spend going through it & finding the best way to dispose of it.

Great news for those who feel the same.  You can get off the mailing lists.  The most direct method is to contact the company who is sending you the information.  These days you can usually do this online & it’s fairly simple.  Go to the company’s website & many have an option to be removed from their mailing list.  It could be a separate form just for that or it could be one of the options incorporated on their email contact form.  You could also simply email them & request you be removed.  Of course you need to provide the relevant information, such as your mailing address.

I did this a while ago with some financial companies who were sending me multiple offers each week & I’m happy to report the volume of my mail has decreased.  Yay!!!  I’m excited to stop receiving the irrelevant ads soon as well!