We've only been using reusable shopping bags for a couple weeks, but I'm totally addicted to them, especially since I got my snazzy jute bags from Alice.com (using the giftcard I got at the Savvy Blogging dinner earlier this month).
I gotta say I'm never going back to using plastic grocery bags.
If you've ever wondered why you should use reusable shopping bags, here are a few reasons to consider.
1. They're good for the planet.
Now don't mistake me for a run-of-the-mill environmentalist here; in fact, I've never considered myself one at all. I'm simply saying that using reusable grocery bags is good because it's good stewardship of the resources God has given to us.
2. They make unloading groceries easier.
Since more food fits in one reusable bag than in a standard plastic grocery bag, you have fewer bags to carry in. Sure, there's just as much food to unload, but it's so much easier to grab one bag in each hand than wrangling to find the handles of several plastic bags. Trust me.
3. They're a whole lot sturdier than plastic bags.
How many time have you unloaded groceries from your car and the plastic bag broke, spilling the contents (usually glass jars) onto the driveway? It's happened way too many times to me. But no longer!
4. They can be used for so many other things besides groceries.
My jute bags make excellent library book bags, and they can easily hold many more books than I can handle carrying. My husband uses one to take his iced tea to and from work with him every day. And they're great for toting books and supplies in the car on road trips. I also use one of the reusable bags to hold all the other bags so that when I go grocery shopping, I'm only carrying one (very full) bag in with me.
5. Stores will actually pay you to use them.
Many stores (like Target) will pay you $.05 for every reusable bag you fill at the checkout. So not only does that mean you can easily make up the cost of the reusable bag itself, you'll eventually be making money! Sure, it's not a lot, but it's like using a couple extra coupons every time you shop.
While some grocery stores sell their own grocery bags, and I have a few of those, my favorite bags by far are the jute bags that I got from Alice.com. They're only $2.49 a piece (and when you order from Alice.com, shipping is free!), they're so much sturdier than the $.99 store bags, and the handles are really comfortable, even when I'm toting two 8-pound jugs of milk!
Do you have a favorite brand of reusable grocery bags?
Dislosure: I'm an affiliate with Alice.com — because I love using their service — so this post contains affiliate links. If you sign up at Alice.com and make a purchase through them, I might receive compensation. However, all my opinions in this post are my own, and I have not been compensated in any way for this post or my opinion.
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We have been using reusable bags for about two years, and I love it! I totally agree with all of your reasons.
.-= Angie @ Many Little Blessings´s last blog ..Language of God Grammar Series from Catholic Heritage Curricula =-.
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I Love Ikea bags! The big blue ones carry a huge amount and are very, very durable. They're only 59 or 69 cents!
They also have smaller designer ones for 1.50.
Since we don't live near one, I bought a good 30 bags last time I was there. Awesome!
.-= Alisha´s last blog ..Meme =-.
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I am going to order a couple of these bags from Alice.com! Thanks so much! They look very sturdy.
My favorite reusable bag so far is JC Penney. It costs $1.99. It is longer and wider than the usual reusable bag and sturdy. I do have Walmart, Target, Walgreen and CVS bags as well. The problem is I forget to bring them with me when I am shopping! I need to just store them in the trunk of the car.
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My only concern about reusable bags is using ones that can't be washed. The thought of how much bacteria can build up on and in them is scary. Especially when you consider that we carrying meat in them, sit them on the ground and in grocery carts. If grocery carts are so dirty that stores now supplies wipes to clean them, I'd imagine the bags get just as dirty. I think reusing bags is a good thing, but I make sure mine are washable and get washed regularly, especially those that have carried meat and fresh produce.
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Joy Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 8:16 am
@Tracy, That's an excellent point. I know we've washed our bags before, but not our burlap ones. The inside of our burlap bags are coated with a layer that's washable by wiping it down, but I need to check whether I can put the whole thing in the washer. Thanks for pointing this out.
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