I was at Ikea last night picking up some stuff for home DIY (I love working with my hands 🙂 ) and at the checkout, realized that Ikea now charges 20 sen for a plastic bag. Its no wonder that they have dropped the price of their big blue bags to RM1.90 each. Fortunately, I bought small items which I could throw into my Rootote.
I was also at a Carrefour hypermarket recently where at the cashier lane, I was informed that they were not giving out plastic bags but I could purchase or “rent” their reusable bag at 50sen. I later read they were charging something like 20 sen for plastic bags. Again, into the Rootote they went.
These are the present “Go Green” efforts by the local hypermarkets and stores. I read about public hue and cry over the additional costs for plastic bags at Carrefour (although some lauded the approach) but I don’t know how well received it is, generally or how long it’ll last.
The problem as I see it is that many Malaysians do reuse the plastic bags we get for our garbage. I do anyway. Recycling or composting is not done in a big way here, and if you live in an apartment and have wet rubbish you don’t really want to compost or recycle because the heat and humidity will really make your place stink up. So, what alternatives for garbage bags do people have? Buy them? Kind of defeats the purpose of cutting down on the use of plastic bags right?
That said, I’m all for using your own reusable bags for shopping or grocery shopping. I primarily use the RuMe bags and I keep the Mini in my bag all the time. I may need more because I switch bags now and then and forget. I also carry around my Envirosax for larger bulkier objects – after all I already own it so I might as well use it. And now that Ikea is starting to charge for plastic bags, the RuMe Macro I own finally has its use for carrying bulky objects home from Ikea!
The initial cost of owning a reusable bag can be comparatively high (e.g. RM29 for a RuMe Mini) but if the stores are going to make it the norm to charge for plastic bags, I’d think the long term benefits outweighs the initial cost, don’t you? 20 sen a bag can really add up after a while.
Of course, you don’t need the compact little Rume bag. You can always reuse old plastic bags or paper bags or get the cheaper reusable bags sold by the supermarkets or any foldable reusable bag available in the market. Just keep a couple in your car or handbag so you don’t forget.
One firm favorite of mine is the black one you see in the picture above which I got from MidValley Megamall one year. Its perfect for carrying large heavy items. For groceries, I happen to prefer the RuMe as it looks more fashionable and is easier to throw into my handbag so I don’t forget when I grocery shop after work 🙂
Have you made it the norm to carry a reusable bag? What are you using?
Stay beautiful and Go Green!
Paris B
Celine says
It’s about time the hypermarkets and supermarkets do away with giving out too many plastic bags. I have been using my recycleable bags many years ago, and those were purchased when I was overseas or Singapore. When I first used them here, shoppers were giving me a disapproving look. And I have seen many shoppers using the recycleable bags purchased from our southern neighbour too.
Anyway, I’m intrigued to get a RuME or Envirosax, have been eyeing a Rootote for a while. Does anyone know if the Rootote is durable enough for grocery shopping? The mini RuME states that it can carry up to 13kg, which is great.
ParisB says
Hi Celine
I use the Rootote mostly as a tote handbag less for grocery shopping though it could do in a pinch. It depends on what you are carrying as its heavier and bulkier than the foldable bags. It may not be able to carry the 5kg rice pack but it can carry some tinned food and eggs and vege well enough. I prefer to use a RuMe for groceries. Its light, easy to stuff and pack.
Celine says
Hi Paris,
Thanks for clarifying it. After reading your posts and reading more about RuMe, I think I’ll go for the latter, although it’s more expensive. Coincidentally, my sister is in the US this week, so maybe she can pick up one for me. I checked their website, it costs US$8.95 each for the mini ones.
beetrice says
I hear ya on the weird looks bit…the shop girls always have a shocked look on their face when I tell them “I don’t need a bag” – once the girl even replied “oh okay” and proceeded to stick my item INTO a plastic bag…autopilot??
I have the “not a shopaholic” bag as well for larger purchases, but the rume is great for popping into my day to day handbag.. 🙂 *heart*
Yammie says
dear,
i carried my envirosax whenever i am out for shopping. i used to have rootote too which i ordered from Australia (before i read your post). btw, my 6 yrs old is like my rubbish collector, day in day out looking for things that can be recycled so that she can dumb those in her school’s recycling containers 🙂