I have long suspected that grocery store clerks are paid according to the number of plastic bags they dispense. They seem to strenuously (but nicely) resist my efforts to take home fewer plastic bags.

In one instance, my few, small items were placed in two bags, and I asked that they be put together in one; the clerk happily complied and then double-bagged them for me. On my most recent visit, I bought six items, and I specified that one of them not go in a bag. The remaining five, small items went into four bags.

I have to request that gallon containers of milk or bleach, with their perfectly adequate handles, not be bagged, and then I must watch carefully because those helpful clerks so quickly forget my request.

I regret that I often forget to take the reusable bags from my car’s trunk, but I have been trying to redeem myself by bringing my accumulated plastic bags and wrap back to the store’s recycling bin.

Please, folks, bring along your reusable bags. I will try harder to remember mine.

— Richard Brisbin

Salisbury