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Comment by TedDoesntTalk | Hacker News Reader

> Have reusable bags for groceries that last many years

There is another way. After you’ve paid for the items, put them back into the shopping cart. This is very easy at self checkout. Take the cart to your car and unload the items into one or more plastic bins (typically used to store stuff long-term and come with lids). Carry the bins into the kitchen when you arrive home and unload.

I can fit all groceries into one or two large bins. It makes unpacking items really easy once at home. I don’t have 15 bags to carry , reusable or plastic.

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Take the cart to your car

I think it would be better if you rode a bicycle or took a public transit, preferably train.

unload the items into one or more plastic bins

whoa there.. Not sure about those plastic bins. There is another way, unload them into handcrafted wood (sustainably sourced, of course), bins.

That still feels very far from net zero. The train is supported by rail and concrete. It is far better to walk or better yet minimize your trips to the store altogether. Reducing your motion will reduce your need to consume.

Reducing your motion will reduce your need to consume.

So true, I've been practicing slow shallow breaths to reduce carbon output. Staying totally still most of the day reduces some of the dizziness.

Laying down in a box (of course made of locally sourced wood) makes it very easy to stay still. Sometimes I still feel the urge to move so to prevent this a wooden cover is place and nailed to the top.

This is an unnecessary degree of sneering and disdain directed at someone sharing an an anecdote.

It's not unreasonable though. A small, reasonably efficient car uses the equivalent of 15 plastic bags of oil for every mile driven.

There is another way... Take the cart to your car

If you’re really concerned about your environmental impact, you’re probably not driving a car (which itself is made of hundreds of pounds of plastic). Much better to take transit, bike, or walk.

My bike has a folding pannier basket that perfectly fits a reusable shopping bag.

Not an option for many people in the US when the nearest grocery store is too far and you need to shop for a family.

Totally an option when you choose a place to live.

“Hey I NEED that plane trip to visit my family 2000km from where I moved last year”

At least we're doing all doing our part to make those seat pitches shorter and shorter.

There are cargo bikes, but some places are very bike unfriendly and culture is very hard to change.

My bike has a non-folding rear basket that fits two full-size reusable shopping bags. :-)

Totally agreed on the car. Seems silly for someone to talk about small amounts of plastic when they're driving a gigantic gas-guzzling SUV and pouring tons of carbon into the atmosphere.

Why don't you just bring your bags inside the store? Then you can put your groceries in your bags and don't need to worry about a cart

Don't have a car or a license. I walk/bike/transit to the markets.

I am looking for a cart [1], that I can push to the store and back with my groceries. Ideally, it will have large tires so it can actually be used in the winter.

[1] which doesn't look like a stolen shopping cart

"shopping bag on wheels"

I've got two big reusable bags in my car for that purpose. They fold up and take very little space. If you're buying salad and leafy vegetables, a basket is even better. Next time i go to the farmer's market I'll definitely take the basket.

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