s/o Bags for Bulk Goods?

[cee3]

I like to buy a lot of stuff out of the bulk bins at our grocery store (flour, sugar, raisins, granola, etc.). I use cloth grocery bags and produce bags...what do you all use for bulk goods? The plastic bags are annoying me. I've considered bringing the glass jars that I store the stuff in, but I think that would get a little pricey :.

[snanna]

Originally Posted by cee3

I've considered bringing the glass jars that I store the stuff in, but I think that would get a little pricey :.

Go ahead and take them, just have the clerk mark the "tare" weight on them before you fill them (I've done this even with containers that still have a little of whatever it is in them-- easier than waiting until I'm completely out).

[VeganCupcake]

Yup, take in your own containers and fill 'em up!

Another option for some things is to buy or make gauze bags to take to the store. There's a pattern here. They won't work for crummy or powdery things, but they're good for anything that holds together reasonably well.

[fek&fuzz]

Originally Posted by VeganCupcake

Yup, take in your own containers and fill 'em up!

Another option for some things is to buy or make gauze bags to take to the store. There's a pattern here. They won't work for crummy or powdery things, but they're good for anything that holds together reasonably well.

Oh, I am so making some of those for myself and to give to people at Christmas.

[thehappydeer]

I totally recommend investing in canning jars. They are so great to have around the house. We keep all our granins, beans, spices in them, use them as water bottles for travel, and keep leftovers in them in the fridge! Check the thrift store for them if you want to save a few, but be aware that sometimes the thrift store has them marked just as high as when they're new. I also save all kinds of glass jars, from jelly, pasta sauce, etc, and use those too, but i always prefer the streamlined mason jars, much easier than having so many sizes and all different lids! Save up for them, i don't think you'll regret it!

[cee3]

Originally Posted by thehappydeer

I totally recommend investing in canning jars. They are so great to have around the house. We keep all our granins, beans, spices in them, use them as water bottles for travel, and keep leftovers in them in the fridge! Check the thrift store for them if you want to save a few, but be aware that sometimes the thrift store has them marked just as high as when they're new. I also save all kinds of glass jars, from jelly, pasta sauce, etc, and use those too, but i always prefer the streamlined mason jars, much easier than having so many sizes and all different lids! Save up for them, i don't think you'll regret it!

Yes, that is what I use to store stuff, too. I've augmented my collection with large glass jars I bought at World Market (they're just a few dollars) for things that I need more of at one time (sugar, flour) and little jars that I've reused. Generally what I do, though, is bring my bulk goods home in their little plastic bags and then fill up my jars. I'd never considered bringing the jars with me. Next time I'm at the grocery store, I'm definitely going to ask them if I can just use my jars...that would make me happy.

[SneakyPie]

I have a little stash of paper and plastic bags that I dust out and reuse many many times at the bulk counter. Carrying glass in to the store would just be a nightmare for me, with a running toddler. But I can get probably 20 uses (or more) out of a paper bag, and maybe twice that out of a little plastic bag. So it's not 100% sustainable, but it goes a lot farther than originally designed for, and it's still lightweight. This is all for small/tiny/fine items like flour, falafel, sugars, herbs, etc.

I'm crocheting some little stringy bags for produce, which are v. lightweight and save even more. I'm color-coordinating them -- several green ones, but also orange for carrots or oranges, red for tomatoes/apples/peppers, yellow for bananas/grapefruit, purple for grapes/onions, brown for potatoes, white for mushrooms/daikon. It's fun!

[CrunchyParent]

Originally Posted by thehappydeer

I totally recommend investing in canning jars. They are so great to have around the house. We keep all our granins, beans, spices in them, use them as water bottles for travel, and keep leftovers in them in the fridge! Check the thrift store for them if you want to save a few, but be aware that sometimes the thrift store has them marked just as high as when they're new. I also save all kinds of glass jars, from jelly, pasta sauce, etc, and use those too, but i always prefer the streamlined mason jars, much easier than having so many sizes and all different lids! Save up for them, i don't think you'll regret it!

As a little tip, I've found that these items are pretty easy to come by on freecycle. Many folks canned way back when and then don't have the time for it any more or something. I posted an ISO for canning jars last year and ended up being offered far more than I could ever take. One woman left me 8 BOXES filled with jars on the porch of her farm. Some were all buggy and cobwebby, but they washed up just fine.