Since Montgomery County is going to have a bag tax starting on Jan 1, I figured that I need to re-evaluate my reusable bag stash and also get DH a bag stash for his car. I'd like to know:
1. What's your favorite type of reusable bag for grocery items?
2. What's your favorite type of bag that folds up to keep in your purse for the unexpected small shopping trip?
Right now, I have a hodge-podge of bags. I'm not sure if I like the Trader Joe's bags for groceries because they don't have a rectangular bottom and it makes it hard to stack stuff in them. I have these huge red verizon bags but I think they are too deep for groceries. Ideally, I'd like to find some grocery bags that you can fold and stack nicely so that I can buy 10 or so to keep in my car.
Re: Favorite reusable bags for grocery shopping and other uses
I bought some great ones at Shopper's for $1.99 each. They're kind of like a coated plastic.
I like them because the handles are longer, and they're roomy - so they can fit a lot. I actually use them as a tote to carry stuff back and forth to work.
Oh, I love the TJ's bags! At least, the one with the crazy turquoise pattern and black handles. That thing is indestructible and fits soooo much!
My other bags are a hodge podge and I usually forget to even bring them, but I do love the mesh vegetable bags I bought from etsy. They come in a cute little sack that I clip to the handle of my fave TJ's bag.
I have a bunch I got from etsy. I got them last year when I bought some for MIL. I think they were like 6 for 25 or something. They're canvas and have fun designs.
I also have a giant silk bag (it was a gift, no idea where it's from, and it's hideous - so grcoery bag it is!) and that holds all the other bags.
We make the rockin' world go 'round.
Most of mine came from Whole Foods - they cost $1. I love them. With regular use, a bag will last me about a year, which I think is good for the price. They're nice and large.
I also have a bunch of random bags that I picked up from meetings, race expos, and other events.
Stand up for something you believe in.
I have a bunch that I got at events as giveaways, and some of the ones that Giant sells (they gave them away free at the Giant near my work for weeks after the DC bag tax was imposed). None are particularly great, but they all do the job.
Just a reminder to everyone to wash them!
i also like the WF ones.
for keeping in my purse, any bag that comes in a little pouch. i've got several that are different brands & one isn't any better than the other one.
For grocery shopping, the whole foods bags work best for me, very boxy and hold up well.
For bags to keep in the car and roll up for trips - I like the envirosax bags, They are on sale today at babyhalfoff.com. Highly recommend! I like them for the gym and swim pool since they are easy to stash in a locker/hook.
http://babyhalfoff.com/envirosax-reusable-shopping-bags10
I've tried a bunch of different bags. For groceries, I agree with Wines, the WF bags are the clear winner. The flat bottom makes it easy to set down your groceries, they last a long time, and they are $1.
For everything else, I keep bags from Envirosax in my purse, and I use that for clothes shopping, drugstore runs, or any other random purchases that I need a bag for. Once I started carrying Envirosax with me about five years ago, I was stunned by how many plastic bags I was wasting, especially b/c it's so easy just to have one of these handy.
www.envirosax.com