If you took a poll of grocery store cashiers everywhere, probably the number one thing they hear from shoppers is that they forgot their reusable grocery bags in the car or at home.  I know I’ve been guilty of it quite a bit, and it always irks me that I can’t remember that one simple thing. After all, the purpose in using reusable shopping bags is to reduce the amount of plastic in the environment, but if we can’t even remember to take them, we’re really not doing our part, are we? If you also struggle to remember your bags, here are three things you can do to help remember them.

Write it Down

What do you do when you need to remember to pick up a gallon of milk at the grocery store? You write it down on a list, right? If you’re like most people, you have a running list in the kitchen with everything you need to purchase the next time you go to the store. One of the easiest ways to remember your reusable shopping bags is to make a note at the top of your grocery list. That way, as you’re looking over your list before you leave the house, you’ll remember to grab the bags on your way out.

Keep Them in Your Purse

What if your reusable bags were with you all the time—wouldn’t that make things easier? But if you use the old style clunky bags that comes in all different shapes, textures, and sizes, keep your bags in your purse probably isn’t an option for you. After all, you’d have to carry a pretty big purse to fit them all in.

But what if you could find reusable tote bags that folded up so small and compactly you could fit them in your purse? Luckily, they exist, and manufacturers like LA POP Design expandable shopping bags fit the bill. These colorful bags that are shaped like fruit and vegetables will fit into any purse, but will still hold up to 20 pounds per bag.

Attach Them to Your Keychain

If you don’t carry a purse, or are looking for a way for your man to keep a reusable bag on him at all times, why not put a keychain hook on one of the bags and attach it to his ring? When folded up, the bags are so small and compact that they won’t get in the way. And if he doesn’t want a bag attached to his keychain? Ask him to carry one in his pocket. Yes, they’re that small!

There are lots of good reasons to use reusable shopping bags in your everyday life, but if you’re like most people, your good intentions get left behind sometimes. Put an end to the forgetfulness, and get yourself some bags that are small enough to fit inside the smallest of purses or pockets. After all, if you can remember the milk, surely you can find a way to help you remember the reusable grocery bags!