Shopping bags have really come a long way. Baskets turned into paper grocery bags, which then gave way to disposable plastic bags, and now up next in the evolution of the shopping vessel is the stylish reusable tote bag. A lot of cities are beginning to tax disposable plastic bags in grocery stores, and rightly so in my opinion (just see my post on the Pacific plastic trash island to see why), and with pocket size replacements that can go anywhere, there really are no more excuses.
So lets get into it:
Flip and Tumble
Material: Ripstop Nylon
Size: The size of a peach folded, carries 2x the amount of a common plastic shopping bag. (12″ x 14″ x 5″)
Cost: $7-$12 depending on quantity
Why: The smallest and easiest to crunch down to fit into your purse or backpack
They have a wide palate of colors/prints, and the single long padded handle strap allows you to shoulder the bag. Also check out their produce bags.
Baggu Bag
Material: Ripstop Nylon
Size: Folds into a flat 5 “x 5″ pouch, carries 3x the amount of a common plastic shopping bag (15″ x 25″ x 6”)
Cost: $6.50-$8 depending on quantity
Why: Cheapest and highest capacity, but doesn’t fold as small
Wide range of sizes and colors, two wide loops for shoulder carrying. Also check out their high-capacity bags for less trips.
Envirosax
Material: Lightweight polyester, bamboo, linen and fine grade hemp
Size: Rolls into a 4″ x 1.5″ pouch, carries 2x the amount of a common plastic shopping bag (19.5″ x 16.5″ x 5″)
Cost: $7.50-$26 depending on quantity and material
Why: Wide range of materials as well as styles
Popular designs, graphics, colors and styles for children as well as diverse materials make Envirosax worth checking out.
Etsy Find:
Material: Recycled/Re-used T-shirt
Size: 16″ x 17 1/2″ with a 3″ gusset – roll up secured with an elastic band
Cost: $24 custom orders accepted
Why: Unique, no new materials used, great example of reuse.
Very cool look, fully lined and handcrafted. Etsy is going to have many one-off, custom and unique bags to select from.
Or you can always just give it a go yourself. Try these different DIY techniques from Green Planet. Any way you slice it, the more you use these bags, the less waste ends up on our streets, in our wildlands or in the ocean- so we all win.
Check out my Reusable Water Bottle post to get your way out of the disposable cycle!
Comments 7
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Check out our Me + You Shopping Bags made in VANCOUVER CANADA from Organic cotton with Various Designs.
My absolute favorite bag is the Reisenthel minimaxi. It may actually be my favorite possession. A close second is the fold-a-tote I’ve only been able to find at Hannaford Supermarkets. It’s got a really sturdy base so I can set the bag down without groceries spilling all over the place, but it folds up, too.
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I love my BAGGUs! Though they aren’t technically the smallest, they’re the easiest for me to tote in a purse. A folded one slides in right up against my wallet or smoothly in one of the side compartments, making it much less bulky or space-consuming than the ones that roll up.
Tip for those buying BAGGUs or Envirosax – you can throw them in the wash and hang dry, if they get spilled on.
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Great tips Jessica, Thanks!