Environment & Energy

What I do is if its food stuff that can liquify or mushify and leak, I put in plastic bags.

For trash that doesn't have that problem, in violation of HOA rules, I put in a paper bag, and put a paper bag over that, and tie the handles (they make a big hoohah about loose stuff coming out and flying all over the place when the trucks pick up the dumpsters and turn them upside down).

I do put recyclables in the recycle bin and they don't tell us to bag them, so much for the loose stuff argument I guess.

I read that plastic bags in recyclables is a no-no as they get stuck in recycling machines and jam them.

As for carrying groceries, I have tote bags (some plastic, some cloth) that I reuse over and over again, continually patching holes with duct tape, so it's a lot of labor.

HOA = Homeowners Association. (note I'm in Minnesota, not California)