Going Shopping? Don't Forget Your Tote

IdealBite tip: Choose a reusable bag whenever possible.

ByABC News
October 28, 2008, 3:53 PM

Dec. 29, 2008— -- Paper or plastic?

The Bite

How about neither? We use shopping bags for a few hours, but they can take several lifetimes to decompose. New foldable nylon versions make it easy to bring your own bag wherever you go, whether it's clothes shopping or grocery shopping.

The Benefits

Oil and tree savings. In the United States, 12 million barrels of oil and 14 million trees go to producing plastic and paper bags each year.

Discounts. Stores like Safeway and Whole Foods offer a 5 - to 10-cent discount if you bring your own.

Being a role model. Other shoppers will watch and learn. It means safety for sea creatures (plastic bags are the fifth most commonly found item in coastal cleanups).

Personally Speaking

Jen's brought her own since the days when loading up a canvas bag at the store wasn't so popular. She still gets weird looks from other shoppers, but that's for other reasons.

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