Reusable Shopping Bags
By Jenn (TinyChoices.com) | August 30, 2007
By this point most folks have heard that disposable plastic bags are killing us, and everything’s starting to suffer–creatures in the sea, the trees, and the victims of Mumbai floods in 2005. Only 2% of plastic bags are recycled in the U.S. each year, which is a miniscule drop in the 10-billion-bags-per-year bucket, and it leaves us with an awfully big mess to account for.
(Funny story: I was once on a first date with a guy who said to me, “I bet you’re one of those people who brings their own shopping bags to the grocery store.” Why, yes! I am one of those people! There wasn’t a second date, but still, funny story…)
So, if you’re ready to cut back/cut out plastic bags from your diet, here are my favorite selections for reusable bags you can buy. Stay tuned for Part II of this post from the lovely Karina spotlighting ways to get crafty and DIY your bags.
A great online resource for all things reusable is ReusableBags.com– hit them up for shopping bags, drinking bottles, lunch bags, and more.
I’ll always have a soft spot for Chico Bags because they were the first reusable bags I began to carry around on a regular basis. They squish up nice and small into an attached pouch . Plus, they captured the elusive Plastic Bag Monster on video! [warning: superscary Plastic Bag Monster behind the jump!]
Envirosax bags have handles which are long enough to go over your shoulder, and their graphics are out-of-this-world beautiful–they have made reusable shopping bags Klassy. The bags fold up with an incorporated snap system at the bottom of the bag and they’re sold individually or in sets of 5 (perfect for keeping in your glovebox, you know, if you have a glovebox.) Envirosax also to take the environmental thing kind of seriously:
Situated on 10 acres of pristine Australian rainforest, the Envirosax team’s abode is totally ecologically sustainable with solar hot water and photovoltaic cells for electricity. A sewage system recycles waste water, watering the extensive permaculture gardens and filtered rainwater tanks provide the premises with water. …Visit the Sustainability Education Resources page to see our great environmental resource tool for educators, parents and children of all ages.
And Reisenthel makes gorgeous products–nylon flower-print bags, with shoulder-length handles, which stuff into a small sack, and collapsable market baskets in solids and prints. I love the idea of shopping at the market with a basket, but it seems like they might be a bit unwieldy to carry for long distances– so perhaps better left for those with short walks to a farmer’s market, or car-based shoppers.
Edited to add:
Minus Bags–designed in Brooklyn and produced in New Hampshire:
If we each make a small change in our lives, then collectively we can create a big impact on the world. –MB Mullan
What’s your bag habit look like?
Topics: Waste | 26 Comments »
We refrained from buying anything new–we have several canvas totebags that we’ve gotten from our jobs/schools, and others that have arrived as promotional gifts (like the one from the pricey natural food shop down the street). I’m 100% in support of ending the fearful reign of the plastic bag monster, but my tiny choice is to not take up any more resources buying something new when what I’ve got is perfectly serviceable.
Great Great Great Tiny Choice, JW!
I have a couple of the big bags from Trader Joe’s that I take with me most places, and I’m knitting one from the pattern in the latest knitty to keep in my purse. If I forget a bag in my car, I will avoid the bag, anyway, and walk out with my arms full of my groceries. I just dump everything in the bag when I get out to the parking lot.
I get really frustrated when I see the customers at the farmers’ market I go to carrying around all kinds of plastic bags. Even my CSA share comes in a plastic bag — it’s from a really small farm. (I reuse it, but would rather not have it at all.) One farmer told me that he’s looking into getting corn-based bags for next summer, as long as they don’t melt in the rain. Still, though, I would think that I’d see a lot more reusable bags, but I don’t.
Have you seen Morsbags – people get together to make bags from recycled material, and then hand them out at their local shops.
That is so radical! And rad, too!
you beat me to it, fiona d! I discuss morsbags in todays post -
I carry at least two Envirosax in my purse at all times – they are stylish and fold up to become uber small
http://www.envirosax.com
I bought a Chico bag at the co-op in Albuquerque, and I carry it in my work bag, but it wouldn’t be my main bag – it seems rather, ummm, not that strong.
My main shopping bags are my ortlieb panniers when I’m on the bike, but when I’m on foot or in car, I use heavy canvas bags – one from a market in Princeton, and two which were thank you gifts for supporting my local public radio stations. (flashes obnoxious toothy grin)
I especially love my WNYC ecotote because it is huge, superstrong and has long handles so I can easily slip it onto my shoulder.
also, I tried sewing my own bags from a friend’s old curtains, but it didn’t quite work. I have enough bags of my own, but would love to try it one day – ya, know, for gifts and whatnot
I’m constantly surprised at how much the Chico bags hold– it’s been my main bag for a good while now, and sometimes I really overload that puppy. But when on my bike, panniers rule. Hey, are you getting the oyster barge panniers?
I can’t really justify buying them now since I, ummm, don’t really have a job. Maybe, though, once I get a job or I’ll put them on my “hanukah list.” I’ll definitely let you know, though if and when I do get them.
Oh, the co-op! I didn’t shop there much when I lived there, but I so would now.
i have about 6 canvas bags … and i constantly forget to bring them with me!!! keeping them in the car is a good idea, until i use them and they end up back in the house again.
i do try my absolute hardest not to take more bags from stores … if i didn’t bring my own, and i must take a bag, i fill it like you wouldn’t believe. i usually get weird looks from the cashiers – but oh well.
i guess i better make a tiny choice right now to remember my darn bags!
There is definitely a learning curve with remembering to always have the bags with you (and, um, there are times when I still forget, like today!) What helps me is to always keep it in a specific spot– like after you unload your groceries in the house, put the bag on the front door handle, so that you can’t leave the house without them. Or something.
I hang mine from the doorknob on my front door, cat, and that way I remember to take them back out to the car with me when I leave the apt. in the morning.
Jenn’s tip works! :)
Minusbags makes really large and sturdy bags in great colorful designs. They are 100% cotton– and lightweight enough to fold up into any handbag, too. And unlike the others out there, they’re made in the US. I think it’s important to “buy local” whenever you can. They are for sale online at http://www.minusbags.com
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I just use all these random canvas totes that come from conferences that I and my father go to. One tote for every conference/professional development meeting adds up to a million different bags. Once I end up with too many I’ll just start handing them out to people at the grocery store.
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