Shopping bags handy, trendy

And they're good for the environment, too

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080811/LIFE/808110303/1170/NEWS

 

Question: What was the hottest accessory in the United States in the past year? Jewelry? Designer handbags? Oversized sunglasses?

 

Answer: None of the above. It was reusable shopping bags, sales of which jumped 72 percent from May 2007 through May 2008, according to consumer and retail information company the NPD Group.

 

Click on link for article.

I'm sure a bunch of UOers have been doing the reusable shopping bag thing...so what are you sporting?

 

I'm using this little number...it's big but not too big, it folds up nicely, and it's simple color.  Very nice.

A bag from Taylor Books in Charleston, W.Va. and one from the Sierra Club. It's all I have ever needed.

 

As a side note, if you go to J.C. Penny, they give you a canvas tote by default -- a very big one at that. No plastic bags. At least, that is what they have done at the new model store in Ashland, Ky. (one of few in the nation with the new format).

I go to Aldis and use my old cardboard box bottoms and paper bags. I am such a penny pincher.

I am super-happy with the Acme Bags: they fold up smaller than a cellphone, and open up to the size of a normal plastic grocery bag.

 

http://www.reusablebags.com/store/acme-bags%E2%84%A2-workhorse-style-1500-special-p-258.html

I just bookmarked the Acme site .. they look like just what I need.

 

One reason I hate reusable shopping bags (I have a couple folded up in my messenger bag, which I tote with me everywhere) is that they take up so much space in my bag. These are perfect .. thanks for the link.

I'm not very impressed with the Acme bags.  I have one, and it can't hold very heavy items, and it tore a week after I got it.  I have an Envirosax Reusable Bag that I purchased at Park and Vine in Cincinnati.  It's durable, and it folds up nicely.  I carry it in my purse and use it a lot.  It has a cool design on it as well.  :) 

 

I also have various canvas bags along with a few other reusable bags from grocery stores.  Most of these were gifts.  I use these bags when shopping at Findlay Market or going to a grocery store.

I have the organic cotton 2-person "shopping system" from ecobags.com.  I really, really like the bags, they are very sturdy and hold a TON.

 

http://www.ecobags.com/Our_Products/ECOBAGS-Brand-Shopping_Systems

omg this is silly.

 

first of all on our recent ohio home visit we got a prius at hertz. so that was fun and a conversation piece with the family.

 

second of all, my granola sister in law from seattle was there when we got to dayton.

 

then, when we all went into a grocery, my father in law pulled out those canvas purse bags (his were from books and company in dayton).

 

so as we checked out, i said, "yes, we're taking our canvas bags out to our prius now everyone! we have a prius" just to goof on my sis in law.

 

well...anyway i thought it was funny.

 

I go to Aldis and use my old cardboard box bottoms and paper bags. I am such a penny pincher.

 

I shop at Aldi too.  I use a laundry bag for my groceries.  I think that's pretty trendy.

I recently saw a reusable bag on sale in Whole Foods which read (I think I'm remembering this correctly): "I USED TO BE A PLASTIC BOTTLE"--I really think they could have come up with something a little wittier. Then again, they're now selling tainted ground beef.

"Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer has sold nearly 800,000 bags since introducing them in its 182 stores last October, says Frank J. Guglielmi, director of public relations."

 

I really like the Meijer reusable bags.  I actually see people walking around campus using them to carry other things.

 

Businesses love this concept because it cuts down on their overhead.  I can't wait until plastic bags are banned in every county everywhere.  There's hardly any opposition unless you work for the oil companies.

^ Shady liquor stores use plastic bags?

We get most of our groceries delivered from Safeway, but still have the ol' Kroger re-useable for quick trips to the store.

i have a giant eagle insulated bag.

 

i shop at aldi and if i don't have any bags in the car i'll just find a nearly empty box on the pallet, empty it out, and use that. 

 

still, i am hooked on giant eagle in toledo for 2 reasons:  coupons up to $1 (inclusive) doubled, and $.20 cent gas discount (as long as i've been here) for every $50 spent not including booze or tax.  my dad and i share the giant eagle fuelperks and i use them since i have the bigger tank. how suburban of me to focus on gas, sigh. 

How about an Urban Ohio reusable shopping bag for sale?

Just seeking knowledge here --

 

I try to use the reusable shopping bags.  When I don't though I get the plastic bags.  What I do with them is use them as trash bags in the trash cans as opposed to buying the thick heavy trash bags.  So, my question is whether or not that is a good alternative at times?

I recently saw a reusable bag on sale in Whole Foods which read (I think I'm remembering this correctly): "I USED TO BE A PLASTIC BOTTLE"--I really think they could have come up with something a little wittier. Then again, they're now selling tainted ground beef.

 

If you own any fleece, it probably used to be a plastic bottle too :-D

Just seeking knowledge here --

 

I try to use the reusable shopping bags.  When I don't though I get the plastic bags.  What I do with them is use them as trash bags in the trash cans as opposed to buying the thick heavy trash bags.  So, my question is whether or not that is a good alternative at times?

 

Remember the 3-Rs...Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  It isn't as good of an option as the reusable bag, but it is still a decent alternative.  I've also noticed that some people also use them as lunch bags for work.

I recently saw a reusable bag on sale in Whole Foods which read (I think I'm remembering this correctly): "I USED TO BE A PLASTIC BOTTLE"--I really think they could have come up with something a little wittier. Then again, they're now selling tainted ground beef.

 

It's not about being witty, it's about blatantly proclaiming to the world that you are an environmentalist. It's a more efficient way to gain respect from your fellow tree-huggers - even if you don't know them.

what about carts?  anyone have any recomendations for those?

^Well for starters, there's the obligatory babushka ;-)