Reusable Grocery Bags

I've seen this new craze of "juice box bags" that are nice - heavy duty and recycled themselves. I don't know of a site, but if you discover one, let me know!

Green Bag is awesome. I carry a ton of stuff in mine and it holds up great. You can order as many as you want at Ecobags.com. They are priced reasonably and shipping is not too expensive.

I have reusables bags from Jewel and Meijer and both are great. They hold many item, usually can save anywhere from 2 to 4 plastic bag per reusable bag.

Hi S.,

I use the bags from Shaklee, and I love them. They are so cool because they are a neat Green color, and they say Go Green on them! I'm so glad that you are choosing to "Go Green" in your home, I too am on that path and Shaklee has helped me to get the things I need! Visit my site at www.shaklee.net/bowerman and see what the company is all about, 50 years is a long time for this type of company to stay in business, and they have never had a product pulled from the shelf because of problems. I believe Shaklee is the best company when it comes to needs for you, your home, and your planet! Let me know if I can help you with anything, I love chatting with people about this type of stuff!

Take care,
N. B

Try Reusablebags.com - they have great stuff!

i got mine at wholefoods and they have lasted years. they were really cheap as well. Perhaps one trip to wholefoods and you will be done. If you work downtown, they have a wholefoods on Huron and maybe la salle (I know it is Huron but not quite sure of the cross street). It is beside a blockbusters.

Walmart has super cute ones now. They are black and are only $1. Good for you for trying to go green.

Ditto on the Envirosax rec - saw a super cute graphic set in the Red Envelope catalog that i've been meaning to order. In a similar vein, I happened upon a Chico bag - they also come in all sorts of colors and can really hold a lot of stuff. And you can pack it inside its attached pouch and it will very easily fit inside your purse or diaper bag. See chicobag.com.

Hi S.!

I just used the Jewel reusable bags today, and love them! You can buy them at the store for $1.00 a bag. ;-)

i mostly use canvas bags from dental conventions from over the years because they are so sturdy
but i don't mind the target, walreens or jewel one
i wouldn't put 2 gallons of milk in them
i also use the green walgreens or red target bags as gift bags now
they are only 99 cents which are cheaper than gift bags
grocery bags are the biggest waste
i do forget sometimes and have to use them but then i save them because i use them when i buy meat in case it were to leak
then i throw them away
my canvas bags are washable
i would check the kraft isle for canvas bags

I had the same concern as you, but I have bags from all over the place-Traders, Meijer, Walmart, and some other random places and they all work the same. I have been using mine to carry heavy loads of grocery or whatever I need them for and they are working well. I wouldn't worry too much about what they look like because anything is better than those plastic or paper bags. Also, a tip that someone taught me when I first starting using them---when you are finished unloading your groceries, stick them in the back seat of your car and then you will never end up at the store without your reusable bags. Good luck!!!

The Jewel has a really good thermal bag for frozen goods & the regular canvas Jewel bag is pretty durable also. They hold a ton of stuff. I have 2 thermal & 2 canvas & I can fit over $200 worth if groceries in them. Before I bought those bags, I just kept reusing the plastic ones until they fell apart.

My husband bought us some at reusablebags.com. They fold in on themselves and you can always keep them in your purse.

I am not sure if you have a Meijer Grocery Store by you, but their bags are just great! They are the perfect size to pack groceries in. They are big enough to hold a watermelon, but not unmanageable for just a few items. They are only $1. We just use it for everything. My 4 yr old son even uses them for moving his hot wheel cars from room to room (he has over 200 cars, so you can image the weight)! We also use them in the playroom for our grocery store. That way the kids are learning early to use them, too! I leave some on the front seat of my car, so I see them all of the time and don't forget to take them with me into the store. If I, for any reason, forget to put them back into the car from the last use, I either make myself pack all the groceries into the cart after check out (without plastic bags) or I purchase more reuable bags. That is how I have learned to make SURE the bags go directly back into the car right after I unpack from the store ;-)

check out www.chicobag.com (maybe it's chicobags). While I have other bags, I've given several of these as gifts. They come in great colors!.

J.

That is all I use. They really are great!

I use the Jewel ones ($1/ea.) and they work well for me. They hold more since they are stronger than the plastic ones. I keep them in my car, but it took me awhile to get into the habit of bringing them into the store. I kept forgetting. Now, I use them all of the time.

I've used green Jewel bags (3) and the blue bag for cold items for almost a year now and they are still holding up. They have removal black mats for the bottom and they have carried gallons of glass, jars, and more.

I also carry the bigger Target bag that fold and snap into a square when I do my shopping there and it also has held up well, although there it doesn't have the sturdy bottom.

Also, Ace gave me a freebie the same exact size as the Jewel ones, but I found that the removable base in it is of better quality than the Jewel bags. (One of the mats already has a chipped corner and is a little flimsier). The Ace on is brown and not so pretty, but it does its job.

In the future, I hope to be placing an ad for my business on here in which I will also be offering reusable bags with our logo on them. (The website will hopefully be "done with construction" by next month!)

Also, thanks to the other responses - I am still looking for a vendor for the bags, but I think we're closer to finding one!

You can buy some very durable ones online at
http://www.shaklee.net/cpeterson/product/50452
They come in a 6 pack for $9.30.

Happy shopping!

C.
____@____.com

I like the ones from Walmart. They are holding up just fine for me. The size and color (black) are practical. They are only a dollar each. I bought my freezer reusable bags on sale from Jewel for $2.00 each. These bags have kept things cold without any problems. I love using the Walmart bags (reusable ones) It is so much easier to lug in the groceries compared to plastic bags that often fall apart before I can get into my house!

I like the reusable bags but getting used to them has been a problem. I get into the store and realize I left the bags in the car. I'm getting myself in a routine that I grab the bags as I leave the house and put them with my purse so I won't forget them on the car seat. I w/say that one thing I have noticed is that they hold a lot which makes bags heavier and cumbersome. I'm sure this too can be worked out. It's worth it!

I would go to an arts and crafts store, like a Hobby Lobby and buy some of their canvas bags. You can personalize your own with some fabric paint, etc. I'm actually working on some myself.

Rock on there lady, I am going green too. I am opening my health food store May 5th. I found some wonderful people at Lets Go Green. Here is the e-mail address:Letsgogreen.biz atten Penny Patrick. I have really nice bags from them that will hold a bit much Peace and God Bless your family Nancy

I have some from whole foods but I love the Trader Joe's ones even better. But any tote bag would do. Target has some really cute totes this year. You just don't want anything too big because it will be too heavy to carry. The great thing about them is that they hold way more than the bags at the store so you have a lot less bags. It's also feels so good to not have a pile of plastic/paper bags that you don't know what to do with. Plus, I use them at the mall now and any other shopping I have to do.

Hi S.,

Do you have any extra tote bags lying around the house? Beach bags? I just take my extra bags with me b/c while I strive to be green I do not want to have to pay for it, i.e. buy the bags sold at the grocery stores.

Not sure how the bags sold at grocery stores hold up, maybe buy a couple and give them a try...

Good luck!

Walgreens has some great Green Bags and so does Macy's. Macy's cost $2.50 this weekend and youcan also donate $5.00 and get 20 percent off purchases. They are a sturdy good sized bag at both stores.

hi S.,
our family has just recently been trying to live a more 'green' lifestyle as well. I decided to make a few of my own. I have an online business selling purses, so I'm going to find the most cost efficient material, and sell them on the site. I want to make sure I can keep the price down around $5, so It may take a few weeks to find the right material. You can see the bags I already have at www.ekayecove.com
hopefully it won't be long before I get the grocery bags on here also!
Blessings,
E.

During my visit to Greenfestival last year, I was given a bag free that I have continued to use more and more. Any eco type fair will probably by selling all kinds of bags in every color and size you could want. Online has to have a large variety as well. Good luck remembering to use them!

B. Keer

I just use my tote bags. I keep a bunch of them in the back of the van for impromptu shopping trips and use them everywhere from the grocery store to the department store.

Kroger has a great couple bags for two dollars and they are good and hold up to a gallon of milk or so.

i love reusable grocery bags!!!!! i was totally annoyed at first cuz who remembers to bring their own bags anyways i have two kids i admit its a little more work to remember to put them in the car but once they are in there they fit way more stuff i haven't had any problem with them ripping and my whole grocery orderis in like two or three bags instead of ninety plastic bags and the straps are long enough to go on your shoulder instead of lining them up on your forearm at jewel they have insulated one for frozen with a zip top i recommend at least one of those they are even big enough for frozen pizza obviously i cant say enough good and im so not the "green" type if it makes my life easier and helps the earth too fine by me

Hi S.,

Check out www.reusablebags.com

They have every kind of bag you can imagine and a number of other products: produce bags, non-plastic water bottles, lunch boxes, etc.
Maybe keep a collection in the car and then a compact bag in your purse for those unexpected trips.
We are all trying so hard to conserve more. Interestingly, our disposable culture is relatively new and much of it was planned by companies to sell more stuff.
Vance Packard explained the phenomenon of 'planned obsolescence' and other business practices in his 1960 book The Waste Makers. It's taken us awhile, but maybe we are changing this way of looking at the earth and its resources...

Have fun!

I recently bought the Jewel green bags and I love them. They were giving them away on Tuesday for Earth day but I just purchased a bunch. 10 for $10. I think that's a great price and they are very sturdy. One little step of buying reusable bags does so much for our environment. It's worth every penny. GO GREEN!

Any bag is good really. Any store will use anything you bring in. I often use my big canvas Lands' End bag.

Another bag that I like is called a Chico Bag..you might find them in stores (I found them at my local drug store) or I am sure you could order online. Here's the website for the company: www.chicobag.com.

What's great is that the bags fold up into an pouch that is attached to the inside of the bag. There are tiny and light, and I keep one in my purse for use at any store.

Dominicks has GREAT reusable bags. They're 99 cents and I bought 10. I use them for everything, not just groceries. They're black so they look cooler and because they're just like a paper bag, they actually can stand up which makes them easier to load!

I bought the Jewel green reusable bags from Jewel/Osco. I have ten of them (were $1 each at the time)plus two insulated bags. I use them every week, just wipe out the bottom if there is a leak. I do have the baggers use a plastic bag to bag meat though, which is one per visit. I have had them for about 2-3 months and love them. I find them easier to carry, and they hold a lot so fewer trips from the car to the kitchen! Kudos to everyone to do a little bit (or more)to help the Earth!

Jewel, Walmart, and Foods For Less sell canvas bags for $1.00. They're extremely strong. I've carried a milk gallon with groceries in them. Aldi sells them also.

Dominicks reusables are great!

Hi S.,

I work for a Wellness company. We have the over 350 fantastic non toxic, naturally derived products that you use in your home everyday. Its a wonderful way to "goGreen" quickly and you can shop from home and save money. The average family saves over $600.00 per year! Our products are scientifically proven and work better than store bought. I would love to introduce you to a safer and healthier life style. It wont take much of your time. Please call me at ###-###-#### and ask for R..

Hi S.! Well, I've been a Shaklee member/director for over 23 years now and love all their products. Shaklee was the 1st Earth Day sponsor and the first climate neutral company. We have great "green grocery bags" that I use all the time - love them! You many contact me if you are interested. Also you can check out their website at www.shaklee.com.

Jewel - they work great and hold alot.

Babies R Us has some great ones that I just got for free with a coupon they have on their website.

In my area most of the grocery stores sell them. Woodmans does, Hilander, Loglis, just about all of them.

Try Bed, Bath & Beyond or Macys. Both can be done online or in store. Good Luck!

I have used them for yeras---and I still forget them sometimes. I like the ones that Wal-Mart has now. I think they are like $1. The ones I have had for years are from Krogers--but there's none around here. I have had those bags literally 15-20 years.Stores are more aware now but when I first started using the bags sackers in the grocery stores would put my stuff in plastic bags and then into the canvas bags!!!

S.:

Walgreens has started selling reusable grocery bags. They seem pretty sturdy. Good luck!

Congrats on helping make the world a better place.

I got mine from Container Store (ordered them online) and really like them. They have been super sturdy and have the little clip and case so I can just hook them to my coat or diaper bag.

We use a combination of the ones that Whole Foods sell for $1 each, and random tote bags that we have hanging around the house. Both work well - I'm actually really impressed by the cheap ones that WF sells - they're nice and big and seem to last forever. But really, any old tote will do. We just keep them by the door or in the car so we remember to bring them. I think lots of stores sell them now... or you can just wait until you're out of your area and near to a store you KNOW sells them.

S.,
Can you sew? If you can, make some of your own. There are lots of free tutorials online. Get the book, Bend the Rules sewing, she has a simple tote in the book, just make the dimensions bigger. I did 22x18. I think you could skip the flannel lining if you used canvas or any medium or decorator weight fabric.
Other places: crafster.org

I have some library bags that I like to use, but some are made too narrow to stuff with groceries.
You might also check tj maxx, marshall's, or thrift shops.
I liked the t-shirt/bag suggestion. Sounds cool.

Also, if you are trying to go green, you can clean lots of things with just vinegar/water. I have several spray bottles that I fill with my cleaners, such as, soap/water, simple green/water, vinegar/water (I think you can add dishsoap to this if you want)... etc. I also use baking soda and vinegar to rinse out the bathroom sink once a week/once a month... whenever I get to it. I buy the vinegar in bulk at Sam's. Two big bottles for a couple dollars.
M.

I'm so glad to hear of other's who are working on this, too. A cleaner, cooler planet is so important for our kids' future. About the bags, I have a set that my sister brought me from New Zealand which are great. They have the flat bottoms which I think are very important for you and the clerks in the store who are packing them. What I really like is the fact that they don't cut into my hands when I'm carrying them like the plastic bags do. I live in a raised ranch home which means a lot of carrying groceries. (I know they are strong because the kids I take care of have used them for gunny sack races down the hall. ) My sister said they cost her a dollar a bag, now how to get them here I'm not sure. I've been using them a while, so it's a little hard to read the website on the side, but I think it's www.progressiveco. They are washable and I have washed them which probably explains why it's hard to read the website on the side. The hardest thing has been remembering to take them into the store whenever I shop, but I'm remembering more than I forget and I've greatly reduced the number of plastic bags around here.

K.

I did not read through all the responses, I appologize if I am repeating this.

I was watching the Martha Stewart show one day and they showed how to make reusable grocery bags out of old t-shirts. It is really neat and they look to be sturdy. I want to do this, I just have not cleaned my way to the sewing machine yet.

You basically sew the bottom of the shirt together, cut off the arms, make the neck bigger and there you have it.

Here is a link to where it is posted on her website.

M.

I have bought reuseable bags at Jewels and walmart and they have held up pretty good for costing just a dollar each,and at jewels for I think 4.00$ they have an insulated bag,I think they are totally worth it

I bought mine at Jewel and they are great. No problems with them at all, except that I constantly forget them. I'm trying to remember after unloading the groceries to hang the bags on the my backdoor, which in turn helps me to remember to put them back into the car. I think it just takes a while to get used to.

I have some big ones from Costco--come in a pack of three and also from Ikea--only $1. work great for us especially when climbing up three flights of stairs.

hi!
jewel now has "green" bags that are actually green in color. i see them every time i leave the store, they are right by the entrance and exit. i haven't bought them yet, but have been eyeing them for a while. i think they are $1.49 each.
you are so right about the grocery bags. what a simple, easy way to go "green". good luck!

My recommendation would be the cloth bags that Ikea sells. I cannot recall how much I spent on them, but they were not over $5. The reason that I like them is the long straps that they have; that makes it so much easier to throw them over my shoulder and carry a lot of items. They are fabulous!

I have been using reusable bags for about 2 1/2 years and really love it. The bags I have purchased are the same size at a paper bag but much stronger so you can really fill them up. I own 3 and use them all but I do a lot of grocery shopping. I also use them at Target and stores like that - every where I can.

http://www.reusablebags.com/store/acme-bags™-earthtote™-r...

Hope you like them
S.

One idea is to go to a Whole Foods for one shopping experience just to get their plastic bags, which are very strong and made for re-using many times. I also buy/use canvas bags and a european-style netted produce bag I got as a gift 5 years ago and it holds a ridiculous amount of food -- it just expands like crazy. Check out reusablebags.com or ecoseek.net too.

I love using the resusable grocery bags. I bought mine at Woodmans and use them at other stores too! They really do hold a lot and are easy to carry and store. I even use them for other things...library books, to tote my lunch to work, clothes for the gym. The only hard part is to remember to bring them with to the store!!

S., if you have a Wal-mart near you, see if they have their black cloth bags. They cost $1.00 but last for ages. I use mine when I go into any store. My daughter was so keen on them she asked for some for her 40th birthday. I highly recommend then. They are washable too. Hope this helps.
ps. any canvas bags work. Some of the larger book stores have canvas bags as do some craft stores.

I have been using bags by Envirosax. They can be ordered on-line at their website www.envirosax.com. The great thing about these bags is that they are large and strong, but when folded, are very small and can be easily carried in a purse or diaper bag. Plus, the come in a ton of fun colors and designs.