Reusable grocery/shopping bags - YouLookFab Forum

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Reusable grocery/shopping bags

shiny

Veteran

We're big into saving the environment, etc, etc. We use reusable grocery bags. Lately, my daughters have been encouraging all of us (especially me) to also bring these bags to the mall, and use them when we shop for clothes. We did this one day while doing back-to-school clothes shopping and we felt so good counting all the trees we saved.

However, the bags we have are kinda bulky. What I'm looking for is a nylon bag that folds up into its own small, wallet-size or less, zippered pocket, something we could all keep in our purses so we always have a reusable bag on hand no matter what.

I've seen bags like this for sale at Green conventions, but I haven't seen them since. I would like to find something like this and give them out as stocking stuffers to everyone this year at xmas.

Anyone have any suggestions? Recommendations from people who've tested and own such an item are ideal, but web sites would be great too.

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from Kyle

Debbie

My mom bought us all one and the label says reisenthel

It is exactly what you described. Folds up tiny and even has a little hook to hook inside your purse if need be

Comes in lots of colors.

I think she got it in a small shop somewhere but maybe it is online.

shiny

Veteran

Thanks - did a google on that name and came up with http://www.reusablebags.com.... looks like I can find lots of options there!!

Which one do you have?

(adding this to personal to-do/xmas shopping list action items)

julijuli

This is a fab idea. I'm trying to get into the habit of always bringing my bags to the grocery store (since we may soon be paying .20cents a bag if the Mayor has his way!).

Debbie

mine is very similar to this

http://www.reusablebags.com/st.....0-p-1.html

shiny

Veteran

Nice! That is very much what I had in mind. Thanks!

Angie - if you wanted to make some $, perhaps you could YLF logo-ize a bag like this and sell it off your site?

(my marketing hat is still on today - hard to turn it off)

Will still take other recommendations if anyone has any...

Lena

Nordies sells a silver shopping bag that folds into a neat cosmetic bag thingie. It looked pretty roomy. I saw it at the customer service counter, can't find it on the website. They had them two weeks ago, don't know if they are still available. I was very tempted.

Nicole

Veteran

Shiny, I have a bunch of folding reusable shopping bags that I picked up at Hannaford (a local grocery store). They fold and snap into a small rectangle. Maybe 5 by 7 ?? The fabric is kind of weird--it feels almost like paper--but it's very durable. I use these to shop every week and have not had any rip or tear. If you don't have a local Hannaford (or if your local grocery store does not carry something like this), I'd be more than happy to pick some up for you.

shiny

Veteran

Hmm, the Nordies thing sounds interesting. How small did it fold up?

Nicole, 5x7 is too large. I want it to be as compact as possible - like the size of a credit card, or ... .well.... a sanitary pad. So I can always have it in my purse, no matter which purse I'm carrying. (Most of my purses are medium sized).

I do have a set of bags - some nylon, some out of that weird durable canvas-like material - for grocery shopping. I keep them in the car trunk at all times, because when we go grocery shopping it usually takes several bags. But they are big and don't fold up small enough to carry in my purse for mall shopping trips. So I have to remember to take one of the bags out of the trunk and carry it with me into the mall - and I forget too often.

It is amazing how much waste there is when you clothes shop: you've got the bag and the tissue paper they wrap the clothing in. The tissue paper can be saved for wrapping presents. But those bags.... many retailers have pretty fancy paper bags. I don't even know if they can be recycled.

Retailers would be quite smart to offer customers a nylon reusable bag with their logo on it. Ideally for free, or as a bonus with a purchase, or when you sign up for their credit card....

(There I go again with my marketing ideas... )

Debbie

yes Shiny I think the ones like mine are what you are looking for and I think on that same website there are the same but with interesting designs if that is what you want for gifts.

Mine is a solid red but I think my sisters is animal print. I got to choose mine last, because I was not with my mom and sister when they bought them----but I still love mine!

Alecia

Veteran

I have to put a plug in for a quasi-local bag company. http://store.chicobag.com/prod.....obag-green

I have one. It's great.

Dani

Veteran

Shiny, I have these:

http://www.brightandbold.com/r.....ndbold.com|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/envirosax.html&__utmv=-&__utmk=198237103

I really like them because they fold up really flat and you can carry them over your shoulder, even full of groceries. They are pretty large and hold quite a bit (if your bagger knows how to fill it )

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Great ideas! I also tell the sales people to keep the tissue and receipt envelopes. Every little bit helps!

shell

don't forget that shopping bags can be reused as trash bags and waste basket liners!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

...or for poo when scooping litter boxes.

Lena

Shiny, I found the Nordies bag:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....erralID=NA

From what I remember, the pouch is not very small, slightly bigger than 4x6.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for the idea, Shiny! I was going to suggest the Nordies one too. It’s GREAT.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

First forum post for me ever -- oooh.

I've become addicted to envirosax bags:

http://www.envirosax.com/

Cheap, fold up very small, and the designs are great!!

tam

Debbie

oh now those are CUTE!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Target also sells a reusable back that zips up into a small pouch (the size of a wallet or smaller).

Kyle

Veteran

Shiny:

We were in Sur La Table last night and they had scads of collapsible and foldable totes.
The brand I saw most was called Reisenthel. They also carry a selection online. The in-store inventory seemed more wide ranging, though.

http://www.surlatable.com/cate.....6+totes.do