saving the planet, (IKEA) , one bag at a time

Last weekend Matthew, Britney, Tim, Camden and I all hopped into the car and drove the 45 miles from Vandalia to West Chester to visit the brand new IKEA store. We had all been to an IKEA before, so we knew what we were facing. Britney and Tim went to the one in New York while visiting Tim's sister, and Matt and I had been to the one in Detroit twice the past year before we moved.

I was pretty pumped to go. I love their innovative ideas in furniture, and of course love their prices. We arrived about 1pm after eating at Chipotle. Camden was put in the stroller and we hit the showroom....well not exactly.... Britney and I stopped at the cafeteria to chow down on some triple fudge cake, and frozen apple pie with Swedish coffee...yum. Camden had a good time making funny faces eatin his mac' n cheese. (the real reason we went to the cafeteria...but couldn't pass up the cake!!)

We went through the showroom, lost each other a couple of times while Camden took a short nap. Then hit the warehouse below. Matt and I purchased some good finds hopefully for our new place. I hit up the fabric and Matt waited patiently. We also found a wall panel hanging of birch trees. Can't wait to put that up!

While we were checking out I felt such a sense of pride. A huge retailer is finally getting a clue. At IKEA, if you don't bring in your own bag to place your purchased items in, be prepared to pay for that nasty plastic bag. IKEA charges 5 cents per plastic bag that you request. WAY TO GO!

From the 5 cents they have collected, their partner, American Forests, are planting over 300,000 trees. Hopefully people we get the hint that if you want groceries, do what they did in the past and bring your own bag, and breathe better along the way.

I've heard that some people say it's inconvienent to bring your own canvas bag. But since Matt and I have been putting this into practice (which sometimes we forget, and do take a plastic bag when it's absolutely necessary) it's actually quite simple, and we live on the 3rd floor of an apt!! So it really isn't that hard, especially if you live in a house where you just walk out your side door. : ) Just leave the canvas bags at your side door and take them out the next time you go to your car. It's really not that inconvienent.

I think it's great what IKEA is doing. I read their article online about their program. I sincerely believe that they are putting this into practice because they care about the environment and the footprint they leave. Other superstores, like um...Walmart, are catching on, but it seems that they are only doing it for profit. It seems like all of their motives are done for the green....$$$ that is.

For the full article check out: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/press_room/press_release/national/blue_bag_thank_you.html

American Forests:
www.americanforests.org.