Reusable shopping bags

[Demeter9]

I'm looking at getting some. I don't like the ones I see at the market. They are too big.

My idea is that they need to be compact when folded. I want to have some in my house and some always in my van. So they need to be compact when done, but still big enough to hold groceries.

I don't trust the things I've seen written up about them online, and I want some opinions about the reuseable bags.

What are yours like, and what are the pros and cons of your bags?

[hipmummy]

I use old canvas bags. Like the ones you get free from banks and book clubs. Also Whole food Markets sells these really cool one that look like a paper bag andthey fold up like one; but they are not. They are two dollars and they work great. Plus they change the design every season.

[Benji'sMom]

I have this set and LOVE them. When I first got them I thought "they are too small, they won't be able to fit anything!" But the way it's made, like a net, they stretch to fit A LOT of stuff. I can fit 2 gallon size jugs of milk or water in one bag. But when you take everything out they are small again, and they fit into the little stuff sack (the stuff sack is really small, it can fit in the glove compartment of my car). OR you can just use one of them to hold the rest of them, stuff the rest of them inside it. I can't think of any cons. I guess they are cotton so they might eventually break but they haven't yet. http://www.reusablebags.com/store/ec...sack-p-17.html

[dbsam]

I couldn't bring myself to pay for the bags.
My canvas bags were also free. I have several small bags (I think I got most of them at our local Earth Day festival) and one large bag I rec'd from Costco for opening a Costco AmEx. I keep all the small bags in the large one. One large bag is great for holding all the produce and the smaller bags are good for heavy or fragile items.

[hipmummy]

I was wrong the whole foods ones are a dollar as well as trader Joes.
Also if you have a freecycle group around you you could post you need shopping bags.

[VeganCupcake]

I have several different types, but if you're looking for something that packs up really small, try the Chico bag, which you can get in lots of places, including here: http://store.greenfeet.com/itemMatri...=&MatrixType=1

I actually got one at my local health food store (for less than that online store). They pack into a little integrated pocket on the side, and when packed up, it's about the size of my fist. I keep one in my handbag so I have it with me at all times.

There are probably lots of other bags that fold up small.

[MissMommyNiceNice]

Hmm, I picked up some sweet bags at my newly converted from conventional grocery store. I don't know where they got them, but they are probably exactly what you're looking for.

They are made of recycled plastic. They are sqare shaped, same size as a paper bag and have a handle. They also have a little rubber mat in the bottom that reinforces the bottom and makes it stand square. They fold flat and hang nicely on my hook. Also, they hold a TON of stuff.

Try: www.ecobags.com I think I saw something similar on their site.

[staceychev]

We have Wegmans grocery stores near us, and they sell re-usable bags for $1. They're kind of based on the paper bags with handles, as a style, but fit much more. They've got a flat-bottom insert, which is really helpful, and fold up pretty much like paper bags--so I store them the same way, with them all folded up inside of another one.

[Amys1st]

Try chico bags. They look like those nasty plastic bags you get at most grocery stores etc. But they are like a nylon fabric and can be folded up into a bundle and even put on a keychain. I get them from a coop here.
I buy a bunch and give as gifts. They are always well received.

I also use them at the grocery store!

[Leta]

I aquired 4 or 5 for free (as I could not bear the thought of paying for something that they GIVE you), but it was never enough, so I went to Vinnie's and bought 10 more, for a total of $3.50. They all have some bank, hospital, or event on the side. They all fold up nicely and fit the one with the pocket on the outside (this pocket is where I keep my produce bags). I keep them in my trunk, they don't take up much space there.

[Abarat]

I made my own bags from some all cotton fabric I found for $0.50 a yard. It was a fabric that wasn't attractive enough for clothing and was a bit more stiff feeling than a quilter's cotton or most higher end calicos.

It's held up great and I can carry about 6 half-gallons of soy milk in one bag without worrying about the handles or bottoms/sides coming out.

I just store all of them inside one bag and keep them under the seat in our truck so they're always there when we need them.

I didn't bother with giving them too much structure with a square base and all, they're a very simple design. Feel free to pm me if you want pics/dimensions.

I love using cloth bags and won't ever go back! Cheap and easy to make, I almost wish I needed more because they were a fun project.

They're great and in my town I'm just about known as the "eccentric" bag lady...if I forget them or have run out and don't have them in a store the cashier usually asks where they are. It's pretty unusual to bring our own bags around here.

[Hopefulmama]

I got some from EBAY called Go-Again bags. They are similar to what most grocery stores sell. I noticed that they raised their prices a bit, but considering how often you use them, I think it's a good deal. They can hold a suprising amount, but are very compact when stored. I love them.

[Red Sonja]

I use the Chicobags too, they hold a lot and I like that I can just toss them in the washing machine. I've tried some mesh ones and the canvas ones I found at our local stores but didn't really like them.

[Meiri]

If you've got Giant Eagle nearby, they sell the bags that look very similar to brown paper, with handles and an insert to keep the bottom flat for 99 cents.

Looks like they're not the only grocery chain carrying this type of bag!

They fold very flat. They also decorate up nicely with fabric markers.

[kdabbler]

I have two of the bags sold by Stop & Shop, they fold into a little square and then snap together. I usually keep them in the car. They look like this: http://www.stopandshop.com/images/st...sable_bags.jpg

I also knitted a grocery bag that I keep in my purse. Not sure if you know how to knit or crochet. String bags are really compact and are great to carry around for "just in case". Darned if I can't find the blog where I got it from. It's similar to this one but with a shorter handle: http://magknits.com/June06/patterns/market.htm
You can probably find them in a store like Bed Bath and Beyond or a dollar store.

I would like to try the ACME Workhorse mesh bags that are sold at Reusablebags.com. They're designed to fit over the plastic bag holder.

But then again, I really like how the Stop & Shop bags have some structure and sit upright.

[Gumby]

I get canvas bags from Goodwill on half-price Saturdays.

[SusanInItaly]

I've ordered the Chico bags too. Waiting for them to arrive!