Since last we discussed the evils of plastic (or paper) grocery bags, I’ve seen a growing number of people toting their own bags to the grocery store.

Maybe its due to the proliferation of reusable bags around the Publix check out or Whole Foods complete eradication of the plastic bag, or maybe its just that people in the U.S. don’t want to be shown up by China. But whatever it is, reusable bags are seeing an upsurge like never before.

But what about the DeKalb Farmer’s Market? That Georgia-famous warehouse of chaos where one can purchase an endless variety of quality fruits/veggies/meats/spices/alcohol at a discount price (as long as you’re willing to give and take a few elbows to the face)?

We’ll, according to Deryck, its a little behind the times…

…When I entered with bags in the cart, I was told that it would be necessary to check them at the information counter. They provided a plastic numbered card. That’s easy. But wait!, you cannot retrieve your bag, an employee must do this for you when you checkout. The cashier must shout out “bag check” to get the person who eventually arrives and then gets your bag.

Meanwhile you have a lot of angry people behind you wondering why the cashier cannot complete your transaction. This slows down the process, aggravates you, the cashier and those waiting in line. They’re all usually nice folks I might add. This procedure is extremely inefficient and creates a very unpleasant shopping experience for all parties including the staff. It gives one the impression that conservation is just too damn difficult to be worthwhile. Why not place the bag retrieving person(s) at the exit doors to check the receipts of those leaving with their own bags?

On the flip side…My wife says that she has taken her bags into the store with her and not been stopped. But maybe she just got lucky.

Regardless, Deryck is right. The current setup obviously dissuades the use of reusable bags. It’s much worse than being glared at by angry baggers (barely any of that at Publix anymore BTW). Angering other shoppers is, in many ways, an even a bigger deterrent.

For an organization with such a large recycle center on site, DFM should make reusable bags easy to use. This might require a change to the way things have always been done in the past, either with a Costco-style receipt checker or designated types of bags that can be taken into the store…just thinking out loud here.

Ultimately, it goes without saying that if reusable bags continue to increase in popularity, the Farmer’s Market is going to need to alter its current “check your bags at the door” policy in order to retain a significant contingent of customers that don’t want to take home 3 dozen plastic bags.

How?

By putting the equivalent of a 33 cent tax on each bag back in 2002. Today the bags are socially unacceptable and virtually no one ever picks them up.

Just another option.

Let’s do a little myth-busting this morning, inspired by an insightful comment by “lady clay” in our “Whole Foods Does Away with Plastic Grocery Bags” posting.

Like many people, I assumed that plastic grocery bags were much more harmful to the environment than paper ones.  Well, you know what they say about assuming…

After reading lady clay’s comment about paper bags being just as harmful as plastic, I did a little internet sleuthing (a.k.a. typing it into Google) and discovered a plethora of data that supported her assertion.

Here’s the lowdown: While paper can be added to compost (unlike plastic), it requires a lot more energy to produce since it needs to be harvested from trees and it takes up a lot more space in our landfills.  This article from the Environmental Literacy Council sums it up nicely.

So, don’t be like me and assume that paper bags are any better for the environment than plastic.  Buy a few reusable bags and if any baggers give you a nasty look, just grin and bear it for a good cause.

A couple months back, I called on the city of Decatur to ban plastic grocery bags prompted by liberal standard-bearer San Francisco. The posting was a combination of silly and serious, as I chided myself about trying to remember to recycle the plastic bags that piled up in my garage.

Well today, its not a city but a company that has banned the plastic beasties. Whole Foods Market announced this morning that it will do away with plastic grocery bags in all of its stores worldwide by Earth Day on April 22nd. While its no surprise that Whole Foods would lead the charge on yet another eco-friendly initiative, its example will hopefully encourage other grocery store chains to do the same.

You may be wondering, what are the alternatives? Here’s the answer…

In place of the fly-away plastic bags scorned by many environmentalists, Whole Foods will offer several options: free paper bags in four sizes made from 100% recycled paper, reusable bags 80% made from recycled plastic bottles for 99 cents and canvas bags selling for $6.99 to $35. It encourages consumers to bring their own bags by taking 5 cents to 10 cents off the bill for each.

Hopefully this issue can continue to gain traction on both the governmental and business side, though it will be difficult to implement in other communities and stores that serve a broader segment of the population, as paper apparently costs twice as much as plastic to produce. Such a change could lead to higher prices on the shelves.

Personally, I reuse the small paper Whole Foods bags for my lunch everyday. Each one can last at least a month before ripping and dropping my sandwich on the sidewalk.

Publix? Kroger? Decatur? Anyone want to follow suit?

UPDATE: AsianCajuns has a great beginners guide on how to stay fashion-forward, while lugging food to your car.

h/t: My Wife