What kind of BAG are you?
Not very long ago, this would have been a rather silly question. The only serious choices were paper or plastic. But today, there are choices. Many grocery stores and local markets are selling reusable shopping bags in an effort to go more green. Some Stop & Shops® even give you a machines that scans as you shop to save time and energy. This piece is all about the different types of bags in today’s shopping society, and the types of personalities associated with each bag. Each type will be briefly analyzed and then given a ranking out of five for greenness. Let’s get started!
The All Plastic All the Time Bag
Often Seen: In fancy suburban supermarkets where a loaf of bread is the same price as the gas it took to get there
You've seen those not-trying-to-go-green-anytime-soon soccer moms. Sure they want the best for their kids, but why not take it home to them in double bagged plastic? Their logic is, “well, at least I’m saving trees!” You can always tell if you’re shopping close by to an all plastic all the time shopper if you hear loud chatter on a cell phone, or see someone who looks suspiciously like a little league ref.
1 star for green
The I’ll Take What I Can Get Bag
Often Seen: Confused and spaced-out in any market
This is the bag that doesn’t really care. Not because they don’t want to, just because it’s not important to them, and quite frankly they’re not sure which is better anyways. (And frankly, they aren't alone!) Whatever is available at the end of the checkout line is what they’re takin’! You can spot one of these from the glossed over look in their eyes to the mouth wide open to the hodgepodge of items in their hands. Clearly they aren’t aware that Cheetos® isn’t its own food group. If you are ever caught behind one these in the market, or heaven forbid the checkout line, be prepared for a long wait; their spaced-out-ness can take all day.
2 stars for green
The Purse Bag
Often Seen: In Hollywood
This is the bag who truly thinks and believes that they are going green. “I don’t even use a bag!” They say. “I use my purse!” Well, that’s great and all, but sadly, that still means that you purse is big enough to carry all your groceries, which probably means that your purse took enormous amounts of energy to make. However, on the bright side, this is a person that could very easily be converted into a Fashion Reusable Bag! The Purse Bag can be spotted even out of the corner of your eye. Just look for a highly fashionable person who looks a little slumped over, due to the weight of their small child, oops, I mean purse!
2.5 stars for green
The Paper Bag
Often Seen: In a Whole Foods®, Trader Joe's, or other local markets
This is the fairly conscious bag; not plastic, compostable but not quite reusable. Perhaps they’re afraid of actually taking the leap to reusable, or maybe they feel like they’ve done their part, but either way, they’re almost there. But of course, there’s always the accidental paper bag. This is the one who might know its better, but might not know why; who might have a preference, but hardly vocalizes it that way. The Paper Bag can usually be spotted holding a balance of food groups, and possibly some children’s food too.
3.5 stars for green
The Reusable Bag
Often Seen: At a farmers market or other local fruit stand
This is the bag that really goes all the way. Why settle for paper? The reusable bag is really making a conscious effort to make a difference in today’s world. The resusable bag doesn't have to be about making a fashion statement (although sometimes it is). What’s important is the fact that they reduce waste, keep plastic bags from ending up in oceans and eliminating the need to burn energy making and transporting paper bags.
4 stars for green (5 if everything in the bag is organic and locally grown!)
The No Bag-Bag
Often Seen: At a farmers' market, local market, or dumpster diving
The No Bag-Bag are the ones who would rather carry all their items home in their arms than be subjected to the pressures of society which force them to choose a bag. Seriously, even a reusable bag took energy to make and ate up materials and natural resources. Going green is the No Bag-Bag's life. Sure, some of the friends might have stopped calling, but that’s ok, because think of all the waste that is being saved! These are the freegans; the people who one day might look back and decide to write a memoir called How shopping bag-less ruined my social life. These un-bags are making a difference, even if they’re more hippie-ish than Charles Manson’s crew.
4.5 stars for Green
Decided what kind of bag you are? Let us know!
--Alissa
Also in Izzit's Lab
Hmmm
Can you be a little bit of all the bags? :)
Absolutely!
Of course you can! :)
~alissa~