I am a bit annoyed at all the restrictions put on reusable bags/totes. I usually bring bags when I go shopping and look forward to the shops that give extra points/discounts when you do. Lately though, stores have been insisting that it has to be their specific reusable bag or bag types. It seems like as long as they get paid, they don't really mind about keeping one extra bag out of the landfills. Please correct me if I'm wrong:
Zellers: Only HBC reusable bags are valid for bonus points. (100 bonus points = $0.0125 if redeemed at 80,000 points = $10)
PC stores: Only PC reusable bags/totes are valid for bonus points. (50 points = $0.05)
Giant Tiger: Only reusable bags (not plastic) valid for discount. (1 bag = $0.03)
The idea is the same, keeping their plastic bags out of the garbage so I think customers should be rewarded for the same effort.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reusable_shopping_bag
"An unpublished report from the UK's Environment Agency found that when compared to a traditional plastic bag, a canvas or cotton reusable bag would have to be reused a total of 171 times to offset the higher carbon emissions. The same study found however that the average cotton bag is used only 51 times before being thrown away." - from Wikipedia
I'm not sure my bags last being used 171 times, so does it really make a difference? It all feels like a magic trick. While my attention is diverted (thinking I'm saving the environment), I'm really creating a larger carbon footprint.