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Tote bags help environment
By Lisa Fischer
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| KEEPING IT ORGANIZED: Polly Kuhnke, Lovegroves store manager, re-positions the cloth tote bag rack on Jan. 11. (Staff Photo by Lisa Fischer) |
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WAVERLY – Tote bags are not just bags. One moment they are laptop carriers, the next book carriers. More recently, totes are being seen carrying groceries.
The word “tote” means, “to carry.” A tote is usually made of cloth, canvas or recycled materials. It is a large square shaped open bag with a handle centered at the top of each side. The bag is designed to carry minimal necessities.
The original story of the tote goes back to the 17th century, but today’s totes did not become popular until the 1990s.
These days, the tote is in high demand because of the large amount of space, its lightweight and practicality. Totes offered at supermarkets are light and inexpensive ranging from $0.99 to $3 in price.
They are also a greener alternative to plastic carrier bags.
“We have sold the bags for about four years,” said Polly Kuhnke, Lovegroves store manager. “Between 20 and 30 percent of our customers use them,” Kuhnke said.
According to Kuhnke, Lovegroves began selling the bags when the economy took a turn for the worst in 2008.
She said storeowners wanted to do something for their customers and the environment.
Kuhnke said the bags come in one size and carry the Our Family Brand, which is Lovegroves store brand.
Not only can tote bags help the environment, they can also help keep money in your pocketbook. Some stores offer discounts to those using the bags.
According to Scott Quick, store director of No Frills in Ashland, the money back is a win-win situation. He said it helps customers because they have an incentive to use the bags and benefits the company because they do not have to purchase as large a quantity of plastic bags.
Quick said the store has sold cloth bags for about three years. They the store decided to begin selling the bags after listening to customer concerns and identifying the business’ concerns about plastic bags being an environmental hazard.
“We wanted to be conscious of our environment,” Quick added.
At present, Quick said between 25 and 30 percent of customers use cloth tote bags at check out.
Another local grocery store, the Val Market, also sees repeated cloth tote bag use.
“We thank customers when they use them,” said Brian Turnwall, owner and operator of the Val Market.
He has seen patrons use cloth tote bags since he became owner of the venue about four years ago.
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