So my LA folks, looks like you need some suggestions for sustainable bags options. In June, LA city council took a bold and necessary step in banning single-use plastic bags in markets. Have no idea what I am speaking of?
From the Huffington Post:
The council’s Energy and Environment Committee on Monday approved the final environmental impact report on the proposal, which is designed to eliminate the 2 billion plastic bags that are now given out by the markets each year in Los Angeles.
Shoppers would need to either bring in their own reusable bags or purchase paper bags for 10 cents each. The stores will retain the fee.
Councilman Paul Koretz, who authored the proposal that will take effect in January 2014 for large stores after an education period, said the city wanted to get the measure in place as soon as possible. Smaller stores will be required to begin the program in June 2014.
“This will make for an effective regional ban,” Koretz said, adding the city is planning a 1 million bag giveaway of reusable bags manufactured by veterans and former gang members.
Read more at the Huffington Post.
I keep at least one reusable shopping bag folded in my purse at all times for random shopping trips or an extra bag. These are just a handful of some of the options available on the market.
$39.25 + FREE Shipping on AmazonThese stylish, graphic print bags serve not just as shopping bags but as cute accessories. I am in love with the prints on these. They are made from 100% lead-free polyester and each bag measures 19_” x 16_” and holds the equivalent of 2 grocery bags. They can be hand wash in warm water and line dried. I usually wash quickly in the sink and then hang off a chair to dry. If I have several to wash, I throw in the washer machine on delicate.
Chicobags were the first reusabe bags I ever used consistently and I still have several because of their handy keychain. They stuff into a built-in pouch from a full-size shopping bag. The clips literally clip to anything and make it easy to transport. They are made with certified fair labor,. As with the above bags, they can be hand washed or machine washed cold and hung to dry. They also have a forty pound carrying capacity,
$24.95 & FREE Shipping
The Simply Ecology bags host 6 interior pop-out bottle sleeves keep tall items in place. It’s a large size (15 in. tall x 12 in. wide x 7 in. deep, the same as a paper grocery bag.
Made of sturdy 11 oz. Organic Cotton Canvas, certified according to Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS).
As for washing, Simply Ecology offers the following:
“After the first few washes Natural bags MAY appear excessively wrinkled and shrunken, depending on your water hardness and laundry detergent. DON’T BE ALARMED. You can stretch them back out and reduce the wrinkles by pulling on the fabric when the bag is wet. You’ll be very surprised how much the canvas stretches back out, and the wrinkles recede. After stretching, fold it flat and air dry. When bags are filled with heavy loads they will also stretch out and soften, until they are “broken in”. Over time the natural bags become softer, similar to the color bags.”
Elephant, Blue Stripes, Alpaca (set of 3) – 26.99Made from 100% Ripstop Nylon, the standard size is 15.5″W x 25.5″H x 6″D and folds flat into 5″x5″ pouch. Machine washable and holds up to 50 pounds.
To view and purchase more bags from all the lines above plus some other gems, click here.
Do you use eco-friendly shopping bag options? If so, what’s your go to bag? If not, will you start? Leave a comment and let me know!
