any one plastic bag free?

We only used the plastic grocery bags for our kitchen trash, but we're using up the last few and then it's bag-free. Our pail has a plastic bin with a handle so we're going back to what my grandparents did - put the trash directly into the bucket and then empty the bucket into the trash bin for collection. Then if necessary, we rinse out the bucket.

We have very little trash to begin with. We recycle what we can and we just try not to buy much stuff with packaging.

Even produce can be bought without using those millions of plastic bags. I use a basket for produce. They run it through the checkout and it goes back into the basket. Since I only buy enough for 3 days or so, I don't have rotting veggies in my fridge and I use those old enamelware fridge trays to hold the veggies. If I need to use a bag, I use a muslin cloth bag.

Sandwich bags have been replaced in our home with a couple of WrapnMats, but I plan to make my own without the plastic lining out of linen or hemp which don't mold and wash well, dry quickly.

No more plastic bags for us. Oh, and of course, we don't bring them home anymore because I always shop with a tote. Mine were given to me. They are made of a tarp material and I use them even at Target, etc.

I saw a great idea for making your own out of old blankets and vintage tablecloths. It was in a Cath Kidston book about vintage style.

It may seem next to impossible to go plastic-free, but you could experiment for one week and see. Just box up (hmmm...in a plastic tub? hee hee) all the saran wrap, baggies, etc. and just use glass, enamelware, cloth, etc. alternatives. When I looked at what I really needed it was much less than I thought. Trash as described aboe by mystic~mama. knittingmama for storing leftovers a day or so in the fridge. Sandwich bags can be replaced with cloth napkins and cloth drawstring bags for chips and such. I've been playing with homemade sandwich (envelope-type) bags made of ripstop nylon. Not plastic-free, but longer lasting, reusable. I like Wrap'n'Mats, but I don't like the plastic liner. It feels icky to me (IMHO). I might make some with the nylon on the inside.

We had a discussion of using barrier cloth since the weave is so tight, but I haven't ordered any to play with yet. I would use that (untreated cotton) instead of the nylon.

I'm gradually letting go of the plastic bags. I do still take a few plastic grocery bags, because we use them when cleaning up my cat litter boxes. DH refuses to consider alternatives to plastic for that, and I don't blame him. With three indoor cats, it's a sloppy, smelly job. He does it, so he's entitled to call the shots on how it's done.

I haven't used ziplock and saran wrap in years; my grandma bought me a whole set of tiny and small and medium size corningware storage containers with lids, and we use those or we reuse old yogurt containers and stuff.

The only thing I know I won't be able to get rid of is kitchen trash bags. I rent my place, and we have the landlord's regulations to follow as far as trash disposal, and they unfortunately mandate plastic bags.

People look at me like I'm a total freak at the regular grocery store. I guess I'm the only one who shops there who brings bags. It's even worse when i don't use the little produce bags; it really annoys the check out people for some reason.

I have a stash of plastic bags that I am slowly using up for trash bags and such but I haven't brought any new plastic into the house in a month and a half. Actually I lied. I did have the lady at Barnes and Noble put my book in a bag even thought I asked for no bag but my kids were distracting me and I didn't realize until I walked out the door. I actually felt defeated, LOL.

And the lady at Target opened a plastic bag to put my stuff in it before I handed her my canvas bag and when I gave them to her she ripped off the perfectly good bag and threw it in the trash and gave me a dirty look. Like she was going to teach me a lesson for inconviencing her. : But my 7 year old took care of it and explained to her that she was filling up the land fills by wasting plastic bags and she really should get it out of the trash and use it. Not that she did but he returned the dirty look she gave him.

Even my kids have their own canvas bags that they bring to the store with them.