Reusable Grocery Bags?

[chely7425]

I really want to stop using the stupid plastic grocery bags... I have already found some highly recommended mesh produce bags on Etsy, but now I need a replacement for the plastic bags at check out!! I know I could buy the plain ones from some stores but I really would like to support a WAHM and I would love for them to be cute!! Any recommendations? How many would you get?

[Ola_]

I think how many you need depends on your shopping habits and the size of the bags. We have a few from the grocery store, and they hold probably as much as two plastic grocery bags because they're very roomy. We tend not to shop too much at one time so usually use between 1-3 each time. If you're buying for a large family or don't shop frequently I think you might need up to 6 (depending on how large they are).

Also, consider something that can stand up on it's own even a little bit. Makes it much easier for loading up the bag and less likely to fall over in the cart or trunk and make a big mess.

Another option they have in grocery stores here are reusable plastic bins, almost the size of a small laundry basket? These are handy when you've got a big shopping trip and quicker to pack at the checkout too.

[chely7425]

Baskets sound nice... but probably harder to carry in and out of the store with a couple kids in tow!! I think I found a site that says their bags hold about 2 plastic shopping bags worth, so maybe I need 6. We only shop every 2 weeks, other than trips for perishables.

[MamaChicken]

I use the grocery store ones and they are 2+ plastic bags worth. I shop once a week for 7 people and we cook every meal from scratch so lots of food. I use 7-10 bags per trip.

[Nuttybuddy]

Trader Joe's has good prices on reusable bags and a nice variety of sizes. They even have an insulated bag that works great for keeping items cold and frozen. I like to keep a couple of the type that will fold into themselves on hand because they don't take up as much space and fit easily into other bags (I keep them all in my insulated bag). Also, I keep mine in my car as much as possible so I don't forget them.

[chely7425]

I wish we had a Trader Joes but the only things within an hour of us are Walmart and the commissary... needless to say we shop at the commissary on post!! I have one insulated bag, but I never thought to use it for groceries because we live about 2 miles (possibly less) from the store! I found these:

http://www.reusablebags.com/store/sh...ets-c-2_1.html

They seem pretty nice... maybe next pay period I will order some

[Turquesa]

I just acquired mine incrementally through different trips to second-hand store. The canvas bags generally cost 3-5$/piece there. I prefer them to the flimsier kind that different retailers are selling these days.

[CherryBomb]

I've actually acquired quite a few as freebies at various events and such, and then I have one that my mom bought me from Aldi's. Though I can only seem to remember to take them to Aldis! Anywhere else and I forget, even if I have them in the van. Drives me nuts! I do reuse and recycle the plastic ones, so I don't worry a ton.

[Jaxinator]

One thing I tend to dislike about them, is that some of them are HUGE!
And those kids at the commisary will put 4 half gallons of milk in one bag, given the room. It's ridiculous. And now I have a few ripped bags, so that was even more waste. If you bag your own groceries it's less of a problem, but just something to be aware of.
I agree with buying ones that have some sort of structure, it does make loading and unloading them easier.

[ollyoxenfree]

I have about eight or ten re-usable grocery bags:

- 3 are insulated and are great for keeping meat, seafood, dairy, and frozen items cool. If I'm shopping at a farmer's market on a warm day, I'll toss in an ice-pack.

- 2 cotton bottle bags - divided to carry and protect 4 bottles each.

- a few sturdy, big plain shopping bags to carry general items.

The baskets/bins are great to use, but are designed to be used with a shopping cart really. Not great to carry around farmer's markets, although I will toss a couple in the car to hold and protect the bags of groceries.

I think it's a good idea to get a couple of extra bags so you can keep them in each car (if you have more than 1 vehicle).

As for packing the groceries in the supermarket - what's up with that? Before I brought in my own bags, it seemed like the checkout person knew how to pack properly in the bags provided by the store. Now, they seem to have completely lost the plot. I tell them not to bother, because I'm tired of having fragile fruit tossed in with jars and cans or baked goods crushed under bottles.

[wombatclay]

Our local thrift store has a "half off day" every week... so I check their pile of purses/backpacks/bags/totes/luggage on those days. I find I tend to leave reusable bags all over the place (so I forget to put them back in the car after shopping, or a few are still filled with CSA veggies two days later, or the kids have taken over a few of the bags and filled them with who knows what). I think I probably have 15-20 bags of various types, and of those I try to make sure I have 4 in the car for a shopping trip.

Personally I really like the variety of having lots of different bags... some are your standard "insert store name here" resuable bags, others are seaside style canvar totes (and yeah that to the "too big" comment!), some are leather-like messenger bags, and my favorite were probably purses (big deep reinforced rectangular shoulder bags with classic Alice in Wonderland images on them!).

[Nicole730]

I like having lot because I keep some in each car and some by the door for the way out of the house. I have some store ones (and I agree with PP, the fold up ones are nice), some canvas totes, and some homemade ones. They are all great!

[mamadelbosque]

I have a pretty big collection of various cloth bags from different things - NRDC, WWF, Corona, etc I've gotten really bad about not taking them in the past few months though, I really need to get back in the habit!!

[wombatclay]

Oh... Mother Earth News and MaryJane's Farm and (possibly) Make Magazine have all had recent articles on making your own mesh bags and clear "vinyl" bags for use at the store. Not the bigger "carry the groceries" bags, but the smaller bags you can use for bulk goods or fruits/veggies.

[chel]

i have tons of bags. all but one insulated one was free. many from conferences my dh went to. he went to one for several years and now i have a nice matching set of large canvas. i like large bags as i tend to buy light but bulky things.

a great design for the cheap light weight bags is to use a t-shirt. sew the bottom together and cut off the arms, right after the seam. you can also cut off the neck band if you want a larger opening. we did the at church camp one year and my dd loves her bag, she used a sports camp t that was too big. bigger shirt = bigger bag. so a preschool t is a great child's tote bag. dd just grabed her bag to go to the pool.

tanks tops work even better since you don't have to cut anything, just sew the bottom shut.