Bagging most groceries makes no sense

Here is the usual process:

1. Walk through the store grabbing groceries and place them in the cart
2. At the checkout take the groceries out of the cart and place them on the conveyor for the clerk to bag or bag them yourself
3. Put the bagged groceries back in the cart
4. Load the groceries into the car
5. At home unload the groceries to the kitchen counter
6. Unbag the groceries and put them away

The way I do it:

1. Same process of shopping
2. At check out leave groceries in the cart and use the hand scanner to methodically scan each item.
   • Most items don’t need to leave the cart
   • I start at the front and move items toward the front as I scan each to help keep track.
   • I bag some of the smaller items for connivence, usually one or two bags
   • (this won’t work if your store doesn’t provide hand scanners)
3. From there it pretty much goes the same

Benefits:

• Obviously less bags is always better.
  • Less to dispose of at home and less waste of something that is a one time use
  • Less cost if you buy them in a state that requires it, mine doesn’t
• Less heaving at the checkout counter since the big stuff stays in the cart. Especially this is nice since most of us self checkout these days.

Drawbacks:

• A few extra steps and movements when loading and unloading the car
• A handheld scanner is required. I use the cordless ones at Walmart.
• If there are many groceries it can be a hassle to self checkout. I use the larger self checkout lanes at Walmart which are pretty much like a regular checkout lane without the checkout person since I only shop once every two weeks.

So, nothing earth shattering or life changing but I feel it goes smoother and I do feel good about using less bags though I’m not a huge tree hugger, more like I smile at them maybe rub their bark a little.