"Paper or Plastic?"

(My dad's 'bright' idea, nearly sans-plastique. Step by step!)

Just like uninsured citizens and mullets, plastic bags are a thing of the past. The stuff is derived from rotted dinosaur guts from the Jurassic Era, folks. So how do you show people you're on the cutting edge next time you reach for that bundle of radishes? Ditch the plastic!

Look around your house. How many things can you find used to carry something in? Assign the kids to counting and enjoy an hour or two of freedom, because really there are so many options! Plastic (and paper) bags were taken in by grocery stores as a way to serve the consumer, but if you think about it, the waste created by digging up and processing oil and cutting down our leafy green trees is actually a huge disservice to us all. If we would all pick up some slack and be a bit less lazy, we could save an outstanding number of resources! Bringing your own carrying device is no sacrifice. Just pick something up on your way out the door.

For veggies and fruits:

I have a small collection of scarves to tie up string beans, kumquats, and those unruly button mushrooms into tidy bundles. Bigger stuff? Just stick it in the cart!

For your entire grocery load:

Beach towels, fabric bags, hand baskets, head baskets, jackets (also dad-tested), cardboard boxes from your nearest corporate dumpster, suitcases...backpacks....

wheelbarrow....wagons....sleds (weather-appropriate).......pockets........

I started to get creative here, but why not?

So next time they ask you "Paper or plastic?" be prepared to say "No sir! I prefer my T-Rex 6 feet under and my trees round and upright." The power is in your hands (and baskets and backpacks and ...)