Disgruntled eco-rant....

So after my encounter yesterday I feel very justified to prefer shopping at Whole Foods. Yeah I know they are expensive, but I have never had this experience there!

I went to our local Super.Target. for groceries. I will admit that they have a very good selection of organic and natural processed foods (not that much of a selection in produce though), and even in other natural/organic/eco friendly products. I ended up finding recycled paper/soy ink thank you notes for less than an arm and a leg, and they are now even carrying seventh generation feminine products. So thats the positive side.

I get to check-out and its a Saturday evening and BUSY! This is the only Super.Target. in our area so its bound to be super-busy on a Saturday early evening. I of course brought my re-usable bags (as I always do). So I stuck them on the conveyor belt first, since if I dont then they start bagging with plastic and have to un-pack which is more work for them. So I try and be considerate and place them on first. Well the look that crossed the cashiers face when she realized I brought my own bags was priceless. And not in a good way. The scowl that crossed her face was rather, um, off putting. So I decided that to make her life easier I would bag my own da*n groceries, you know to help her out. This woman was one of the slowest cashiers I have ever encountered, and of course I had a cart full of groceries. During my checkout another customer with only a few items comes up behind me, and the poor thing ended up waiting forever because of the slow pace of the cashier. So she finally finishes checking me out, and I have bagged everything myself. I go to walk away and I hear this exchange:

Other customer: "Wow that (bringing your own bags) must make it harder."
Cashier: "Yeah it makes it so much harder, but I wasnt about to say anything."

::Jaw drop ensues::

WHAT!!! Are you f*cking kidding me lady? I just bagged an entire cart of groceries FOR you, so yeah I can see how me bringing my own grocery bags makes it SOOO much more difficult for you. At this point I am completely disgusted. What an idiot.

Here's the thing, she seems (and here is a blatant shallow observation from me) like the kind of person who would say "well you are only saving a few plastic bags, and it makes things so much harder so why even bother." I HATE that attitude.

Guess what beeeotch I dont do things (especially things that benefit our planet and indirectly you) because they are the easiest. I do them because they make a difference. And yes me using five re-usable bags every week instead of ending up using between 6-10 plastic bags (because ew all know that they will put two things in a bag and call it a day) per week DOES make a difference. Enough that I almost NEVER get plastic bags, and the only time that I DO get plastic is when they sneak it in on me. If I forget my bags then I will usually just carry things out, or I will go back out to my car and get them. It may not make my life any easier, but that isnt exactly why we are here is it?

I wont harp on this for too long. What really sucks is that the company as a whole does seem to be trying to be more eco-friendly by adding more natural and organic products, and they even started giving 5 cents back for each bag you bring. But their staff leaves a lot to be desired in the supporting these changes.

A little math for you (that I was doing in my head as I was furiously walking away).
I use between 5 and 6 large re-usable bags for my groceries each week. If I didnt use these bags I would probably end up getting around 8-10 plastic bags per week. Here is our math problem for today (enjoy it because it wont be a common occurrence):

10 plastic bags per week X 52 weeks in a year = 5200 plastic bags used per year

and further

5200 bags per year X 40 years (rough estimate and probably a low estimate)= 208,000

Yup thats 208,000 plastic bags per lifetime. Of course this is all very roughly estimated and could vary, but HOLY CRAP!!! Over 200,000 plastic bags in one lifetime. And where do plastic bags end up? The VAST majority end up in landfills, where they stay for thousands and thousands of years. Yup thousands. Your (and mine) plastic bag will sit in the earth for thousands of years after you die. This is the legacy we are leaving our great-great-great grandchildren.

So yes, I will continue to use my re-useable bags, because it is the right thing to do. Whether or not it makes the poor cashier's life harder.

**You may now call me a crazy, deranged, eco-idiot if you must**