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Just Say No ... to Plastic Bags
So we all know that those flimsy (and ubiquitous) plastic shopping bags are evil, but what is the best alternative for toting your items home? Have you purchased organic canvas totes or are you recycling your old bags and other materials to make your own? Our Eco-Friendly Living community members are weighing in on their favorite types of reusable bags:
"I use the polypropylene at the grocery store. They're easier for the cashier to use since they stand up well and attach to the bag stand which gets me out quicker. They are easier to unpack at home as well. I haven't had them long so we'll see how I feel about them when they give out." -- revolutions
"I do not like the ones the stores sell. They are very cheaply made. My mom has several that are fairly new and they started falling apart within a few uses this summer while I was doing her shopping. Most of my bags are ones that I have made myself out of cast off clothing or thrifted fabric." -- laurajane28
"Believe it or not, I use an old HUGE Army backpack for shopping. I can fit my entire order in it. I've had the bag for over 10 years. I find it much easier to put the bag on my back than fumble with tote bags." -- sillygrrl13
For more Earth-friendly bag ideas -- as well as other green products, check out the iGo Green Stuff We Love.
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I always get the plastic bags then use them as trash bags. They are far more biodegradable than the bags sold for trash. So, what is the point of not accepting plastic gro bags then buying heavier less biodegradable bags for your trash to put in the landfill?
Hi. I want to do my part, so try to remember to take/use my cloth bags, but like 'Sue' I also use the plastic grocery bags for my garbage. I know, ideally I shouldn't have any garbage, but I live in an apt. so not practical. Help! Thank you!
I shop with green cloth grocery bags---and have done so before it was in vogue. I buy the least amount of packaging possible, even if it costs a little bit more, therefore I have less to throw away or recycle.
As for garbage bags, I take them from the stores recycle bin in the front lobby. At least I'm re-using someone elses plastic and not contributing to more plastics consumption.
I just found these new reusable bags that are pretty, machine washable and big. Found them at thenewgreencompany.com and they're just great. I live in a suburb so I drive to the store. I keep 5 or 6 in the trunk and one inside the car so I'll remember to take them in!
They're really different from the others I've seen...makes being green a lot more fun.
I make my own cloth bags. I tried selling them online, but wasn't able to sell them at a profit so I stopped. I have even made some from t-shirts that didn't fit anyone anymore. They are cute, and durable, and I can be proud of doing something positive for the planet.
Now I am working on putting directions for people to make their own bags on my blog. I think the cloth bags the stores sell are just plain ugly, and cheaply made. I don't see any reason why I can't exress my own style and have attractive shopping totes at the same time I am doing a good thing for the planet - and since I didn't have luck selling totes, maybe others can at least enjoy my tote designs.
I received my grocery totes as a wedding present. I love, love, love, them!! They were the best present ever!! Not only am I'm doing something green, but I'm doing something more conveinent for myself.
Navigating traditional plastic bags from the car to the house has never been an easy task. The handles twist around your hands if you carry more than one at time. It's painful! Then I'm left wondering and cursing- Where are the eggs? The cans fell out again! The bag broke on my front porch! How many more trips back out to the car? By the time everything was carried in, I was exhausted!!
With my bags, I use no more than 4 for each shopping trip, instead of 10+ of the small, thin plastic ones. They stand up in the car, the delicate stuff is on top so there's less risk of breaking the eggs and they are so much easier to pack and unpack. I will never go back to plastic bags...NEVER!!
I love my reusable shopping bags - I was using a couple of beach tote bags for my groceries long before all the stores started selling their own bags.
I have also stopped using zip lock bags for my 3 year old son's snacks. I make my own fold over sandwich/snacks bags. They work great and save a lot of money. I can buy in bulk and make my own snack packs. I give them to all my friends for their kids and I also sell them on Ebay (seller: RedBugStuff). They fold over like the old style of sandwich bag and are made of cotton so you just throw them in the washing machine - no problem. I love them!