Name: Leslie
Location: Menlo Park
Profession: AT:SF Managing Editor
Yeah, I know, reusable shopping bags are old news these days. However, I really love my Reisenthel bag. One day I was at Trader Joe's and when I whipped my bag out of my purse and pulled it out of its little case, the customer behind me said, "Wow, just like Mary Poppins!"
I love the look of bags like these by Jenny Hurth. I don't love that mine is made from nylon. The khaki color is boring. But the fact that it's so small that it tucks neatly away in my purse and I usually forget about it until the cashier starts to bag my groceries -- or the vendor starts to reach for a bag for my newly purchased cafe au lait bowls at Alameda -- well, that makes it a keeper.
People are always asking me where I got it. I bought it at The Gardener ages ago. They don't sell them anymore. However, these from The Container Store look identical, and they're just $4.99.
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I got one at Linens and Things, or Bed Bath and Beyond, one of those. It fits into itself and I do the same thing... forget about it in my purse until I need it. The people in line always comment on it:)
view Tiffany's profile
Here in France they stopped giving plastic bags in most supermarkets a few years ago. People complained at first, but now everyone is used to it, and you can buy solid nylon bags like this at the counter. I have a near fluorescent green one that all my friends make fun of, but are always happy when I'm with them and have it in my handbag.
I always wondered why in France they never took on to the north american use of brown paper bags. I've never been able to find an explanation for this. Anyway, since 1 or 2 years now they've started using bags made of natural material, a sort of strange plastic-looking substance that feels like a very soft rubber, and is made 100% out of wheat (the bags actually smell like bread). They also can make very noisy "plastic" wrappings out of starch, which are also biodegradable. Either way, even these are given sparingly.
view Daniel Poitiers's profile
i have a Chico Bag that I love because it folds into a small pouch as well. It makes it so much easier to be prepared than having to remember my canvas bags, which hog room in my backpack.
view Devyn's profile
I like the idea. It is environmentally friendly, convenient and practical and reasonably cool. My only concern is the durability of the bag. Are they built to hold heavy loads and last?
Mafan Green lasers rulz
view mafan's profile
I have one of this, in a beautiful lavender colour. I'm very proud to say when I buy something: I don't want a plastic bag, I have my own one!
view glaukopis's profile
I stumbled across these Eco Net Bags in a market in Melbourne (Australia) last year, and LOVE them. They fold up tiny, hold a lot more weight than you'd think, can be washed and air-dried in no time, and come in fabulous colors! I sometimes double them up in contrasting colors for additional strength and a different look. You can also use them to store your garlic/onions...just leave them in the bag on a hook when you get back from the store. A modern version of the string bag.
http://www.econetbags.com
view jeanjean's profile
I love the ideas of these bags, but when you see how they look... they are kind of on the wide side and wrinkly and sloppy looking, especially when you don't have to carry a lot. Some bags don't actually fit on my shoulder either, not with a coat on anyway, I have tried envirosax and had to send them back. Some bags, such as baggu, have their handles on the sides such as the bag shown, in that putting on your shoulder would be the wrong way.
I really was hoping to get some of these, but in real life, they aren't coming out so great. Even in Boston, most people carry the $1.00 reusable bags from one of our grocery store chains. I hardly ever see a Reisenthal or Envirosax, to be honest. Compact bags seem really convenient until you find they don't stand up and are clumsy to use. There has to be something in between too bulky and too flimsy.
I carry a regular tote bag of my own choice, with stuff already in it, and try to leave room for a small amount of groceries if I stop somewhere coming home. If I think I'll need more, the Whole Foods bags fold up small enough. They don't need to be teeny tiny.
view K T G's profile
I love my Envirosax bag that I got as swag. Stays rolled up in my purse at all times and I use it frequently when I have to run to the store to pick something up. I have a collection of canvas grocery and produce bags but find that because I can't leave them in the car (we have a high rate of theft from cars in my area), I don't always bring them out with me during the day.
This way, it's always on me. Holds a lot of groceries and fits over my shoulder.
view truenic's profile
I LOVE my reisenthel mini maxi shopper L (the larger version of this) - it's red with flowers. I use other bags for my grocery shopping, so it's not dirty or wet inside and I can use it when shopping for clothes, housewares, whatever. Fits over my shoulder comfortably and rolls into a nice pouch with a little clip. I also have a set of BAGGUs that I love for just about anything because they wash really well in the washing machine (I have spilled all over them, even olive oil, and they still look perfect). Seems like it's stylish to walk around with shopping bags from, um, cool stores - but I think stylish reusable bags could easily replace those.
Also, ah, ok it is a bit embarrassing that I care what my reusable bags look like, but if I have a choice, why not: Pier 1 had some cool printed $2 bags that I bought for grocery shopping when my two existing bags weren't enough anymore. They are just like the ones grocery stores sell around here, with hard inserts in the bottom so they stay straight.
view akostalas's profile