Tips to Help You Remember to Bring Your Reusable Bags When Shopping
Every day, people forget their reusable bags and end up taking items home in more plastic or paper bags; this completely defeats the purpose of buying reusable bags in the first place.
One of my summer projects is to make bringing the reusable bags another habit.
Read on to discover some great tips compiled from resources all over the Internet. These suggestions and tips will help you remember to bring the reusable bags the next time you go to the store and the next time after that until bringing reusable bags becomes a new habit.
Image: Microsoft Clipart
Got Your Bags?
3 Steps to Remember to Bring the Reusable Bags
There are three main steps one needs to take to remember to bring the reusable bags:
1. Getting the bags into the car (or taking them with you when you shop).
2. Getting the bags to the store.
3. Getting the bags unpacked and back into the car or ready to use again.
Reuse to Reduce
Ways to Remember to Bring the Reusable Bags
- 3 Steps to Remember to Bring the Reusable Bags
- Bring Your Own Bags
- Tips to to Remember to Bring Your Reusable Bags
- Remembering the Reusable Bags
- Memory Aids to Help Bring Reusable Bags
- Reusable Shopping Bag Reminders
- Make Your Own Reusable Box
- Write Yourself a Note
- Leave Yourself Sticky Note Reminders... Everywhere
- Write Yourself a Hanging Door Note
- Write Your Own Door Knob Hanger Caption
- Make Your Own Door Hanger Reminder
- Print Out Reminder Door Hangers
- Download Your Own Reminder Door Hangers
- Get Bags You Love
- Clip a Bag to the Keys
- Get Your Own Green Reusable Bags
- Put up a Sticker
Name This Plastic Bag Collection
This is only a small sampling of the bags that we collected while on vacation. Vote for your favorite name for this plastic bag collection or add your own.
Image Source: Kirsti A. Dyer. Creative Commons License. Non-Commercial Use.
#1
Plastic Stash
1 point
#2
Planet Poluters
1 point
#3
Plethora of Plastic
1 point
#4
Plastic Waste
0 points
#5
Bunch 'o Bags
0 points
#6
Trashtic
0 points
A Featured Lens on Too Much Stuff
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Too Much Stuff
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Most people in America have too much stuff. In our consumer-driven society we are constantly being enticed us to want more. Before long it's all just too much, it is disorganized. In a survey conducted by the National Association of Professional Orga...
Bag Plastic Bags!
Bag the Bag from the National Geographic and Edward Norton
Plastic is Covering Our Beaches
People in the United States are producing over 25 million tons of plastics each year and only a small fraction of the trash is getting recycled. Over 7 million tons of plastic spanning an area twice the size of Texas is destroying our oceans and harming our food chains. Animals mistake this waste for food and are dying either from plastic poisoning or blockage of their digestive system.
Image Source: Image: Ismael Franco. Trash. Royalty Free Use.
A Lens on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
A big part of the reason for being concerned about reducing your plastic bags and using reusable bags instead.-
The Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch
-
I got a wake-up call today watching the Earth Day show on Oprah. I discovered that there is a large floating island of garbage, twice the size of Texas somewhere between the West Coast and Japan. This moving ocean garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean i...
Bring Your Own Bags
(If you remember...)
Name the Resuable Bag Collection
Just a small sampling of the collection of reusable bags the we have to use. Vote for your favorite name for this plastic bag collection or add your own.
Image Source: Kirsti A. Dyer. Creative Commons License. Non-Commercial Use.
#1
Our SOS Bags (Save the Seas)
2 points
#2
Reduce Reuse Recycle
2 points
#3
Our Reusable Bags
0 points
#4
Our STP Bags (Saving the Planet)
0 points
#5
Our Bag Stash
0 points
#6
Our BYOB's (Bring Your Own Bags)
0 points
#7
Paper or Plastic? Neither
0 points
Tips to to Remember to Bring Your Reusable Bags
- Stash bags in your car and your pockets.
- Clip a bag to your keys.
- Shop at stores that offer a rebate for using reusable bags.
- Put the bags in the car as soon as you unload them.
- Put up a reminder note on the refrigerator.
- Hang the bags on the door knob so you'll see the on the way out.
- Put the car keys inside the reusable bags. You'll grab the bags to get your keys.
- Hang up a "Got the Bags" sign or door sign.
- Add a reminder note to your car dash.
- Put up a "Bring the Bags" Sticker in the car.
- Pay attention to the store signs. Many remind you to bring in the bags.
- Go back to the car and get the bags, if needed.
Remembering the Reusable Bags
Vote for Your Favorite Tip for Remembering to Bring Your Bags
Vote for your favorite tip or add your own.
1
Pack several bags inside of one, so you have more than one.
4 points
2
Write BAGS on your shopping list.
2 points
3
Put the bags in the car when you're done using them.
2 points
4
Put a bag in your purse or backpack.
0 points
5
Store your bags where you will see them like in the car.
0 points
6
Put a bag in your glove compartment or trunk.
0 points
7
In winter, put a bag in your jacket pockets.
0 points
8
Keep a bag with your keys.
0 points
9
Hang bags on the door handle of the door you use to leave your house.
0 points
10
Keep bags near your shopping list.
0 points
11
Find a routine that works for you.
0 points
12
Don't give up. Keep trying.
0 points
More Articles with Ways to Remember Your Reusable Bags
- How to remember your reusable bags : Super Eco
- Super Eco offers their tips with ways of remembering to use your reusable bags.
- How to remember your reusable shopping bags
- My Zero Waste offers tips for how to remember your reusable shopping bags.
- Don't forget your reusable bags Canada! Canada
- Smark Canucks offers their tips so you don't forget your reusable bags.
- 4 ways to remember your reusable bags
- Cheap Like Me offers 4 ways to remember your reusable bags.
- Get a Handle on Remembering Your Reusable Bags
- Last week I walked out of the supermarket with four paper bags and no she-brings-her-own-bags discount on my receipt. I forgot my canvas shopping bags - again from the - Gaiam Blog.
- Top 10 tips to Remember Your Reusable Bags by the Recyclers
- 100 Billion Bags of Plastic blog offers their top 10 tips to remember your reusable bags.
- Kick your Plastic Bag Habit - here's how!
- Hugg.ca offers their tips for helping you kick your plastic bag habit and remembering to bring your reusable bags.
- Tips for Remembering Your Reusable Bag
- Blissfully Domestic offers her tips for remembering your reusable bags.
- Over Coffee: Tips for Remembering Your Reusable Bag
- Over Coffee offers tips for remembering your reusable bags.
- Forgot your reusable bag?
- Tips from Daily Danny and his readers for remembering your reusable shopping bags.
- Suffering From Bagnesia? Never Forget Your Reusable Bags Again
- If you're frequently stricken by bouts of reusable-bag amnesia before you hit the checkout line at the supermarket, you're not alone from TreeHugger.
- Remember to take your re-usable bags when shopping - The Daily Record
- IT'S more important than ever to do your bit for the environment by remembering to re-use carrier bags - but fear not if you have a memory like a sieve.
- Do you find it hard to remember your reusable bag when you go to the grocery store?
- Tips that may help you remember your reusable bags from Backside Betty's Blog.
I'll Be Wrapped Around Your Finger
Image Source: Meonomous. Remember. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.
Memory Aids to Help Bring Reusable Bags
Memory Tricks to Help You Remember Your Reusable Bags
Source: Booth S. March 19, 2009. Remember to take your re-usable bags when shopping. The Daily Record.
- Awareness.
Visualize a landfill mountain or the ocean filled with plastic so you will remember the impact all this waste is having. - Make it fun.
Teachers and parents can make it a game. Get the children to try and spot how many people need reusable bags at the checkout; playing this game will help remind you to bring your own bags. - Make re-usable bags easily accessible.
Hang one or tie one to the inside of your door. The bag serves as a visual aid to remind you every time you leave the house. - Think about financial rewards.
Decide to shop only at the stores and companies that monetarily reward you ($0.05 back) for re-using bags when you shop with them. - Think about what you do with your bags after you are finished using them.
Work on completing the steps. When you have unpacked your shopping put them straight into your car or somewhere you will easily be able to see them as you leave the house. - Put shopping bags on your shopping list.
Put shopping bags right at the top of your list. This will remind you when you read the list, but the act of writing the words will help you remember and reinforce the habit of bringing the bags. - Car keys.
One trick is to keep your car keys in your shopping bag. This way you won't be able to go anywhere without pulling your keys out of the bag. - Impose a fine on yourself.
Decide that you are going to contribute a certain amount ($1.00, $5.00, $10.00) to a charity fund every time you forget to take your reusable shopping bags with you. - Make up a mnemonic you can remember.
Make something up that will remind you. Gordon recommended the word 'shop' stands for Shoppers Help Overcome Problem. I like the SOS bags for Saving Our Seas. - Use a visual reminder.
Put something on your refrigerator that reminds you to take shopping bags. Something as easy as a note that says "Got Bags?"
Reusable Shopping Bag Reminders
Make Your Own Reusable Box
They came up with a plan so they would never again leave the house without bag or box. They take a cardboard box and put it next to the front door.
This Going to the Store box contains:
- Several reusable bags that clip on.
An assortment of plastic containers that can be used for deli purchases (meat and cheese).
Other reusable bags.
The box itself.
Source: YouTube Video above and the January 28, 2009 How to remember your reusable shopping bags post from MyZeroWaste.com.
Write Yourself a Note
Write a Note with Post-its
Sticky Notes or Post-its are a great way to remind yourself about all sorts of things, including remembering to bring the reusable bags.
You can put up sticky notes on the refrigerator, next to your keys, with the shopping list, on the door going out of the house and even on your car dashboard.
Image Source Modified from Steve Woods' Triple Notes. Royalty Free Use.
Leave Yourself Sticky Note Reminders... Everywhere
Note to Self
Be sure to
Bring the Bags!
When I go shopping *and*
take them in the store!
More Post-its on Recycled Paper on Amazon
Post-it Recycled Notes in the Amazon Spotlight
Post-it® Notes, Original Pad, 4 Inches x 6 Inches, Lined, Recycled, Asstorted Pastel Colors, Five Pads per Pack
Amazon Price: $18.90 (as of 11/17/2009)
This assortment of pastel colored Post-it note pads are a great way to write your own message reminders.
The pads are lined and measure 4 x 6 inches
Write Yourself a Hanging Door Note
Write a Door Knob Note in the Amazon Spotlight
Knob Note - Dry Erase Door Hanger
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 11/17/2009)
Write yourself a note on this door knob note hanger.
The door knob hanger hangs easily on nearly any doorknob and includes a dry erase marker with built-in eraser.
Write Your Own Door Knob Hanger Caption
What saying would you add to your door knob reminder hangers?
The saying with the most votes by the end of August will get turned into another PDF downloadable door knob hanger.
#1
Got Bags?
2 points
#2
Got the Bags?
1 point
#3
Remember the Bags!
1 point
#4
Choose to Reuse
0 points
#5
Bring Your Own Bags
0 points
#6
Did You Get the Bags?
0 points
Make Your Own Door Hanger Reminder
How to Make Your Own Door Hanger
Making your own door hanger reminder is pretty simple.To make the Door hangers pictured here I used foamie door hangers and stick on letters.
- 1. Decide what you want to say.
2. Lay out the letters on the door hanger to make sure they fit.
3. Attach the letters to the door hanger.
4. Hang up the door hanger.
5. Remember your bags!
Door Knob Hangers Available on Amazon
K&Company Exposed Chipboard, Door Knob Hanger
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 11/17/2009)
by the Sea Door Hanger Craft Kit (Makes 12)
Amazon Price: $14.68 (as of 11/17/2009)
Print Out Reminder Door Hangers
Two Reminder Door Hangers designed for you to print out and hang on your door(s) to help you remember to bring the bags.
Image Source: Kirsti A. Dyer. Creative Commons License. Non-Commercial Use.
Download Your Own Reminder Door Hangers
- Bring the Bag Reminder Door Hangers
- A PDF File with two door hangers that can be printed out and hung on a door. These reminder hangers will help you remember to bring your reusable bags.
Articles on How to Make Your Own Door Hanger
- How to Design a Door Hanger to Designate Your Creative Space
- You can always buy a ready-made "Do Not Disturb" door hanger for this purpose, but wouldn't it be great to design a message that reflects your individual creative personality?
- Download Print Free Blank Paper Door Hanger Templates by Chris Dunmire
- Paper templates for Door Hangers available in white, green, blue, red, orange yellow.
- Do Not Disturb Door Hanger
- Kids love to be able to let others know their message when they are in their room. The following template will allow you to create a Door Hanger with a Do Not Disturb picture or from a blank template.
- Door Hangers from KidPrintables.com
- Kid Printables free printable fun for kids. This activity is a door hanger.
- How to Make Your Own Door Hanger Ads | eHow.com
- How to Make Your Own Door Hanger Ads. Before designing your own door hanger ads, it is critical to determine what the most important information you want to communicate is.
- How to Make Door Hangers | eHow.com
- How to Make Door Hangers. The most common door hangers are "Do Not Disturb" signs hanging on hotel doorknobs. Door hangers can also be used to welcome people, ask them to keep out or simply add a little sparkle to a door.
- How to Craft Decorative Door Knob Hangers for a Child's Room | eHow.com
- How to Craft Decorative Door Knob Hangers for a Child's Room. Want an easy craft project to make for a child's bedroom door? No crafting experience necessary, just a bit of imagination ! Here's how.
- Crafty Emma: Funky Fairy Challenge #7 - Door Hanger
- Images of some fairy inspired door hangers.
- Door Hanger Gift Bag
- A door hanger template from ByDonovan.com
Get Bags You Love
Fortune True Stylish Bags in the Amazon Spotlight
Stylish Reusable Bag Pack of 5 - Assorted
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/17/2009)
A collection of stylish shopping bags from Fortune True. These bags are made of 100% recyclable non-woven polypropylene with a side pocket. Contain a plastic bottom insert to help keep the bags sturdy. Each bag holds approximately 2-3 plastic bags worth of groceries.
Size: 12.5 x 13.5 x 8 inches wide. 13 inch handles
Burban Bags Available on Amazon
Flip and Tumble Bag in the Amazon Spotlight
Flip and Tumble 24-7 Ball Reusable Shopping Bag, Lime/Sky
Amazon Price: (as of 11/17/2009)
The Flip and Tumble bag is made of durable ripstop nylon. The bag has a 25 lb capacity. The bag also has a stretchy pouch that goes from a full size bag to small ball in just a few seconds.
Size: 12 x 14 x 5 inches. 26 inch strap.
Reusable Bag Collections on Amazon
BlueAvocado FAKB Fit Kit Reusable Grocery-Bag System, Blueberry
Amazon Price: $14.98 (as of 11/17/2009)
BAGGU Reusable Shopping Tote - 3-Pack
Amazon Price: (as of 11/17/2009)
Reusable Grocery Tote Bag 6 Pack Combo
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 11/17/2009)
Reusable Shopping Tote / Grocery Bag by ChicoBag - 4 Pack - Assortment (1 Green, 1 Blue, 1 Purple, 1 Mango)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/17/2009)
BAGGU Reusable Shopping Tote - Family Grocery Jewels,Multi,one size
Amazon Price: $35.49 (as of 11/17/2009)
Clip a Bag to the Keys
Clip on Reusable Bag in the Amazon Spotlight
Mini Maxi Solid Color Shopper L Bag by Reisenthel by Germany, Solid Light Blue
Amazon Price: $9.50 (as of 11/17/2009)
The Mini Maxi Solid Color Shopper is a great sized bag to tuck into all sorts of places in the car, at home, in the suitcase, at the office or at school.
Max capacity is 24 lbs.
More Clip on Reusable Bags on Amazon
Lemon Yellow Mod Print Reisenthel Mini Maxi Shopper L Eden
Amazon Price: $9.50 (as of 11/17/2009)
EZ Bag Reusable Grocery Shopping Tote Bag (Red)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 11/17/2009)
Green Bee 3pk Reusable Shopping Bags W/Pouch
Amazon Price: (as of 11/17/2009)
Chico Bag Green Reusable Shopping Bag 1.50 Ounces
Amazon Price: $4.59 (as of 11/17/2009)
Get Your Own Green Reusable Bags
My Green Sac Reusable Bags from Zazzle
Reusable Bags on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
More Lenses on Reusable Bags, Reusable Gift Bags and Snack Bags
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Reusable Snack Bags - Reusable Sandwich Bags
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My interest in finding ways to use reusable snack bags, reusable sandwich bags and reusable produce bags intensified after making the lens on Reducing the Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch. I realized when figuring out 15 Ways to Minimize Your Impact on t...
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Put up a Sticker
Bring Your Bags Sticker
Our local store provided these stickers that can be put on a windshield as a reminder to bring the bags.
The ironic thing is that with their new self-serve checkout, they haven't been able to figure out how customers can easily bring their own bags to use.
News Articles on Remembering Your Reusable Bag
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byChoose to Reuse
Blog Posts about Remembering Your Reusable Bags
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byBring Your Own Bags
Latest Twitter Tweets on Bringing Reusable Bags
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- fjkrugerross
- BYOB - Bring You Own BAG! 'Stores pay customers to shop with reusable bags' http://bit.ly/4njeh (via @WRAL)
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- SoftFlexCompany
- @BeadinPath RT http://twitpic.com/prgn1 - Our reusable bags. Our regulars bring back in for a .25 credit each time. #tweetyourbag [CUTE!]
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- wral
- BYOB - Bring You Own BAG! 'Stores pay customers to shop with reusable bags' http://bit.ly/4njeh #WRAL
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- GotYourBagsME
- RT @BeadinPath: http://twitpic.com/prgn1 - Here are our reusable bags. Bring them back in for a .25 credit each time. #tweetyourbag
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- mainemerchants
- RT @BeadinPath: http://twitpic.com/prgn1 - Here are our reusable bags. Bring them back in for a .25 credit each time. #tweetyourbag
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- SixPaws
- People around here look at me like I have two heads when I bring my own reusable grocery bags.
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- FlexVector
- My reusable grocery bags would be a lot more useful if I ever remembered to bring the damn things.
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- askPatricia
- Help save our planet one shopping bag at a time. Refuse plastic bags, bring your own reusable fabric bag on your next shopping/grocery trip.
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- theraizinshow1
- RT @marietweet #youmightbealiberal if you bring your own reusable grocery bags to the grocery store. (via @agentska)
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- agentska
- RT @marietweet #youmightbealiberal if you bring your own reusable grocery bags to the grocery store.
Read the Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
Did You Remember to Bring the Bags?
News Articles on Resuable Bags
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byReader Feedback on How to Remember Your Reusable Bags
Did reading all of the reminder help you think about bringing your bags?
Do you think that any of these tips will help you remember your reusable bags when you go shopping?
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Reply
- ChapelHillFiddler ChapelHillFiddler Oct 18, 2009 @ 7:35 am
- What do you know, I have this problem too! I've made so many crocheted string bags but getting them back into the car is the problem. I'm lensrolling this to my string bag lens and will try harder! I did better when I got back from Paris but now I've backslid.
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Reply
- CherylK CherylK Aug 15, 2009 @ 5:11 pm
- Congratulations on graduating from Summer School! And this is a wonderful lens. We've finally trained ourselves to remember our bags. But we returned to the car for them many, many times before it finally became a habit.
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Reply
- CoolFoto CoolFoto Aug 13, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
- Congrats on graduation from summer school! Great green ideas here.
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Reply
- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Jun 20, 2009 @ 10:17 pm
- I keep my bags in the trunk and sometimes have to walk back to the car to get them! I was at a farmer's market this morning and saw lots of people with their stylish bags. So much more practical than those cheap plastic ones. Great ideas here.
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Reply
- bdkz bdkz Jun 20, 2009 @ 12:04 pm
- Great "Green" lens!
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Reply
- spirituality spirituality Jun 20, 2009 @ 4:02 am
- What a great way to use the caption contest module to get a point across :) blessed
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Reply
- spirituality spirituality Jun 20, 2009 @ 4:02 am
- What a great way to use the caption contest module to get a point across :) blessed
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Reply
- JJNW JJNW Jun 19, 2009 @ 9:06 pm
- Nicely done! And eco-friendly
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Reply
- rms rms Jun 19, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
- Outstanding!
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by Comfortdoc
Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, grief and bereavement, professional health educator, professor...
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