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Jeanene LeRae leaves Fred Meyer with her groceries in two canvas bags on a recent visit. The Longview woman makes a point of always having reusable bags in her car. (Photo by Greg Ebersole / The Daily News)

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Are you ready to bag plastic?

Sunday, September 14, 2008 12:54 AM PDT

By Cheryll A. Borgaard

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Jeanene LeRae wants to get the word out: stop using plastic bags. “Sometimes I feel I want to stand in front of Fred Meyer and shout, ‘Please us cloth bags. Don’t use plastic!’ ” she said.

LeRae is among the growing number of people “going green” at the grocery store and other businesses and bringing their own totes ” usually canvas or other durable material.

“I go in with at least four bags, and a couple of plastic bags that I recycle to put produce in,” said LeRae, 65, who has been using cloth bags “a good year or so.”

Grocery stores such as Your Market Place, Fred Meyer and Safeway are more than willing to help customers go green, offering cloth bags for sale.

“We’ve seen quite an increase in the last six months,” said Jim Stephens, store manager for Your Market Place in Longview.

“We had to triple-order last time, which is around 600 bags.”

People using cloth bags aren’t just helping to save the environment, it’s helping the store as well, Stevens said.

“It takes almost two of our sacks to fill one of theirs. Every time they use one of the cloth bags, it saves us 7 cents for a paper bag,” he said.

Stevens added that the clerks don’t mind when customers bring their own bags. “They’re stronger than regular sacks, so you don’t have to worry about breakage.”

Fred Meyer stores has been tracking the success its reusable grocery bag program had in its first year. Based on data gathered at store registers during check-out, customers in the company’s 129 stores brought a reusable bag to the check stand 2.5 million more times in 2007 than they did in 2006, Melinda Merrill, public affairs director, said.

“We’re excited about this, and our customers love it,” she said. “It’s the right thing to do. We just need to make a change in behavior.”

Fred Meyer stores ordered 3.5 million fewer plastic bags in 2007 than in 2006, diverting roughly 36,000 pounds ” or 18 tons ” of plastic from the waste stream, Merrill said.

The purchasing habits of Margaret Green match her name.

“I’ve been using bags for more than 20 years,” said Green, 59, of Longview. “I had friends at the time who were taking boxes back to the store, and I started reusing paper bags. I didn’t even think about cloth bags at the time.”

She said for many years, until the new trend took hold, she was considered an oddity for bringing her own bags to the store.

“But it gave me an opportunity when people stood behind me in line and ask me why am I doing this,” she said. “So I would tell them about saving resources, blah, blah. Then I would also mention that bags made groceries more expensive, and that was less abstract for them to understand.”

Not all “bring-your-own-baggers” are strictly cloth-bag users.

“I use new plastic bags. Then I reuse them,” Deborah Moore of Kelso said. “I have not had to buy garbage bags for eons.”

Dee Dee Bolander, formerly of Longview, uses plastic bags to crochet ” more bags.

“I’ve made at least three dozen and have given them away to family and friends,” said Bolander, 54, who moved to Prineville, Ore., in 2001. Her creations have been used as diaper bags, beach totes and carry-alls. She gets her materials from a variety of sources.

“All the people who live on my road collect for me,” she said. “I’ll step out my front door, and here will be a big bag of bags.”

LeRae and others who use cloth or other types of bags say the hardest part, in the beginning, is remembering to take the bags.

“Maybe there should be a siren at the door, blaring ‘Don’t forget the bags!’ I’ve gotten so that if I don’t have a bag, I’ll just take the cart to my car and put the stuff in.”

“The hardest part for me was to remember to take them in the store with me,” said Elizabeth Burner of Kelso. “I solved this problem by putting the bags on the passenger seat, with my grocery list on top of them. Now it is old hat, and I just don’t forget.”

LeRae said she is always at the ready to encourage others to use alternative bags at stores.

“It just a little teeny thing we can do.”

Residents share why they have gone green

 Your groceries fit better in these and they are also easier to pack into the house. Hopefully I will get better at this and also remember to take them into other stores as well. If they ever start charging me, I will remember!

” Charlene Dahlman, Castle Rock

I have been using canvas totes from LL Bean for several years now. At first, it was considered an oddity. More than a few checkers were confused about how to load a “non-regulation” bag. Today, the reception is always good.

” Wendy Hall, Longview

I really don’t understand why some people object and complain that it would adversely impact our paper mills. If we don’t make an effort to reduce our waste, our grandchildren will have bigger worries than how to carry their groceries; they’ll have to scrabble to get any groceries at all.

” Gert Martini, Longview

I am 24 years old and originally from Germany. Germans are very eco-friendly. It’s kinda drilled into our heads that you don’t waste resources. Over there, people bring their own canvas bags or baskets and reuse them, I was surprised that Safeway, when I showed up with my backpack, actually paid me 3 cents for not using any of their bags. My world was upside down.

” Martin Hoseneder, Longview

I have to carry groceries up stairs, so I appreciate that what would normally take 10 bags easily fits into 3 to 5 of the “green bags,” saving me at least one trip (especially nice when it’s pouring rain or stifling hot!). Using these permanent bags has saved eggs from breaking when the bags tear, bottles from the same fate, and last, but not least, the ever popular can of ginormous tomatoes on the foot!

” Karen Lawrence, Kelso

I am currently in the Navy, stationed in England. I grew up in Rainier and Longview. One of the things that is very different out here is the fact that the majority of British bring their own bags to the store, not just a few. I rarely see the British use plastic, and the cashiers get angry when you ask for them.

” Keshia Alwine, England

They are so sturdy that milk jugs that had to be carried one at a time can go two in a bag. I’ll also admit I don’t always remember to bring them in for the quick stop for a few items. But on Sunday shopping day ” we are hooked!

My son works at Fibre, and I have heard that by using canvas, we are not supporting local industry. I disagree. We see enough other paper products every day.

” Lori Benson, Longview

My daughter does not want us to use any plastic bags after seeing what can happen to animals and fish that get tangled up in the ones that just blow around and end up dying. It doesn’t seem like my choices make any difference on the environment. But if you think about it, I am probably doing without 150 plastic bags in a year’s time, probably more.

” Linda Black, Longview

I am now at the point where I am considering asking the grocers to repackage my purchases ” from the meat and bakery departments in particular ”  because I resent ending up with the plastic packaging. I would prefer them in a paper bag, and I can store them in a reusable Zip-loc bag for freshness.

” Jan McIntyre

Yes, I use my own bags as often as I can remember to take them in the store. I even have one of the original “I’m not a plastic bag” that Whole Foods sell when they open a new store. They are all the rage in New York. They are hard to come by, and there are many copies out. They are by a designer out of England. (Editor’s note: The designer is Anya Hindmarch, and originals sell upwards of $200 on e-Bay)

” Pam Casey, Longview

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just a mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 1:50 AM:

" Is it just me, or is this article difficult to read? "

Small Town Girl wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:07 AM:

" An interesting question that I would love to get answered: How much energy does it cost to manufacture all of those new "green" bags that I keep seeing for sale? I noticed at Nordstrom, they were selling chic looking reusable bags, but they were made out of synthetic fibers (which come from fossil fuels). It's great to use reusable bags, but why not use ones from around the house rather than purchasing more bags that create more impact? "

concerned wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:18 AM:

" oh sure the stores want you to use clothe bags that way they can make even the slightest profit by selling bags. Also the bags are so small you can only fit a couple of things per bag so you would need more then 2-3 to do your major shopping for the month.I think everyone including the stores or other consumers are so big on going green then why not let them donate these bags to people rather then having us pay for them. "

Resident wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:47 AM:

" LEAVE THE PLASTIC FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO USE THEM. PAPER GETS WET IN OUR RAINY WEATHER AND A SMALL HAND BAG DOES NOT EVEN BEGIN TO GET ALL MY GROCERIES. PLUS I USE THE PLASTIC BAGS FOR GARBAGE. "

cherokee wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:40 AM:

" I do hope these people realize that by using these cloth bags (that are probably made overseas), they are not helping the local economy. Fibre produces paper used to make paper bags and this just helps to shut down another paper machine and put more people out of work. I hope you can hold your head up with pride when Fibre people are begging at the street corner because you helped put them out of work! "

cynic954 wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:59 AM:

" proof reader WAKE UP. "

Lance Johnson wrote on Sep 14, 2008 10:47 AM:

" I use paper bags. It helps the local ecomomy! Biodegradable too! "

TwentySomething wrote on Sep 14, 2008 12:46 PM:

" It's great to see these catching on! We can save even more resources by making our bags (for those of us that are sew-handy) out of renewable resouces.

These comments about about "not supporting local jobs" by using re-usable bags just doesn't hold water.
It's like complaining about the jobs that are lost when we convert from coal power plants, to wind powered electricity plants; or the jobs that are lost when we shut down asbestos mines. Paper may be recycleable, but the energy that is wasted(and waste produced)when we make a new paper bag for each shopping trip is ridiculous. If we don't adapt to the effects of making greener choices now, we will have to adapt the the much more harmful effects of pollution, lack of resources, and lack of space to bury our trash later. "

racingrocks wrote on Sep 14, 2008 2:17 PM:

" I support local business by using paper.Using just cloth bags will eventually cost jobs "

TMAN wrote on Sep 14, 2008 4:27 PM:

" Same here, support the pulp and paper industry! Its recyclable too. "

El Gabilon wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:04 PM:

" Although we agree that plastic bags (along with every other plastic product) creates a landfill and environmental problem. What this program amounts to is a SCAM to reduce the cost for merchants which will not be passed down to the consumer. Further they have the unmitigated gall to sell hand bags made of plastic material, with their logo forcing the consumer to become a "walking billboard". In addition one can be sure that the merchants will be selling PLASTIC BAGS for garbage disposal. If the "do gooders" out there want to do something let them do it right. By right we mean THE REMOVAL OF ALL PLASTIC CONTAINERS, AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS, for a plastic bottle (or other product) does not bio-degrade anymore than a plastic bag. If merchants were sincere about helping the environment they would be instructing the milk, bleach, etc.companies to switch to bio-degradable containers or glass which can be recycled. Anyone who takes the time to go through a grocery store and count the number of products in plastic containers will understand where we are coming from...that is, we are "sick and tired of being used by the merchant. If a merchant wants us to purchase a hand bag with their logo, then PAY ME for being their walking billboard. Further for those who do use their own bags, pay them for the cost of the bags they saved forever! The only hand bag we thought was fit for consumer use was the bag from Target.$4.99! "

El Gabilon wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:09 PM:

" As it is being bandied about by political candidates today "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig" Translated: You can call it an envrionmental project if you like, but it is still a SCAM. Then again from what we know about consumers, they seem eager and willing to be scammed. Our answer to the grocery store is simply..."If you do not provide a bag, we will shop elsewhere". We support cleaning up the environment, and doing things that help achieve it, but not when it is a "one sided" deal. "

reasonable1 wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:23 PM:

" I've used my own bags for ages. Clerks used to look at my oddly--now I'm in fashion! If not grocery bags, paper can be made into something else. Even degradable paper is wasteful if it's used unnecessarily. Someday when clerks ask us "Paper or plastic?" they'll be inquiring about how we're going to pay. "

Im_not_saying wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:26 PM:

" Every once in awhile I hear "use paper - support the mill!" Have you ever tried to haul groceries up stairs in paper? The flimsy little "afterthought" handles snap right off, or the bag tears to shreds, and meanwhile it turns being green to being frustrating. Come up with a bag that does not tear as easy, and I'll think about it. And show me where fibre and weyerhauser are being more "green" at their mills and I'll really think about it. Clean up the stench we all smell occasionally (the "smell of money") and I'll use paper bags every time. Besides the fact I usually get 2-3 uses out of a plastic sack, what with them used for trash, a last minute lunchbox, a place to store wet bathing suits, someplace to hold a change of clothes for the kids after school, dog doo bags, and whatever stock I am left with gets dropped off at the store to turn into molded park benches. These are the reasons people are devoted to the plastic bags. Convert me and others by making the paper bags more "user friendly" and you'll win converts. "

cherokee wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:30 PM:

" I agree with the comments about " if they want us to use cloth bags, then supply them for free. And without corporate logo!" Please make sure if you want to use cloth bags, that they are made in the USA! Thank you. "

greenbean wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:07 PM:

" I've switched to reusable bags, because I like the handles and the size. I can get much more in one of them than in a plastic or paper bag. But when I don't have a reusable bag, I ask for paper because it's locally made and biodegradable. I remember when plastic bags first came out they were touted as more environmentally friendly because they didn't harm trees -- does anyone else remember that? I could never figure out the logic, because stores always give you 10 times as many plastic bags as you would use in paper, and of course they weren't initially easy to recycle. I do reuse plastic bags that I have for garbage, wet clothes, etc. Really, don't we all have more to worry about that what type of bags we use? "

digdug wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:00 PM:

" El Gabilon- Why is everyone so negative on getting rid of plastic bags? They actually pay you between 4 and 7 cents each time you use a bag, they basically pay for themselves after a few uses. Most stores including all the ones stated in the article actually let you use bags from other stores and get the 5 cent discount. Detergent now comes in condensed formulas, even Walmart requires it. Lets try to look at the positive! "

chick3k wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:22 PM:

" Okay so I will admit that I have about 4-6 of these reusable bags, but normally I use them for other things. When going to the grocery store, I ask for paper. I never seem to have a problem with the rain in the area and the bags getting wet. "

MOMAUF6 wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:24 PM:

" I AGREE, HELP SUPPORT THE TIMBER AND PULP AND PAPER IND. I WILL USE PAPER AS LONG AS IAM ALIVE.BESIDES MY HUSBAND IS A TIMBER FALLER/ LOGGER. "

recyclefan wrote on Sep 14, 2008 10:22 PM:

" elgabilon, did ya read what you wrote before you sent it..........pay you to advertise for them, check your closets and phone or whatever I am sure there is a brand(logo) that lots of people PAY big bucks $$$$to wear/use. Yes paper is a little better except the chemicals to make paper. Those plastic bags aren't even real plastic, it's a film, not even really recyclable. Do yourself a favor (all of you) google cloth bags made in USA....maybe u should all get info on the so called plastic and what it is doing to environment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We should have a little respect for mother nature and not waste our resources "

columbian wrote on Sep 14, 2008 11:34 PM:

" WE LIVE IN A PAPER TOWN MADE BY WOOD PRODUCTS,PLASTIC BAGS ARE MADE BY OIL.GO PAPER "

grrrowl wrote on Sep 15, 2008 12:52 AM:

" Concerned - The reusable grocery bags I've seen cost 1-2 dollars. Safeways are a dollar I think, and targets are 1 and 2 dollars. Also, they do hold a lot more than the average bag. Because you can use the whole bag and not just part of it like with paper/plastic bags (and they don't rip).


Lance Johnson - paper bags don't biodegrade in landfills because of lack of oxygen.

Both paper and plastic bags are bad for the environment. It actually takes more than 4 times the amount of energy to produce a paper bag than a plastic bag. Plus it costs more to transport them, and more to recycle them.

I tend to us plastic bags, but I always re-use them for other things around the house. I don't like getting paper at the grocery store because if you have anything wet in your cart (frozen vegetables and things like that), or something leaks they break. What I would really like grocery manufacturers to do is simplify their groceries packaging. There are so many packages that have an inner packaging and an outer packaging for no reason. It's stupid. I wish we had a grocery store like Trader Joe's that actually cared about that kind of stuff. I do think that stores should start charging for all non-reusable bags though. "

tatman wrote on Sep 15, 2008 8:18 AM:

" i know weve all heard it before, but this is a MILL TOWN PERIOD, the local economy is already in the dumps, so using these bags instead of paper will only hurt worse. support local businesses, thats what i hear all the time, well using paper is doing just that, so just do it. "

Kaijakoira wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:59 AM:

" If stores didn't charge for the cloth bags, most people wouldn't reuse them for future shopping. Why bother, if you can always get more for free? As for plastic packaging, one of my biggest peeves is kitty litter packaged in thick, plastic jugs that don't crush well & waste space in garbage cans (and landfills). House cats use a LOT of kitty litter, which leads to an incredible number of empty litter containers. I've used several for emergency water storage & have switched to a brand that uses cardboard packaging. (Bonus: It's also corn based, which makes it safer for my Labradork mix when he..... Well, those of you with indoor cats & dogs know where I'm going with this....) "

DW wrote on Sep 15, 2008 10:07 AM:

" The only real problem I have with using the cloth bags is.....lets say I am the cashier, and I have to handle the bags from customers that I have no idea what they are doing with these things before I get my hands on them. And then do it hundreds of times a day. That's almost the same as if a customer brings food, canned, fresh or otherwise, back to the store for a refund, and the stores put it back out for sale. Stores don't do that, they chuck it. And if I found out that a retailer was putting food back out for sale that was returned by someone else, I would never shop there period. Why should cashiers have to handle items that they have no idea where they have been?? Just asking. "

Kaijakoira wrote on Sep 15, 2008 1:28 PM:

" Unfortunately some "unnecessary" packaging has become necessary thanks to losers who tamper with products and steal small, expensive items such as memory cards. As for the potential sanitation & health risks of reusing cloth bags, there's probably just as much danger & disease lurking in the dirty, sticky shopping carts & baskets in most stores. (How frequently are they washed & sanitized? How many youngsters with runny noses, grimy hands and muddy shoes rode around in that cart before you put your fresh produce in it?) "

recyclefan wrote on Sep 15, 2008 5:51 PM:

" did you'all think about the dirty money.....at least the bags go through the laundry at home..also you might want to check and see if those big jugs that litter comes in are Recyclable....people put their precious babies in those shopping carts on a regular basis, I don't see ya whining about that.....just do some research,,,,,Google is enlightening "

grrrowl wrote on Sep 15, 2008 7:49 PM:

" DW - how much do they even touch the bags though? Probably mostly just the handles. Also, they have to handle cash and change all of the time, I'm sure a lot of it is dirtier than any bag would be. Kaijakoira - I'm more annoyed with the packaging that has like a tupperware-ish container holding the food, and then a cardboard outer shell. Which just seem to be for looks. Seattle is going to start charging a 20 cent fee on disposable bags in January, and Portland is considering charging for bags also. "

TwentySomething wrote on Sep 16, 2008 6:37 PM:

" Fw- you might wanna invest in some hand sanitizer. One can only imagine where those $1 bills have been. "

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