Is there such thing as being TOO eco-friendly? I faced this dilemma this weekend, and it has left me pondering on the many merits of Target's plastic bags. I have solidified the habit of using re-usable shopping bags as of late. It used to be a half-hearted thing--I would bring one into a store when I thought it about it, which was only a fraction of the time. Lately, I have kept all of my re-usable bags (and my beloved grocery basket, a gift from my MIL) in the backseat/trunk of my car. In fact, my determination to make this habit stick has resulted in 100% re-usable shopping bag usage.
The dilemma came this weekend when we needed a Target bag. Lo and behold, we were completely out. After a brief moment of eco-euphoria, I found myself annoyed. How could it be possible that I had finally used the mountain of saved Target bags only to find myself needing one more? Are they really that necessary? (If you're wondering how I solved my quandary, I went to Target and made a purchase, just for the plastic bag. ha.)
Target's plastic bags are a notch above the rest. They are not as flimsy as bags from the grocery. This is important to me--if you're going to make me ruin the planet, at least let me do it with quality plastic bags. Here are the 5 primary uses of Target bags in our house"
1. Cooking catchall: Whenever I cook, I hang a Target bag on a cabinet doorknob. As I chop onions & garlic, the peels and ends go into the bag. Later, an eggshell might be tossed in as well as the wrapper from a stick of butter. Cooled bacon grease or cooking oil from the friend chicken gets poured in as well. Afterwards, I tie it up nice and tight and throw it in the trash--those garlic and onion fumes will be safely contained!
2. Funk-container: I hate leftovers. But I have them anyways. Anytime something has over-stayed its welcome in our fridge, it goes straight in a Target bag, and it's tied up tight and thrown in the trash. Again, no funky leftover fumes wafting throughout the kitchen.
3. Doggie bags for walks & runs: Better take one just in case! Boy oh boy, it is so embarrassing when you are without a Target bag and your dog decides to do his business right in the middle of someone's driveway. Yipes. Thats when you hustle home, grab your Target bag, and return to the scene of the crime.
4. Emptying the Dyson: Joy to the world for the DC17 Absolute Animal Dyson. No vacuum bags, just an awesome, powerful canister that sucks up all the dog hair in your house and will expel the contents into whatever you wish, upon the press of a red button. Our container of choice, of course, is a Target bag.
5. Lining the bathroom trash can: No one likes emptying the trash. But it's a lot less painful when you can take off the top, tie the Target bag, and toss it.
Looks like being eco-friendly gets you some planet points, but sometimes it's still necessary to pick up a few earth-destroying Target bags. What do you use yours for?
6 comments:
You can save both Target bags AND Mother Earth by composting your food waste (#1 and #2).
When some of my athletes complained over the winter/Christmas break about not having access to weights to do their suggested workouts, I suggested grabbing some shopping bags and filling them with "whatever" and using them like dumbbells or kettlebells (whichever you prefer). So, your Target bags could contribute to the development of your very own home gym! :0)
Target bags are also good for poopy diapers instead of just putting them in the trash can. :)
Chris and I save our target bags for picking up Daisy's business outside. But we refuse to use any other type of plastic bag in Avery's diaper champ. The target bag holds more diapers and keeps the stink out better!
This is hilarious! I had no idea Target bags had so many uses. I use them for "doggy duty" and "soggy laundry" mostly.
Ripe diapers. Food scraps (which I send home with our maid to feed her pets). Bathroom trash (can't flush toilet paper here...you do the math!).
Generally I use reusable bags here, though everyone has plastic bags if you need them (way flimsy!), but if I realize I'm coming up short, I'll just make a trip to the grocery store without my bags and restock.
One hint to reduce the number of bags you use for your kitchen waste, either scraps or old food - after you cook, put the bag in the freezer, tied enough to contain smells, but not so tightly that you can't open it again. Keep adding to it between trash days - frozen food doesn't stink - then seal it up and take it out for pickup.
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