It took me a long time to get in the habit of carrying reusable bags, but now I am rarely caught without mine. I like that the bags help reduce landfill waste and that some stores, such as Target, give you a discount on your order if you bring your own bags.
One thing I strongly recommend when choosing reusable bags is to get washable cloth bags instead of the plastic coated bags that a lot of places give out as a free gift with purchase.
When you’re carrying groceries week after week, your bags end up full of bacteria. They need to be washed on a regular basis, especially if you’re using them to carry meat, produce, or frozen items.
A great brand of reusable shopping bags is Esse Reusable Bags. (Esse stands for “Everyday solutions for saving the Earth.”)
I like this “Everyday Is Earth Day” bag for its cute design with a subtle eco-friendly message. It’s a big bag that can carry up to 20 lbs, which means you’ll have fewer bags to cart in from your car when you get home. It’s made from 100% recycled PET (plastic bottles) and one of the company’s limited edition designs.
One cute idea that Esse suggests on their site is using their reusable bags as gift bags for the holidays. You can tie the handles into a bow and have the bag become part of the gift. I think this would be a wonderful way to encourage your friends and family to be more environmentally responsible.
Do you use reusable shopping bags? If so, what bags are your favorites?
Photo credit: Esse
