Going green
In the spirit of Earth Day, which was celebrated on Wednesday, I felt the need to share a recent experience.
Last weekend, I decided to take my adorable three-year-old and go shopping. Our first stop took us to a shoe store located outside Chenango County. After selecting our purchases we went to the check out counter, where the cashier asked us if we’d like to purchase a reusable bag. The girl was sweet and eagerly explained how the bags were being sold to help save trees and reduce the amount of plastic bags dumped in landfills every year.
It sounded completely reasonable to me, and since I like to take little opportunities to help the planet, I gladly agreed to fork over the extra $1.50. The reusable bag was cute and sturdy and I felt good about making the minimal effort to do something for the earth.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure the girl at the register understood exactly how the bag was supposed to help the environment. After ringing us up, she quickly shuffled my purchases into the traditional plastic bags before folding the reusable bag in half and placing it in a separate bag. I stood there for a second, waiting for understanding to dawn on her, but she just smiled and pushed our purchases across the counter. I’m not entirely positive, but I think even my three-year-old saw the irony in the situation.
Regardless, of the outcome, I enjoy seeing more and more businesses taking steps to encourage and promote environmental awareness, even if those attempts aren’t entirely understood by all.
April 29th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
That is way too funny. Not perfect here, but it’s funny how some people think. Where I live, there is a grocery store that sells it’s food products at rock bottom prices but charges 3 cents per bag. It’s amazing to see that every single shopper brings their own bags.
April 30th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
After ‘getting looks’ once in awhile from some people in grocery stores when I asked for paper-in-plastic/so I have handles – and how that was not “green” – I came upon some great bags that I could purchase that came in many different designs lift that much!)they even have a KIDS collection and they are great! I purchased a set (5) and they come with their own little pouch that folds down to a very tiny size – I just bring all five (in the pouch) into the store and ask the clerk to use them. Admittedly, I do ask that my meats be put into plastic to avoid leaking blood onto the bags (ewwww!).
If interested, their website is: http://www.envirosax.com