Thinking it might be time to rake leaves but you're out of bags? It's possible you might be out of luck if your community allows only compostable bags.
In a check at several stores last week, the Target in northeast Minneapolis and Costco in St. Louis Park were out. The Wal-Mart in northeast Minneapolis had quite a few boxes of Bag to Nature 33-gallon bags ($7.96 for 10 each). Wal-Mart also had an AL-Pack brand of compostable bags with drawstrings for $5.36 (five-pack). (It's rare to find compostable bags with drawstrings. Most don't even have flap ties yet.)
If you're wondering where to shop for the lowest prices on compostable bags, it's usually warehouse clubs such as Sam's Club or Costco. Sam's Club had EcoGuard 33-gallon bags for $8.64 (20 bags) last week. Target had the Bag to Nature bags on sale last week for $6.99 for 10 bags, if you could find them in stock. In a price comparison earlier this year, Menards also had low everyday prices.
If you're using compostable plastic, get the leaves bagged and ready to be hauled away before the last pickup. Because the bags disintegrate when exposed to the elements, they probably won't stay intact until spring.
John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.
