Reusable Shopping and Grocery Tote Bags
Eco-Friendly Plastic, Canvas, Cotton and Other Green Bags
Jun 7, 2009
Everyone knows about the evils of disposable grocery bags, yet few seem to do anything about reducing their use.
Besides their environmental disadvantages, disposable plastic and paper bags:
- Are small, leaving the shopper with the problem of carrying many small bags.
- Are weak, sometimes tearing and spilling their contents.
- Look cheap and ugly.
Reusable shopping bags should be conveniently close by at all times, not gathering dust in a closet. They should be:
- Small and light enough to be carried every day.
- Cheap so that they can be stashed everywhere: in the car, in the office, at home.
- Easy and fun to use: large enough to be practical, soft and comfortable, look good with any wardrobe.
Most bags cost less than ten dollars.
Shopping Bag Materials
Nylon is a popular material because of its strength and light weight. Nylon bags are almost weightless. They can be folded into a small bundle (as small as a pack of cigarettes) and stored in a large purse or daily-use bag (handbag, briefcase, backpack).
Nylon bags can also be found in luggage stores, where they are sold as travel bags. Ripstop nylon is more expensive but lasts longer.
Canvas is thicker and heavier than nylon, but also tougher. They are a good choice for carrying hard, heavy and pointed items. For example the corners of hardcover books can poke holes in nylon bags.
Burlap or sack cloth is used to make eco-themed bags because of their natural look. Some are even made out of real used sacks. Unfortunately the material is rough to the touch, frays easily and doesn't stand up to repeated washings well.
Polyester, cotton and other woven fabrics are also used. Solid vinyl sheets are waterproof but heavy, as is leather.
It is not necessary to obsess over the environmental-correctness of the material (example: bleached cotton). A single reusable bag can save hundreds of disposal bags every year. It is more important to just stop using disposable bags. A bright and cute bag (even if made using energy-intensive methods) that actually gets used is better than the most environmentally-friendly bag that is ugly or impractical and gets left at home.
Shopping Bag Designs and Features
Straps should be long and wide, allowing the bag to be comfortably slung over the shoulder like a tote bag.
Groceries can total 10 to 20 pounds, so the bag and straps need to be strong. Straps should run the length of the side of the bag, like a duffel bag. Some straps join the bag seamlessly to form part of the bag, an elegant and strong design.
Large bags are convenient but bags that are too big will not easily fit the bag holders used by the grocery baggers at the supermarket checkout (they will flop around and won't be held open by the holder's arms).
A flat bottom will stop the bag from tipping over when placed on the floor or in the car trunk.
Some kind of closing mechanism (zip, button, drawstring) is useful to stop the contents from spilling out (chasing apples isn't everybody's idea of fun). Long handles or shoulder straps can be tied together to close the bag.
A side pocket is useful but not strictly necessary.
When not in use, the bag (especially nylon bags) should fold up easily and neatly for storage. Some come with small carrying pouches but these can get lost. Integrated pouches where the bag folds up into itself, are better.
Shopping Bags and Charity Tie-Ins
Because disposable bags are an environmental issue, environmental and other charities often sell reusable bags to raise money for their causes.
Not all of the money will go to the charity. Buyers should check the percentage of the purchase price that will be donated, before deciding to buy. Often only 10 to 30 percent goes to the charity. If the percentage is low they may prefer to donate directly instead of buying the bag.
The Best Reusable Shopping Bag
Going green doesn't always mean compromising. Reusable shopping bags are more practical and more chic than disposable bags. The important thing is to stop making excuses and to start using a reusable bag:
- Choosing a bag (size, weight, material, design) that fits a person's lifestyle and daily routine, and will therefore be used.
- Planning ahead and stashing a bag where it can be conveniently retrieved when needed.
Almost any bag can be used. There is no need to go the ostentatious fashion route of Anya Hindmarch's I'm Not a Plastic Bag. For the lowest environmental impact, an old bag (gym bag, school bag, duffel bag, backpack) can be reused.
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