BYOB – Bring Your Own Bag
From Giftypedia
Facts:
- Using one shopping bag for a year replaces between 300 and 700 disposable bags. [1]
- Only 10 to 15 percent of paper bags and 1 to 3 percent of plastic bags are recycled.
- The average American uses between 300 and 700 plastic bags per year. [2]
[edit] Stores Eliminate Plastic Bags
Many places are outlawing plastic checkout bags. For 'green' shoppers, the right answer to "Paper or plastic?" is now "Neither."
Reusable bags[3] are gaining popularity, and are available from grocery, hardware and even furniture stores for any where from .89 to 1.99 each. Some of these bags have are designer creations in bright colors with the retailer's name on the side.
Even stores that don’t sell their own bags may offer recycling bins for plastic sacks.
[edit] Types of Reusable Shopping Bags
 |
 |
 |
 |
Shopping Bags
- Recycled Paper
- Recycled Plastic – from old bags, from old PET bottles, polyester.
- Recycled Rice Sacks – Asian bags made into shopping totes [4]
Grocery Bags
- Cloth – cotton canvas, hemp, linen.
- Produce Bags – lightweight cotton with drawstring. Net styles also good for travel items.
- Mesh – nylon or natural material.
- Market Basket
Other Types
- Fold Up Pouches
- Insulated Bags
- Bottle Bag – designed to hold bottles upright
[edit] Shop With Style
Wouldn’t be caught dead with a limp canvas bag? A true designer shopping bag can be yours for as littles as $33 up to a whopping $960.
You can have your bag personalized with a monogram, your name, favorite hobby or pictures of the grandkids.
Show your Fair Trade conscience with an eco-friendly shopping tote make from recycled materials such as gum wrappers, rice bags or juice containers.
[edit] Memory Tips For Using Your Bag
- Store your bags in the car so they're always ready.
- Put your keys in a bag so you can't leave without it.
- Keep your bags in the same place you keep your purse or wallet.
- Use compact, foldable bags and put them back in your purse, backpack or wallet.
- Have several bags so you can keep one handy at all times.
- Some stores give out small stickers for your car to help as a reminder.
[edit] Related
- Fair Trade and the Socially Conscious Shopper
- Eco Friendly Gift Giving
- Frugal Gifts for Frugal People
