My paper delivery person thinks I am loony.

[Curmudgeoness]

But what else is new for people who hate waste and live frugally?

This is a new person this year, so he wasn't ready for this. I gave him his Christmas tip this morning, along with all the plastic bags that the paper came in all year and the rubber bands (except the ones I had a use for). He did appreciate it, but I got the feeling that he is not a recycler---I just hope that he reuses them. Waste not, want not.

[NMDemDist2]

1. LOL

that's classic!!

[liberal N proud]

2. Now that is sustainability

[Little Star]

3. You made me chuckle! You are quickly...

becoming one of my favorite posters!

[Curmudgeoness]

4. That is unsustainable. But I appreciate it while it lasts.

[LiberalAndProud]

17. Not true.

You have long been one of my favorite posters.

Modest post count, but when I find a post from you it's usually a gem.

[Curmudgeoness]

18. Well, thank you.

That makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I do a lot more reading here than posting, usually because it has all been said before I get to a thread. And I am rather shy about OP's. But it makes me feel good to know that someone out there reads what I do have to say.

[Booster]

5. Bet he told that story to everyone he met all day. lol

I found the people who appreciate the plastic bags from the paper were the volunteer dog walkers at the local Humane Society. They are exactly the right size and their eyes really lit up when I handed them a bog full of them.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. That's a good use for them too, in fact,

the ones that I had already used were for my cat litter---same principle. If this person does not reuse them, I will see if our shelter is interested.

Anything to keep from throwing away a perfectly good plastic bag!!! ANYTHING.

[Starboard Tack]

7. Yes, they are perfect for doggy-doo. I've been using them for years.

[badhair77]

8. I love this story.

Our dog runs to the front yard to get the paper for us (this is great on icy mornings). But she has an argument with the paper and pretends she's fighting it when she first picks it up which means it's full of teeth marks at times. After dancing around with her find she presents it to us in exchange for her morning treat. I reuse the bags that survive the battle.

Does the delivery person have to purchase the plastic bags? I never thought about returning them to save him money. Great idea.

[Curmudgeoness]

9. I don't know about everywhere, but here, they buy the bags themselves.

I found that out when I had a delivery person who always used them, after there was one who never did (soggy paper). So I asked him about it. That was what started my collection to return to him.

[maddezmom]

10. that is hilarious...bet he was surprised to get them back. I keep mine

for dog poo.

[Curmudgeoness]

11. What kind of frugal group is this?

Why does everyone think this is so funny!!! I must have stumbled into the wrong place---which is not impossible with this new DU.

[calikid]

12. A fun one so far!

I stumbled here, and I have a story that I like to tell.

I had a paper route ohhh so many years ago, and there was this one person who suprised me with the same gift as yours. I of course was a little stunned by his action, but much appreciated the rubber bands, the plastic on the other hand, not so much. After I had relayed the story to the rest of the route, the winner for the best use award was......dog poop

[Curmudgeoness]

13. Well, I got my paper this morning----a rainy morning, and

he had used my bags. I know this because the ones he used were all clear, and the carrier I had earlier in the year used colors. This one was in a colored bag.

I think that the reason my bags were useable is that I stack them, then fold the stack so that it is easy to get and use the bags again. If they were just stuffed in a bag all crumpled up, I don't think I would want to bother either.

But I have to laugh about there being at least one other person in this world who did that too!

[Shankapotomus]

20. After all the patience you had in saving them

I'm sure he would have felt bad if he didn't use them.

[NEOhiodemocrat]

14. That is a good idea

I save mine and our weaver's guild members use them to weave reusable market bags. We so like it when the carriers use the colored bags. Mine was on an orange streak and one of the other ladies had a bunch of the blue ones. Both made up nicely into tote bags.

[Curmudgeoness]

15. I love that use for the bags.

I want one!!!!!!!! And yes, the orange and blue would look nice.

I am just glad that so many people do use them instead of just pitching them every day.

[RainbowSuperfund]

16. Hi NEOhiodemocrat! This is such an interesting idea.

This is such an interesting idea. I'd love to hear more about how to make them, and see pictures too. I have too many grocery bags. It would be nice to make something beautiful and functional out of them. I saw someone with a bag knitted of plastic bags once. it was very nice.

[MADem]

19. I use grocery bags to stuff a giant floor pillow.

There's some other junk in there, too--some old (clean) rags, mismatched socks, that kind of stuff.

It's a very comfortable pillow--a canine favorite.

[RainbowSuperfund]

21. Dog beds! :0)

What an interesting idea! Are the pillows noisy with all the bag russeling sounds?

[MADem]

22. No, especially if you crunch/rustle 'em up to soften them a bit and pack 'em in tight.

Mix in your tired old tee shirts, single socks that were orphaned in the dryer, old drawers and other clothes with horrible old holes in them that are beyond saving, those disgusting old rags that are shredded to bits (wash them first of course), maybe a few cedar chips in the middle to make a nice stink, and you've got yourself a dog bed!

Any old thing (old pillow cover, cushion cover, e.g.) made of a nice material that zips up will do the trick, and the dog will like it--warm, and full of familiar things.

It's a trick I learned in the Arab world--a lot of those fancy floor pillows are full of "carrier bags" and even newspapers.

[amyrose2712]

23. I hope so too, you don't know how many times I say..

I don't need a bag, only to see the cashier throw away the bag she/he started to take for me rather than just use it for the next customer.

[Curmudgeoness]

24. Grrrrrr. That would make me crazy!

I assume that the bags are furnished to him in your area, and that they are not responsible for buying them.

I did talk to him, and he did reuse them.

[amyrose2712]

25. Great! I was referring more to convenience stores and such.nt

[Curmudgeoness]

26. Waste makes me crazy.

I have had that same thing happen. Like bags are free and landfills are unlimited and it takes no energy and effort to produce these bags---and all the other things they waste!