| Ths can be a hard sell. People seem to like their plastic - i.e. convenience. I'm thinking you'll have to offer some kind of incentive. Perhaps give a discount if people bring their own bags, whatver kind they are. This will at least get people to re-use plastic, if that's what they have. Or perhaps give a discount it they will take a cardboard box instead of a bag, and a further discount if they bring back the box. If you can find boxes that once held food, or something "clean" like paper goods, etc., re-using the boxes may not be so bad. I wouldn't put food in a used motor oil box, lol, but I wouldn't have a problem with food in say, a paper towel box or a banana box, as long as the box is very clean. You can find the cheapest source for cloth bags, and get them imprinted. You may have to give them away, or sell very cheaply, but you can think of it as advertising -IF the folks will use them! And perhaps over time, especially with incentives, people may come to love the cloth bags and may buy some. Maybe give one away and then if they want more they pay...? As far as green bags, there is paper. I know it takes more energy to produce up front, but IMHO, I'd still rather use paper than plastic. At least the paper can be composted and will degrade. I also know there are compostable/degradable bags out there made, I think, from cornstarch. Whether these fall into the category of taking corn away from the food supply, I'm not really sure. I haven't done enough research. Try googling for green container options. I think you'll find a few. Other than that, it takes training the customers, lol. Some will be open to new, green ways. Others will never budge. I don't use plastic at my stand at the market. I use paper bags with handles - pretty expensive, but I felt it was worth it. Most people don't seem to mind, but then again I'm a small vendor and don't make huge produce sales - I have mostly flowers. Good luck - and kudos to you for your efforts!
:)
Dee | 
