Haggen bags it up big time

We all want to do our part in saving the planet, right?

And it’s never been more politically correct to do so. Indeed, doing little things in our daily lives has turned into a very big thing.

Take for example, the reusable grocery bag boom.

Nearly every grocery store in the land has launched its own branded bags, including Haggen Inc., which has sold more than 31,000 emerald green bags since summer at its 32 stores in Washington and Oregon.

That includes more than 7,700 bags sold at seven Snohomish County stores, with Stanwood selling the most with 1,900 and Lake Stevens a close second with 1,600 at last count.

At 99 cents a pop, that’s not bad.

Haggen’s current reusable totes are made from a byproduct of plastic manufacturing, limiting the additional energy needed to produce them compared to the production of new plastic grocery bags, which requires petroleum and often natural gas.

Haggen is also developing a tote that can handle hot or cold food as well as another tote suitable for wine bottles.

Customers are still welcome to bring used plastic bags to Haggen and TOP Food stores for recycling.

Good job, Haggen.