B.Y.O.B.

It’s getting serious enough that I sense some sort of unofficial competition happening when I checkout at the grocery store. There’s something in the air, like people have caught the reusable bag bug. I look over at aisle two, and I notice a man proudly stuffing his goods into reusable bags. He is shamelessly scowling at the woman in aisle three, who is apologetically filling up eight plastic bags, eyes lowered and shoulders slumped.  Meanwhile, there’s another guy who has these great bins filled with produce that he is manoeuvring into his cart, like he’s delicately packing a moving van.  I steady my eyes, step up to the cash, and open my backpack. Game on. At this point I’m twisting, shoving and coercing everything I buy into my one bag. No plastic for me.  I quickly zip it up and step away to have a look at my work. Just beautiful.  I look around triumphantly, nodding and smiling. The ‘bin guy’ looks over approvingly. I did it!  I’m in the BYOB club now. The question is,  are you?

Joanne Adair