I, Ruth have heard the debate between paper and plastic in local grocery stores.  A favorite store only has plastic because it is economical for them, and with this market, watching every penny is important – even though it isn’t good for the environment.  Another store may offer paper because, again, a little better for the environment, cost a little more, but shows the customer that – the environment is a concern.  While paper and plastic continues to be offered – I, Ruth have noticed a different trend.  Would you like to buy our bags for a $1, asks the clerk?  Once the bags are brought home and unloaded, the bags can be stored in the trunk of my car for the next visit to the store.  Now, I think this is admirable to offer such bags to the customers as an option.

My question is why do the bags have to carry the store’s logo?  For example, the bags we carry with a store logo – I, Ruth have no idea what that store represents, environmentally.  Am I buying these bags for $1 a piece to tout that I am green and saving the environment one bag at a time?  Or is the store using these bags to show a “green” side just to make more money with no intention of really making an impact to the environment – sort of riding the revenue marketing bandwagon?  Why do I have to spend $1 per bag and offer free advertising for the store?  Are these bags really environmentally friendly?  Are they made in a giant factory out of new materials?  And essentially – what am I advertising?  As we wear name brand clothing and bags, advertising to the public who and what we are and what we stand for.  Whether it is money, color, etc.  It is our choice to wear what we don’t know and wear what we do know.  When faced with this dilemma, I, Ruth have decided that I will carry my own bags – of neutral re-claimed material made into a sack that can be carried into stores – without logos.  Old purses and materials made into something different that can be carried.  I, Ruth have decided that my home-made quality is superior to me than the alternative.  I, Ruth will have these bags available online to purchase soon.  I believe this to be a win for the environment, a win for me, and possible win for the stores – of course, when the behavior is changed and we are provided a reason why we should carry their logo or provide us with bags without labels for a $1, then of course – I would be glad to purchase.  Until then, I, Ruth will be label – less.