We think that it’s sexy to BYOB (bring your own bag) , but finding the right one can leave you feeling like Goldilocks; your messenger bag is too small for groceries, your beach bag is too big for the drug store and that free bag that came with your gym membership? It’s just embarrassing. For September, we thought we’d help weed through the sack stack and profile a trio of bags that we think are just right.
FEED 1 bags are a product of the United Nations World Food Programme, which helps feed hungry children in school around the world through WFP’s school feeding program. The bags, which are produced fair trade, are made from organic burlap. Burlap, in case you didn’t know, is made from raw jute fibers, which are a rain-fed crop that grows best organically without fertilizers or pesticides. Fabrics made of jute fibers are carbon dioxide neutral and naturally decomposable. Jute can be grown in 4–6 months, making it a rapidly renewable resource. While this sturdy shoulder bag is a favorite of ours for it’s sustainability, we think it’s extra sexy because the proceeds from each FEED bag sold will provide a school year of meals for one child in need. How cool is that? By purchasing a FEED bag, you will be minimizing your footprint while helping to feed one of the 400 Million hungry children of the world. To buy a FEED bag, or to learn more about the program, visit their website.
Bag the Habit bags urge us to do just that: bag the habit. As a planet, we consume over 500 billion (that’s with a B!) plastic bags each year. Stop the madness! These chic looking brown bags are made the good way, from renewable resources by sweatshop free laborers, and they’re 100% recyclable at the end of their life. Bag The Habit bags are square on the bottom with medium length handles, so they closely resemble paper grocery bags. We’ve successfully piled over 20 pounds of groceries into these bags with no fear of ripping the handles or tearing the sides. Have we mentioned that they’re cute? We love the teal colored maple leaves on the dark brown background. Not only are Bag the Habit bags easy on the earth and easy on the eyes — they’re easy on your wallet too. Each bag is only $8 and is available on their website.
There seem to be two hurdles we all face when bringing our own bag to the store. The first is remembering to bring the bag. The second hurdle is what to do with produce? It seems counterproductive to fill up your reusable bag with plastic produce bags, right? In the beginning we tried going bagless, but the checkout clerk seemed annoyed by our fruit/vegetable integration and we got a little tired of fishing for wayward oranges at the back of the trunk. Another problem? Peaches and tomatoes started sporting waffle-prints from sitting naked in the cart. If you’ve ever imagined a world where staticky plastic bags and twist-ties don’t slow your roll down the produce aisle, then GardenSacs are for you. GardenSacs are small bags designed to pinch-hit for produce bags at the grocery store. These organic, unbleached cotton bags are made with a fine mesh and drawstring closure using sustainable practices. While the GardenSac will take up minimal real estate in your tote, each one expands to accommodate a dozen medium-sized oranges, apples or potatoes, as well as beans, pasta and other items from the bulk section. To pick up a pair of Garden Sacs, ask for them at Health food stores, Whole Foods Markets, or on greenfeet.com.
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14 Comments to “September’s Product of the Month: Reusable Shopping Bags”
September 1, 2007
I use them with my mom for go like library or grocery. Good work girls this is very great!
September 2, 2007
okay, so i’m mildly obsessed with reusable shopping bags. my trunk is full of them!! needless to say i have not used, consumed, a plastic or brown paper bag from a grocery store, even a regular non grocery store in quite some time. it’s wonderful, because most all stores, out here in california, i don’t know about anywhere else, are all jumping on the reusable bag bandwagon. and i have them all, from every store that offers them…i think, if not all, then most. believe me when i say i have a lot, because i do tend to be one of those who goes into a store, does a whole lot of shopping, get to the check out, and BAM my bags are in the trunk. so i just end up buying more. so okay, the point of this comment…the feed bag is cuuuuute, and not mention the purpose of the purchase, so i must get me one of those. BUT thank you for the gardensac idea, fruits and vegs are a real problem, just rolling around and getting smooshed and bruised, and not to mention pissing the check out clerk off! great site, wonderful ideas, love it all!
September 5, 2007
I absolutley love the FEED bag. I have been wanting to get it for months, but am extremley dissapointed in Amazon for only delivering it to US addresses. I am very interested in doing my part to help children in Africa, and at the moment don’t have the ability to physically go volunteer, which is why I wanted to get this bag (also it’s very cute!) Do you guys know anyway for a girl in Toronto to get the bag?
September 21, 2007
This is excellent! I have a trader joe’s and a whole foods bag and I use them every time I go. Not only do they hold more and not break, I feel so much better about using them.
December 16, 2007
i love the feed bags were do u get them its realy good how those bags are good to the enroment and help feeds hungry children oh and how sexy are the bag the habit bags that would be great 4 going shoping. xD
December 20, 2007
Hi, thats a great article, the bags look great! I especially like the FEED bag. The problem is that they dont deliver outside the US and I live in Ireland so i can’t get my hands on one! If you know where i could get one and for how muc, that’d be great!
January 30, 2008
Hey, these bags look really cool. I don’t see why Jute isn’t used more; it’s simply BETTER than plastic. Jute has been used as a packaging material for centauries. I’m very into re-useable eco friendly products like these. I found some funky patterned jute bags too. It’s good that we’re now getting products like these designed that appeal to a wider audience. I have seen people who openly don’t care much about the environment and their affect on it carrying this style of bag. I’m not saying that’s the case of anyone here but I’m making the point that this sort of thing makes green issue popular with people who wouldn’t normally care. All good in my opinion.
Donna
March 4, 2008
I love taking a large purse to the mall when I go shopping, becuase I usually don’t buy more that cute tee or something like that. These bags are even better! Old Navy has some pretty adorable canvas bags in wild prints, as well for $5.99! I like the fact that these are for a good cause, though.
March 16, 2008
they sell reuseable bags at the grocery store so cheap now! i think there a dollor and at my store they give u 2cents for everyone u reuse, which adds up! AND there great for bringing dishes to arties and lunches to work and picnics to the beach! there pretty durable and if u lose or rip one, hey there a dollar!
March 25, 2008
reusable bags are great! but also, if you can’t purchase one (like me, since i’m still a kid), just keep reusing old grocery/shopping bags for various purposes.
Keep up the good ideas (:
March 29, 2008
I bought the feed bag from amazon last year after I saw it in Marie Clarie magazine. I love it! I like that it is reversible. It is also big enough to fit a lot of stuff in it. I love love love it.
April 3, 2008
I want a feed bag I’m all about going green and I need one of those bags. Florida needs reusable bags. If anyone reads thiws coment then reply and tell me where you get those feed bags. PLEASE
April 25, 2008
hello ladies
i believe that what you are doing is extremely noble. i love this earth so much and hope that my son will love it when he gets older. i am concerned because im afraid that my son wont have a green earth in the future. thank you ladies for making a difference.
p.s i love the bag, can you tell me where i can purchase it, if not do you know of similar bags with the same message?
July 28, 2008
I use the reusable shopping bags for everything and also when faced with a plastic bag “from a grocer” I reuse it placing all of my recyclables into and and recycle the whole thing. Those resuable bags are great for everything especially with a sturdy bottom.
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