Category Archives: Reusable Bag Tips

Reusable Grocery Bag Etiquette

December 20, 2010Reusable Bag Tips#WashYourBags, Plastics ReductionBulletin Bag

We all know why to use reusable grocery bags over plastic and paper single use bags. But, we also need to remember that this shift in buyer behaviors is also forcing a shift in the way our cashiers and baggers do their job. Here are a few common-courtesy ideas for when you hand over your cool, printed reusable bags to the bagger (and don’t forget to wash your bags before you get that far):

Empty your reusable shopping bags completely
Wash your reusable bags regularly. Not sure how? Here’s a guide to cleaning reusable bags
Place your reusable grocery bags at the front of the conveyer belt so the cashier knows you have them
Separate your reusable shopping bags so the cashier can easily grab each one as needed. Also, specify which bags are meant for what products (meat, dairy, etc)
Open folding reusable bags while you are waiting in line
Show respect to your cashier by saying please and thank-you, helping to bag, and ending your cell phone call
When putting groceries on the conveyor, group heavy/bulky things together to be packed into the bottoms of your reusable grocery bags. The lighter items can go on top until each reusable bag is full.

Turn Your Winter Green with Printed Reusable Bags

October 25, 2010Promotion Ideas, Reusable Bag TipsPrinting Ideas, SeasonalBulletin Bag

It’s a great time to start planning for winter fundraisers, promotions and holiday gifting. Here are some ideas on how to use custom printed reusable grocery bags to green Mother Earth through the New Year.

Jumpstart retail sales by having customized reusable bags for sale (or free with purchase) in your store. Shoppers can use them to carry holiday gifts, and you can create an incentive to shop in your store with a reusable bag promotion. Try offering a percentage off when customers bring in your reusable bag, or offer a free reusable bag custom printed with your logo for a sale over a certain dollar amount.

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Don’t Panic…Just Clean Your Reusable Grocery Bags

July 9, 2010Green Issues, Reusable Bag Tips#WashYourBagsBulletin Bag

A recent study funded by the American Chemistry Council found that nearly every reusable bag examined for bacteria contained bugs, coliform bacteria (suggesting raw-meat or uncooked-food contamination) or E. coli. However, the study didn’t specify which strains of E. coli were found—many of which are harmless. And don’t forget that the American Chemistry Council represents plastic bag makers, and opposes a California Bill that would ban single-use plastic bags.What is slightly more annoying (dare we say misleading?) about this study, and the buzz surrounding it, is that if you conduct a similar study of kitchens, refrigerators, sponges, or dish towels, we’re sure you’d find equally alarming results. Plus, with the abundance of over-packaged grocery store items, what are the chances that these germs are actually going come in contact with your food or your family? Regardless of the study’s motives, it does stress an important reminder: clean your reusable grocery bags regularly.

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How do you refuse a plastic bag at checkout?

June 1, 2010Reusable Bag TipsPlastics ReductionBulletin Bag

Plastic bags are bad. We can’t say it enough. They break down into small, toxic particles that contaminate water and our food chain. They are petroleum-based. 12 million barrels of oil are used to make the 100 billion bags consumed in the US each year. Essentially, we are bleeding the Earth for the 10-minute use of a plastic bag.

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Do You Still Think You Cannot Live Without Plastic Bags?

November 4, 2009Green Issues, Reusable Bag TipsPlastics ReductionBulletin Bag

Earlier this week, we were talking about the reasons people defend their plastic bag habit. We listen to the ‘reusable bag chatter’ and can tell you that people tweet about it, blog about it and comment on it almost every day. So what are the top 2 reasons people haven’t made the switch to reusable bags?

#1: “I need free plastic grocery bags to line the small trash cans in my home”

If you’ve starting bringing your own bag, you’ve probably noticed that those darn plastic bags still pop up. Unless you live alone, you’ll have a hard time eliminating them completely.

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Jump on The Movement!

October 14, 2009Promotion Ideas, Reusable Bag TipsPrinting Ideas, RetailBulletin Bag

Still not convinced you’ll see a great ROI on a custom-logo shopping bag promotion? The last week has seen corporate giants reverse their stance on reusable bags and further their dedication to green by offering incentives to the end users for remembering their bags—meaning now’s the perfect time to be proven wrong.

Westport is the first town in Connecticut to ban plastic bags, which has resulted in a 70 percent increase in people bringing their reusable bags since the ban has been in effect. One of the sponsoring representatives of the bill, Liz Milwe, was quoted in the NY Times as saying, “The greatest thing that happened was after the six-month period was over, Stop & Shop, who originally opposed the ban, had people clapping when customers remembered their reusable bags.” Way to put aside your opposition to see the forest for the trees, so to speak!

Jeffrey Weiser, another of the four sponsors estimates 600,000 fewer plastic bags have been used since the ban started. Under the new regulation, the town can impose a $150 fine on businesses that distribute plastic bags.

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Reusable Bag Tip of the Week: You’re going to need a lot of bags!

December 16, 2008Bulletin Bag Products, Reusable Bag TipsFolding Bags, Plastics ReductionBulletin Bag

If you’re like me, you’ve been ducking into stores for holiday errands between meetings or on your way to/from the office.

If you’re like me, you’ve compiled every last one of your folding reusable bags , and keep an arsenal by the door.

If you’re like me, you’re transferring them to the passenger seat of the car when you head out.

If you’re like me, you’re stashing bags in your purse each time you brave the holiday madness.

If you’re like me, you’re offering up reusable bags to cashiers at non-grocery stores who are completely and totally befuddled by your request (even though the store sells their own reusable bags!)

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Are Reusable Bags Really Better for the Environment?

November 21, 2008Bulletin Bag Products, Reusable Bag TipsNonwoven Polypropylene, RecyclingBulletin Bag

Not too long ago the Wall Street Journal published and article called An Inconvenient Bag. The article talks about the reusable bag movement and questions this latest green trend. While the article points to many valid and important reasons to replace paper and plastic with reusable bags, the argument against reusable bags seems to have gained the favor of the blogosphere and led many to question whether this is just another case of greenwashing.

It’s absolutely true that not all reusable bags are created equal. Some are made locally , some are made overseas, some are organic , some are hemp , some use pesticides, some are made from post consumer recycled materials and some are even made from virgin plastics that may or may not be recyclable. (….)

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Thinking About Reusable Bags – A Message to Cashiers and Baggers

November 11, 2008Reusable Bag TipsPlastics Reduction, RetailBulletin Bag

Some didn’t see it coming, but the reusable bag movement has hit us like a big green tidal wave. Isn’t it time for retailers to implement better training to effectively promote this important trend?

While it’s up to the consumer to bring their own bag, cashiers and baggers are the next line of defense in reducing wasteful plastic bags. Whether it’s the grocery store, the corner store, or the mall — retailers are the key to breaking the plastic habit.

Consumers have started developing their own habits, like returning reusable bags to the car after unloading them, storing reusable bags near keys or writing ‘BRING YOUR OWN BAG’ at the top of the grocery list. They might even carry a folding nylon reusable bag in a purse, pocket or glove compartment. (…)

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Making Reusable Bags a Habit!

October 23, 2008Reusable Bag TipsPlastics ReductionBulletin Bag

Earlier this week a survey in a USA Today snapshot poll showed some interesting statistics. Readers were asked how often they “Bring Their Own Bag” to the grocery store. Here are the results:
10% Always
19% Frequently
32% Occasionally
That leaves almost 40% who NEVER bring their own bag. It makes you wonder — will the mainstream public ever catch on the Bring You Own Bag movement?

As we are educated about the problems with global warming and our dependence on fossil fuels — we becoming more aware of our countries tendency toward over-consumption. This over-consumption means more factories producing more and more products, which produces more and more pollution. While it’s hard to convince American’s to ‘want less’ — there are many things we consume that are actually easy to give up.

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