As I have posted on a few occasions, growing up in Florida has spoiled me for any grocery store other than my much beloved Publix... ah, Publix- how I miss you so.... But over the years I have learned to deal with it.
Back in the 80s, Environmentalist started screaming that the use of brown paper sacks were destroying all our trees. So began the use of those flimsy plastic bags... I hate those things. They rip. They tear. Only a few items can be put in each bag. They don't stack well when loaded in the van... on and on... And now Environmentalist complain because those plastic bags are contaminating land fills... I wish they would make up their minds....
Also entering the scene were reusable cloth bags. Now I know me- I can never remember to grab my coupons, let alone a bag to put my groceries in- So I never even considered wasting my money on those cloth bags.... Until a few weeks ago.
Standing in line at Kroger I saw a rack full of those reusable bags on sale- 5 for $4... hummm, Ok, I'll try them... I grabbed 5 bags and tossed them onto the conveyor belt. The Cashier saw them and asked if I wanted to go ahead and use my new bags. "Sure. Why Not?"
The Bagger began loading up my Eco friendly bags with my purchases. At the end of the transaction I noticed my cart- my 5 new sacks neatly positioned, filled with groceries... nIiiice... Then about 4 plastic bags 1/2 filled with the remaining items, flopping over top of the neat sacks... not so nice...
The new sacks stacked perfectly in my van. They stayed put and groceries weren't strewn about by the time I got home... I'm liken this. I'm gonna get me some more of these sacks...
The next time I was in Kroger... and yes, I remembered to grab my reusable sacks- I was so proud of myself... I saw some insulated reusable sacks with zippers. Now these can definitely be handy for my sometimes 1 hour drive home (after running extra errands and picking up kids). I grabbed a few and tossed them on top of my groceries.
The Cashier began ringing up items. She grabbed the sacks that I brought in with me, counted them, then pressed some buttons on her register. "Hey wait." I began to protest, "I brought those bags in with me"
"I know" she smiled, "but you get 5 cents off for each bag you bring in to reuse."... now how cool is that. Not only am I liking the stability of these bags, I am saving money...
Pretty darn proud of myself for remembering my bags... and for doing my little part to save the world... I pushed the cart out to my van. Reaching for my grocery filled sacks I noticed that they weren't so neatly packed... hm, they could've done a little better job- but oh well... Grabbing two more sacks, one of them the new insulated bag I just purchased. They forgot to zip it shut- kinda defeats the purpose of keeping the cold stuff cold.
I grabbed another bag from the cart, this time noticing my frozen vegetables in it. It wasn't zipped up either... Pffff, what is up?... I took a closer look at the bag and realized that it wasn't one of the insulated sacks. Examining the content of the two insulated bags I found cans and boxes stuffed haphazard... Cans and Boxes??... GRRRRRrrr... With a heavy sigh I positioned the remaining bags and pushed the cart over to the cart-railing... or what ever you call it...
Upon returning home and unloading all my groceries, I found that not ONE. Single. "Cold" item was placed in the insulted sacks. Comm'on, now! A little common sense, Please.
This would never have happened at my Publix!
October 08, 2008
An Attempt To Be Eco Friendly
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10 comments:
I had some of the re-usable bags but almost always forget to bring it with me. Our store doesn't give us credit for it like yours does - I like that plan!
Now that is funny! I love Publix, we have one right next door where I work and I feel like I need to go in every day to see my Publix friends!
Jen
FROM ANOTHER "Missing Publix" fan - you've almost convinced me about the reusable bags - especially the insulated ones - have to check to see if we get credit for using them & will they pack the cold stuff in the right bag??? WHAT A BUMMER!!
I left you something over at my blog!!!
I can't seem to get them not to put toilet bowl cleaner in with my lettuce. I have started placing all of my like things together, trust me I am anal about this (drives my husband crazy) You might try placing all cold food first or last and either giving them the freezer bags first or not giving them to the bagger until the frozen food is ready to be rung up. One of our local stores had a bag boy that that downs syndrome, he bags my things just the way I like them, I want to hug him every time he bags my things!
Mrs. Smith often tells the "bag boy" to stop and bags her own groceries. Usually all it takes is for the bag boy to put the eggs or the bread on the bottom of a bag for her to put the kabosh on it.
It's epidemic. No matter where you go.
I grew up with Publix too and really loved it, but then I moved away. Here in NC we have Harris Teeter which is like Publix and sometimes a little fancier. And they are selling those cloth bags, but I haven't gone there yet. I don't know what's stopping me, really. Must get them next time.
I know. I totally WANT to get some of those bags, I have been harassed by friends to get those bags, and yet, I don't have those bags. What's wrong with me? Maybe you can be my inspiration.
I live in FL but not the part that has Publix until recently. We are just now getting our first Publix hopefully in December. I do great (as you know!) at remembering my coupons but I have also purchased several of those cloth bags and I can't remember them ever! The couple of times I HAVE remembered them...I forget that I have thrown them in the back seat! Isn't that crazy?!
oh my!!!! that is so aggravating!! I am right there with you on the coffee thing And the grocery thing. Just found your blog on another blog and i love it!!!
leigh-nc
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