Did you know the average person uses between 600 to 1200 plastic bags a year?  Not so green.  Everyday I strive to be more carbon neutral in all aspects of my life.  I recycle all recyclable goods; I buy in bulk when possible; I even turn off the water while brushing my teeth.  But one place I always slip up on is remembering to bring my reusable shopping bags to the grocery store.  I don’t know what it is, but I always get to the store and remember just as I walk through the door that I forgot my good ole tote at home.  I actually get a little mad at myself.  I have a feeling I’m not alone.  Soon cities all over the country will follow the lead of San Francisco who banned the use of non-biodegradable bags.  So, let’s all resolve to do better – here are three tips to help you and I remember those dang on reusable shopping bags:

1. Hang your reusable bags over the back of your car’s passenger headrest.  This keeps the bags in plain sight and helps you remember to grab them when shopping.
2. After you unpack your groceries, immediately place the empty bags on the doorknob of your front door.  This is another reminder to take your bags back to your car for your next shopping trip.
3. For women, and men who carry man bags (that’s another posting), if you have plastic bags from previous purchases stash a few in your purse and reuse them in the emergency that you forget your reusable bag.  Don’t forget to return those bags to your purse for the next such emergency.

There are other ways to transport groceries as I have learned by taking notes from all my fellow Whole Food Shoppers in Los Angeles.  Try The Book Bag Stash, The Basket Bundle or even the Two Hand Carryout!

Whether your reusable bag is from Trader Joes ($1.99) or Hermes (an astounding $960.00 LOL! – pictured right) you will look smart and help our planet at the same time.  So get in the habit of remembering to bring your own bag every time you shop.  I Dare You To Be Domestic!