You want a bag for that?

[Planogirl]

I wonder if this ban against plastic bags will include garbage bags? I would hope not.

A lot of people in this area use their own bags so I think that most of the store clerks ask if you need a bag. I keep meaning to pick up a few of my own bags too but haven't done so yet.

 

[bookgirl]

No. I'll just carry this shirt I purchased around the mall with the price tag dangling from it. Of course I want a bag!! Ugh.

Do you guys get asked this question? I understand it at the grocery store for 1 item or milk, but at a department store? Is this a new thing?

Yep they often ask me, and I appreciate it. If I already have a bag I add additionall purchases to it. I often have reusable bags. Now if I don't already have a bag it's a kinda dumb question but you know you program to the script and sometimes the questions come out automatically. I don't want a ton of bags and it may be little but every little bit helps to cut down plastic and paper waste.

I actually sometimes ask at the first store if I can have a "big" bag, cause it's annoying when I've gone to 5 stores and everyone gave me a bag, so I have 5 to keep up with.

 

[wendy46001]

Its not about them being cheap, its about trying to get consumers to stop using plastic bags. There are also some states proposing plastic bag fees.

I'm going to disagree, its a little about them being cheap
this is a service they now don’t have to offer or charge for providing

if they really cared about the environment they would go back to paper bags

 

[disney1990]

In Washington, DC they already charge you for bags -- paper or plastic.

I hate seeing plastic bags hanging from trees. I carry my own reusable bags.

The Disney Store has some really cute ones now.

 

[kwelch10377]

I'm going to disagree, its a little about them being cheap
this is a service they now don’t have to offer or charge for providing

if they really cared about the environment they would go back to paper bags

Paper bags may be perceived as being more environmentally friendly, but they really aren't. They require more engery to produce and ship than plastic. So while plastic bags are bad for the environment post usage, paper bags are bad for the environment pre usage. Paper bags are also more expensive for a company to buy so the extra money they would have to spend would need to be passed onto the consumer by way of increase in prices.

And in all honesty is it really that bad for companies wanting to try and save a few dollars, the economy hasn't been all that great and it has forced retailers to cut their budgets and if they want to try and save money by figuring out a way to cut back on having to buy plastic bags so maybe they can save one persons job then I am all for it.

 

[Handbag Lady]

See, I LIKE the question. When I'm at the mall, I have a reusable bag that I use for mall shopping.

I don't need all of the extra packaging and I don't need to waste another bag.

 

[PatsMom]

I like the question too. Saves me from having to say "I don't need a bag with that". Its very rare for me to use a plastic bag. I almost always have a couple of reusable bags with me. I love that at my local Borders they have a sign saying to please ask if you want a bag.

 

[My 2 princesses]

Yes, the Disney Stores do sell them. 'Santa' brought my DD one, which I bring to work everyday I must look out for the ones at DW this summer.

 

[PatsMom]

Yes, the Disney Stores do sell them. 'Santa' brought my DD one, which I bring to work everyday I must look out for the ones at DW this summer.

In addition to the green bags, my daughter and I bought re-usable shopping bags in World Showcase that have the flags of the various countries on them. I think we saw them at more than one store.

 

[LaurenLC]

I'm sorry, but stores can't win... I'm a retail executive for a 'higher end' department store. We've received countless complaints because our associates warp (in tissue paper) and place their items in a bag... To avoid this, we have encouraged associates to ask customers who purchase smaller items, or may already have a bag from another purchase, if they would like a bag.
You can't make everyone happy.

 

[Heidict]

It's not stores being cheap. It's a way to cut down on the amount of plastic bags ending up in landfills. Avoid getting charged for a bag by taking your own with you when you go to the store.

It is not a necessarily a matter of them not being able to afford the plastic bags, they do it to try and get you to bring in your own reusable bags to be more environmentally friendly. Sure it helps them save some more by not having to purchase as many plastic bags, but that it not the driving force behind doing it. I would not be surprised to see more and more companies doing this. Some right now take 5-10 cents off your order for each reusable bag, but that isn't really much get people to use them, but I would imagine charging for the plastic bags would.

Its not about them being cheap, its about trying to get consumers to stop using plastic bags. There are also some states proposing plastic bag fees.

Maybe they are doing it for the environment, but I have hard time believing that. If they cared so much then they wouldn't use them at all. Twenty cents is not enough to deter anyone from purchasing one.

 

[Imzadi]

OP, I say, "Yes, I need a bag. I'm going to be walking around another store, and I don't want them to think I stole this from their store.

i get asked at target, but thats because they dont have free bags anymore. you have to pay 20c for a biodegradable plastic bag, or $2 for an envirobag.

its a little about them being cheap
this is a service they now don’t have to offer or charge for providing

if they really cared about the environment they would go back to paper bags

I agree. This is like the airlines. Nickle & diming us because they can get away with it.

I go to Trader Joes and they ask me if I want plastic or paper. But the way they ask, it's like they think I'm going to use the plastic bag to suffocate an infant with it.

I usually tell them, "I have all these frozen items and the condensation will get a paper bag all wet."

I don't know what I'd do with the cat litter if they banned plastic bags!

I think maybe I should start hoarding them, like people seem to be doing with lightbulbs.

Ack! Me too!

I love the stores that still double plastic bag.

you wont have to worry about what to do with cat litter.. I"m sure that's next on the want to ban list

Sometimes I think of how the kitty litter is sealed in a non-biodegradable plastic bag and is, in essence, preserved in a landfill for all time.

I'm sure they will get to a point where disposable diapers, cat litter & feminine napkins will all be banned.


I think the better idea would be to build huge garbage scows in rocket ships, blast them off, then fly them toward the sun. It may take decades, but eventually, each one will burn up as they head into the sun, so we aren't even cluttering up outer space.

 

[kwelch10377]

Maybe they are doing it for the environment, but I have hard time believing that. If they cared so much then they wouldn't use them at all. Twenty cents is not enough to deter anyone from purchasing one.

I can tell you that working for a $30 billion international retailer, we do it for the envirnoment. Being environmentally friendly is part of our corporate culture. We have even spent money on an entire new fleet of delivery trucks that are more fuel efficient, without passing on the additional costs to the consumer.

If we didn't use them at all then what would we use, paper bags are more expensive, not very consumer friendly (even the ones with the handles) and the process of making them and shipping them is just as bad for the environment as plastic bags. As much as we would like it we can't expect every customer to bring in their own bag, but will try and do what we can to encourage them.

You would also be surprised that 20 cents will encourage some people to bring, it may not stop them from making the purchase, but will make them think about it. The Target and a few of the grocery stores in the area actually credit you for each bag used, so they are basically breaking even, they aren't spending the money for the plastic bag, but are giving you that money not to use one. What would be the point of doing this if they were being cheap, the money that they are saving is going right back out the door.

 

[karenos]

I like the question too. Saves me from having to say "I don't need a bag with that". Its very rare for me to use a plastic bag. I almost always have a couple of reusable bags with me. I love that at my local Borders they have a sign saying to please ask if you want a bag.

Me too! My pet peeve is actually the opposite of the OP's. I usually have a small folded up bag somewhere in my chronically messy over-sized purse. By the time I find it the cashier has already put the item in a plastic bag. Then they usually sigh or roll their eyes when I take the item out of the plastic bag and put it in my own bag.

Sometimes you can't win....
karenos

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My only comments....

Those reusable bags for groceries--bacteria breeding grounds. I tried washing mine and they aren't really doing very well in the wash. So while everyone I see looks so proud doing their part for the environment with their crisp clean reusable bags that have never been washed...I'm just wondering about their health.

 

[DSNY4ever]

We don't use plastic bags- or paper for that matter. We always use our re-useable bags or we just carry it out. What's the big deal of carrying a new shirt out of a store? If you are worried about getting stopped, just show them your receipt.

I like that stores are cutting back or charging for bags.

 

[OceanAnnie]

We don't use plastic bags- or paper for that matter. We always use our re-useable bags or we just carry it out. What's the big deal of carrying a new shirt out of a store? If you are worried about getting stopped, just show them your receipt.

I like that stores are cutting back or charging for bags.

I don't want to. I want a bag. As un-PC as it sounds, I want a bag.

 

[si-am]

My only comments....

Those reusable bags for groceries--bacteria breeding grounds. I tried washing mine and they aren't really doing very well in the wash. So while everyone I see looks so proud doing their part for the environment with their crisp clean reusable bags that have never been washed...I'm just wondering about their health.

What are you putting in your reusable bags that breeds bacteria? I wouldn't put leaky meat in there (I don't really buy meat anyway) but I don't see much of a problem with anything else. Kind of like carrying around a box of gum in your purse.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Even starting to hear rumblings of banning plastic bags. I guess it's understandable when you see those massive floating garbage islands that are building in the oceans.

In Ireland they are banned completly, in the uk, they are starting to charge us for them, a lot of stores charge a few pence for them and the money goes to a charity to stop filling land fill sites with them.
It is amazing how hast you start to mind and take them.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I don't want to. I want a bag. As un-PC as it sounds, I want a bag.

But you are upset about them asking you still? You can still have the bag, right? No biggie.