Baby step: remembering reusable containers for bulk liquid & cleaning goods

In this reusable shopping bag are five containers for the following: honey, maple syrup, olive oil, powdered dishwasher detergent and a general-use cleaning spray. I can buy all of these items in bulk at my grocery store -- something I only fully discovered a few weeks ago. I tend to be a very focused shopper -- I've got my list and my staple foods and the sections that I always skip (crackers, cereal) and there is little deviation from the routine. But one day I mindfully wandered up and down the aisles and really paid attention. I noted that the store carried my Biokleen dishwasher detergent in bulk as well as their cleaning spray. Then I noticed -- for the very first time -- the amazing liquid bulk foods section: organic canola and olive oil, tamari sauce, maple syrup, two kinds of honey and a few other items. How could I have missed this before?

Getting into this habit isn't too hard, but like any baby step you just have to be ready and wanting to embrace it. I was ready. Here's how I established this new habit:

1) I made a list of all the bulk liquid & cleaning products that I knew I'd buy.

2) As we ran out of those items, I rinsed and set the empty containers on the counter as a reminder.

3) When I had a few set aside I brought them to the store and immediately went to a cashier to have them all weighed at once. They weigh the empty containers, called the 'tare weight', and then subtract that weight when you check out so that you aren't paying for the container weight. The cashier writes the tare weight on a sticker, which stays on the container.

I can't tell you how many times someone has seen me filling up my glass honey jar and remarked, "I didn't know you could do that!" I know! It's not a huge money-saver for most things -- I think I save about $1 on the honey and maple syrup each time. The biggest saver is the cleaning spray, because I only need a couple of tablespoons of solution. The rest is water that I fill up at home --- I love not paying for water! For the most part I don't think it's really enough overall savings to motivate the average consumer to go this route, but dang it feels really good doing it. Particularly when I refilled that spray bottle, knowing I wasn't bringing another plastic container into the house. That felt great.