This growing collection has come to an end.

I admit to an unsightly and growing collection at my home with plastic bags. 

Every time I go to the grocery store, hardware store, or any store really, I come back home with a few more to add. A lot of stores are offering reusable bags these days, and I've finally committed myself to making the switch. 

I've tried this before while I was in college. I had a ton of free reusable bags that my mom sent me and also encouraged me to use. Of course I wanted to make the switch then, but it was always those unplanned trips to the grocery store that would trip me up. Once I waltzed into the store, I would seize up as if shocked by lightning, when I realized that I forgot the bags at home. It was easy to, you just don't think about it. I could've, now that I think about it, left some in my car. 

I've invested in a few RuMe bags. They are both pretty and functional, which are definitely helping me stay motivated to use them. They are just as light as regular grocery bags and easily fit in any purse I carry. I certainly won't be forgetting these at home.

I feeling so much better using these bags when I'm shopping, which might sound weird, but it's all part of my personal goal of becoming more environmentally responsible. If you're thinking about making the switch too, perhaps the facts outlined here can help. It's unfortunate that only 1% of the plastic bags are actually recycled. I'm also sad that I was not a part of that 1%, but now that I've made the switch, I can haul all of them off to the recycling center! 

There are a lot of other reusable bags out there that can replace plastic bags. Baggu's nylon bags has another great selection of bags with pretty designs and etsy has a bunch of reusable shopping totes as well. Of course you can check out your local markets, many of them sell them and maybe even give you an incentive for using it!

Have you made the switch? Do you think you will?