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The giveaway item from Our Virginia Home will be a DayPack15 rePETe™ from Chicobag.com. When visiting their website, look for the rePETe™ label to identify items made from recycled materials.
The ChicoBag Company designs reusable bags, packs, and totes that can be used in place of plastic bags. Made of recycled PET ripstop fabric, the DayPack15 provides a durable and lightweight solution for transporting items when traveling or commuting. It has adjustable shoulder straps and an attached pocket that also serves as a storage pouch for the pack.
One of the neat features of the DayPack15 is the closure system. You do not have to worry about hands slipping into your bag and taking valuables. You can rest assured that nothing will fall out of your pack. If you need some extra room, there are also flexible pockets on the side.
If you would like to learn about how plastic is impacting our environment – specifically the Pacific Ocean – please watch the video “Pacific Garbage Dump.”
Our Virginia Home has a DayPack15 on its way to us. Look for our review in the next few days. We want to share the vision of ChicoBag founder and inventor, Andy Keller, by limiting the amount of plastic bags we use.
For your chance to win a DayPack15, please use the Rafflecopter form below. Only the first two entries are mandatory while the rest will count as additional entries. The giveaway will run from 12:01am June 1st to 11:59pm June 15th. Good luck!
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oh gosh… I’m probably embarrassed to say lol
I think we go through a lot less than most families because we are avid green bag shoppers…
I 9would personally be willing to go up to the manager and ask if he/she would be willing to have their store participate in that sort of thing “)
The nature of the pacific causes it to keep trash within its waters cycling over and over again :O
Wow…I don’t know how to guess on that one…never thought about it…probably 1000 or so???
tarter95 at hotmail dot com
yes, I would consider the discount. Every little bit of money saved is just that…saved!!
tarter95 at hotmail dot com
that is a hard one we somesitimes use reusable but like plastic for the dog….700 maybe
yes! wow i have never heard of getting a discount for using them! that is definetly more of an incentive to use them more
i learned there is 3 1/2 million tons of junk and half is junk in the ocean in one spot! ive never heard of a place like that
I’d say our family goes through about 2000 bags a year.
Our store does it already offeres a discount!
Probably about 800
I would be willing to ask the manager
We probably use about 20 per month, so about 240 per year. Wow, that sounds like a lot!
I probably wouldn’t speak to the manager about it.
too many, 500 or more.
Yes, I would I love saving money and this might encourage me to remember to use the reusable bags more often/
awesome video- i learned its an awful thing
400 or so. That’s sounds bad when I add it up!
No, I’m not comfortable asking the store to change their policies. I’m not that brave.
Maybe 700 bags per year.
I probably wouldn’t be comfortable asking them to do that, but I do appreciate stores who do offer it as a perk. I’m pretty shy, and it would be hard for me to ask something like that.
at least 5 a week? wow.
my store does do a 5 cent discount per bag. no, i don’t think i would take to time to ask for me.
none, we use recycled bags
we always use recycled bags, so if they provided a discount that would be great
Hmmm I’d be willing to bet the number is at least 300. I usually shop at grocery stores that don’t provide bags, and the one grocery store I go to that does provide bags already gives a discount for reusable bags. Grocery stores are doing pretty well with this, its the other retail stores that need to get on the ball. I’d be willing to ask small local stores because they have less red tape when it comes to offering discounts like that!
Counting all stores, I’d say like 700. I tell them I don’t need one when I only have a few things or less.
We do not use many because we have reusable bags. I’d say about 50.
Yes, I would ask the store manager about the bag discount idea. Kroger does seem to encourage bringing your own reusable bags.
Watched the video. I am convinced that plastic is evil. That’s just horrible.
we dont use any as they have been banned in portland oregon.
I’ve never really thought about how many but at say 4 a week, it would have to be in excess of 200.
I probably would not discuss with the store. I’m not that outgoing.
Just watched the video and was shocked and disgusted. I may speak to my grocery store after all. I knew shopping bags were causing some problems in the oceans but I did not realize the extent or about what all the other plastics were doing. I am certainly going to be using reusable bags from now on for my shopping. When I can afford it I will be buying items not packaged in plastic.
We try to use reclyable bags, then paper so maybe a couple hundred plastic per year.
our store is a big chain so doubtful they would give incentives – they’re all about $$ themselves
that ocean garbage is amazing – I’m so glad they’ve gotten strict with cruise ships that used to dump continuously in the oceans
To be honest, I didn’t know how many I was using till you asked that question…I would say roughly maybe about a little over a 1000 give or take…That sounds like so much..
Yes, I would probably ask if I remembered to do so…I didn’t know stores did discounts if you bring your own bags. I live in a really small town and they probably don’t do that here but after knowing I use at least a 1000 a year I would think about it.
ewwww. That video showed me, just like the man said, the ocean is a plastic soup…I don’t like that at all….I can not believe that we don’t take care of things like that…Being from a small town in Ohio, I haven’t even ever been to see the ocean but I am not so for sure I would want to go after watching that video…Disturbing…
Hardly any now! We have been using reusable bags for the past couple years. They have worked wonderfully! We do still use plastic bags for meats and produce ( but those turn into doggie bags or bathroom trash liners)
Our store enter you into a raffle for each reusable bag you bring.
I have no idea – generally, we try to use reusable bag or paper bags, but I’d still say we probably use at least 50 a year and I’m probably lowballing that.
No need to talk to my store manager to see if my preferred store would do this because it already does 🙂
My family uses about 15-20. I always use reusable bags but fiance doesn’t when he stops at the store
Yes I would. I think having a incetive would make more people aware of reusable bags and away to cut down on their costs
about 20- I use alot of bags, and unless it is something I have to have and they- yes some stores refuse reuseables they do not get my business
yes have talked to stores and managers
I have no idea how many plastic bags we use but probably 5 a week.
I think only one of our local grocery stores gives a 5cent credit if you bring your own shopping bags. It’s funny how they all sell the reusable bags but don’t give a perk for using them. I’ve also noticed that the baggers don’t really know how to fill the reusable bags, it’s like they’re afraid they will be ruined. As for speaking to a store manager, I don’t know.
How many plastic shopping bags per year do you think your family uses to carry purchases? We use about 100.
I’ve all ready asked & was told He would look into it. I feel like I was just blown off. Most baggers have no idea how to bag with reusable bags.
I would say alot but I am trying to be better about
We use probably around 200 or so…
The only store we have is Wal-Mart and they will not rewrite their policy…
Usually it’s none since we use reusable bags (I LIVE in Chico, after all!) but occasionally we forget or purposefully get bags since we use them to line the garbage in the bathrooms. So I’d say 50?
I would speak to the manager, yes. But we live in a very eco-conscious city and most areas already provide this discount, thankfully! It’s very nice.
I would say alot, but my husband is the only one who won’t bring his own bags in! We do reuse those plastic bags as garbage bags though!
No, I don’t like confrontation!
I use canvas bags most of the time, but often I get more than I have bags for so I still use about 200 a year or so…ballpark.
The stores I go to participate in giving discounts to shoppers, but if they didn’t, I would probably suggest it. I’m a couponer, so I always talk to the manager when i start shopping at a new store about their policies so that I adhere to them.
Thanks!
We go through around 700 plastic bags in a year
We probably use at least 200.
We probaby go through 10 shopping bags per trip x 52 weeks per year, plus probably 2 more during the week…so, we’re looking at probably 624 a year at least.
Why not talk to the manager? The worst they can do is say no!
im guessing we use somewhere between 500-1000 bags a year
yes i would because if they say yes thats another way i could be saving money
i don’t know… maybe 100? we really don’t use plastic bags that much. we have reusable grocery bags.
we use reusable bags at the grocery store, although I sometimes for get them so we go through about 100 bags per year
I would talk to the manager, I’m sure they would at least consider it
too many bags! Though we try and remember our re-usable ones
I would but I am a bit shy! Most of the stores I shop at already do offer a discount
at least 250? scary!
Probably over 300 bags. Yes I would consider talking to a store about giving a discount if I bring my own bag. I know whole foods does. Sometimes I just forget to bring a bag.
way too many thats for sure,time to get green
i would talk to store manager about that but they dont even except printed coupons so i dont think they would go for it
We shop in bulk..so i would say less than 100
1000 is my guess
I would discuss it but not push it because i dont suppose plastic bags are all that expensive that they would consider giving a discount unless the owner appreciates a green lifestyle.I would rather start using my own bag without a discount 🙂
We use probably about 75 a year – every now and then there is an impulse buy or we forget our reusable bags.
I have suggested it to several managers at my local chain (Stater Bros). I think many conventional grocery stores in California are hesitant to start offering that incentive because there is a movement in many counties/cities to ban plastic grocery bags.
My BF used to live in Hawaii and still has a boat there. It is shocking how much trash you find randomly floating several miles offshore. In one half day fishing trip we netted several large mesh bags full of trash.
It was in Hawaii that I also learned to always tie knots in my plastic bags — keeps them from blowing away so easily.
1500 plastic bags
I would LOVE to see stores participate in this, because I am all for saving the planet 🙂 I would not, however, probably ask a store manager to participate, because that is not my personality! I wouldn’t mind emailing a manager though!
I almost always take my reusable bags with me but use plastic for things like meat and vegetables. That adds up to maybe 2 or 3 a week. Wow! That is still over a hundred a year.
I know that some of the stores I shop already do. I will consider asking other that I shop all the time. I shop at Aldis every week and the savings you see there includes using your own bags.
I would estimate that I use just about 10-12 because I carry my own shopping bags. The plastic that does make its way to our house usually gets used as small trash can liners.
Yes, I would suggest this to store managers! I think I would volunteer my 5yr old as an “artist” to help create a design on their bags, too (if they would want something beyond their own logo) to make it more unique.
I don’t know how many I use per year. I try to remember to bring my reusable bags. Less than 100, I think.
The stores I shop at all give discounts, but if they didn’t I would ask the clerk first and then the store manager.
Let’s just say I’d rather not think about it… although, our bags always get reused.
Considering the size of our family (10) kids… I think I would talk to the store manager about starting the program, if I’m ever at the store without all of the kids hanging off of me telling me they want everything in the store LOL
I’d say we use about 400. On smaller shopping trips I bring reusable bags. We grocery shop once a month. And other than grocery we don’t really get out much to shop, lol.
Yes….I love shopping at target because they give a 5cent discount for each reusable bag used. Every little discount helps.
I would estimate about 100 bags per year
I would discuss it with a manager because I think it’s a great policy, but both of the places I shop already give discounts for using your own bags.
We always have canvas bags in the car, so probably less than 1 per week.
i would never consider discussing it with a manager, of course I like getting the discounts, but I don’t use canvas bags for the discount. Rather than giving discounts I would prefer stores to charge for plastic bags to discourage their use.
I would say at least 500 bags a year. We almost always reusable bags for groceries, and then we don’t shop/buy much after that.
I would discuss with a store manager to see if they would participate, although I believe many stores in my area at this time would be reluctant to give discounts.
Maybe 3000 bags a year.
Yes I would ask my store about participating. I am always looking for a way to save money.
I believe my family uses less than 30 bags per year.
I don’t think I would discuss it with the manager because I believe the store would already participate if they really cared about the enviroment
Probably 600. However, we recycle ours.
We do a lot of our shopping at Aldi’s. You have to bring your own bags, or pay for bags at the store. I carry reusable shopping bags in the trunk of my car for when we shop there. If we go to Walmart, it is just easier to use the plastic bags. We then save them up, take them back to Walmart and recycle them.
Wow I really have no idea. To many is probably the best answer
I would say we use about 200 bags a year. I carry my own bags, but I still ask that all raw meat products be put in store bags.
Our local stores already do this. I always use my own bags.
Since we use reusable bags for groceries, I’d say maybe 100- from other stores.
My Kroger store used to give 3 cents off for every reusable bag but sadly they discontinued this. It was a corporate decision and I remember people posting how disappointed they were about it on their FB page
500? considering they double bag and we come home with maybe 8-10 per trip.
not necessarily because I use these plastic bags as garbage bags and I don’t want to be rid of the ability to get free garbage bags for life 🙂
I really don’t have a clue; but I guess I would estimate about a thousand
I would talk to a manager; but I imagine that corporate would have to make the decision
I do a pretty good job of bringing my own bags to the store. Yes, I occasionally forget to bring them or stop at the store unplanned. I would guess around 150, which I bring back to the store to get recycled.
about 650 bags a year thankis
yes i would talk to a manager at the store
My family goes through way too many plastic bags. I would be afraid to even guess at the real number. Groceries alone my household probably goes through 250 bags a year
Our stores no longer offer a discount if you bring your own bags. They have found that it did not benefit the store. Bottom line is what matters most to the stores apparently
We have 7 in the house, and so I am willing to bet 50% more than most people responding here.
I like the idea that Aldi’s charge you for bags- great way to get people to bring in their own reusable bags!
Probably at least 100 plastic bags – and I know it was a lot worse. But now we use reusable, except for the rare times we forget. Then when we do end up getting them, we save them to recycle.
Funny you should ask – I’ve been thinking of asking my most-frequented store about offering a discount per reusable bag (like Target has). Now I guess I just need to do it. 😀
we more than likely go through thousands of bags
i have thought about using recycled bags, i only have a few, so hoping to collect some more before i start
we probably use 500+ a year! i know its alot but i reuse them for garbage bags so i dont buy garbage bags i just use those bags so if i did buy garbage bags it would be the equivalent i think to the same amount roughly
if i wasnt so shy i most defanitly would but i have such bad anxiety i dont think i would ever feel comfortable enough to go talk to them but in another life one where i am not shy i would totaly do it! i think every store should do it its a great way to waste less!
My family probably goes through thousands of plastic grocery bags every year.
I never heard of stores giving discounts for not using their bags but it does make sense. I would consider talking to the store manager to see if they could do something like that. I think alot of people would be bringing their own bags if that were the case.
thats a hard question, probably hundreds, but i do recycle them
tmarie56@hotmail.com
the grocery store that i use does give rewards if you bring your own bags
tmarie56@hotmail.com
i learned that most of the garbage is 80%plastic, that is unbelievable. i think that alot of people need to make a lifestyle change
tmarie56@hotmail.com
Unfortunately I forget my reusable bags sometimes. I bet we use 200 plastic bags a year.
My local grocery store does give a cash incentive for each reusable bag that you bring and use.
I wouldn’t begin to guess how many we use I am sure it is too many and just about all the stores I shop at let you bring your own bags.
I recycle
i would say at least 150 bags..
All the stores I shop in give a small discount already..
I’m getting better about bringing my bags, so I have probably used 100
The grocery stores I use already give discounts, so I could talk to the manger to thank them for this talk about ways to promote it.
A conservative guess would be 200-250. And that’s mostly my mum who lives with me. I tend to take my own bags if I know I will be shopping.
One of the stores I shop at already does this. Cities here in WA are looking are making plastic bags illegal which I absolutely support. It’s the solution I like best because it does not rely on consumers best intentions or choices. I would definitely speak to the manager and suggest implementing the fee for bringing your own bag. Unfortunately one of the biggest offenders is my mum. She refuses to give up the plastic bags and she lives with me. Until I can get her to stop the practice, I feel it would be hypocritical of me to suggest anything to anybody.
Unfortunately I knew about this already having read a lot about it and seen a couple documentaries and news videos. The web is a great resource for all types of information. It’s part of the reason I started taking my own bags when shopping, and try to buy products with the least packaging or at least the most environmentally friendly packaging. As I retire things made of plastic I am replacing them where possible with glass and/or metal. I like to think I have cut my plastic footprint quite a bit already though I am far from done. I also point out my friends and family whenever I can the evils of plastic and our oceans and wildlife.
Maybe 3/week – 150
We were military overseas and started with the reuseable tote bags decades before mainstreamed here in the states. I will put some frozen in plastic before putting it in the bag during extreme heat
NO – I do not bring bags for the 2 cent credit, I bring them for principal.
Personally I wish they would charge people 5 cents or more for each bag they use and I do suggest that to store mngrs. instead of reimbursing me, charge them for the supplies they are requiring and more people will adopt reuseable alternatives. They also won’t double bag or take extras home to line their trash bin. Same principal as putting .25 coin locks on shopping carts. Most people will put them where they are supposed to just to get that .25 back. Before they would leave them in the middle of the road, propped against other cars or just where ever they finished using them.
150
I believe the store I go to does that already
Watched the video – it’s so sad.
they now have compostable clear plastic from plant sources. We need to shift the production so that the convenience that people want and demand do not create such harm to the planet.
We have drastically reduced our personal purchasing of plastic items.
Hope I can put all the answers in one comment 🙂
1) We probably use around 500 bags I’d guess. Maybe less.
2) I would definitely ask. I think this is great incentive to use less plastic AND it could be cost efficient, too!
3) I had no idea how much damage is being done or how the bags basically cycle through the oceans. This is terrible. While we do use plastic bags, we also do use a lot of canvas bags. In the past few years, we cut down on plastic a lot. Also, we don’t throw out our plastic bags often. We recycle them within our home. For example, I bring my lunches to work in the same bag and we use them to carry things from place to place. We also use the plastic bags when cleaning my cat’s litter box. I know we are not perfect and this video makes me want to try to cut down even more, but I am glad my family at least makes attempts to reuse the plastic we do have.
probally 800
as a cashier i would be cause it saves on all the plastic bags we use and it wont go to waste
around 300
About 30 I estimate! Boo…….:(
Blue Strong on FB
What a great lightweight bag! Perfect for hiking or trips to the zoo!
Wow, I’ve no idea, I’ll go with 200. We try to use cloth bags as much as we can. Plastic bags are kind of useful though as trash bags and cat litter bags.
The local stores we use offer a 5c discount for bringing your own bags so we always try and remember to take them along and claim our discounts!
I hate the amount of plastic that goes to waste. I drink tap water rather than bottles and if I have a bottle I try to reuse it as much as I can. I’m from the UK where they sell juice in concentrate form so you only need a small amount in a cup then top it up with water – one small bottle lasts a very long time! I’ve noticed the the US, although there is some concentrate available, juice that comes in bottles is ready to drink which leads to more plastic waste!
Probably several hundred, around 200-250.
I probably wouldn’t. Not that I don’t care, but it’s more so that I’m extremely shy and don’t want to be a bother to people while they are working.