Reusable grocery bag ?????

[Redheaded Sunshine]

I got one from Target that is made from recycled shopping bags...it has longer sturdy handles so that I can put it over my shoulder like a tote bag no problem. And it's super sturdy, I've put 4 2-liters of soda in it no problem. I got it on clearance...but I've seen them since then. They're more than the $1 variety, but built to last...I've had mine for more than 3 years.

 

[RangerPooh]

The ones that I got at Safeway for $1 fell apart pretty fast, but I got one at Shoppers and it held up really well. I have found that the Meijer's ones for $1are the best.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I find the $1 ones sold at alot of stores not really durable. (Ones that are a thin, non woven material.. the "tarp" material ones are a little better.)

I got canvas totes at Goodwill (usually just a buck or two, though make take a few trips to get "enough" to have a stash.) The ones I get are the sort usually given out at conventions, etc. Sturdy canvas ones with a logo of some company trying to sell something. Definately can go in the washer and dry. (May shrink a little bit, but not really a huge deal.)

I also have a few Envirosax types mentioned above. (One ES was a gift, I found similar ones at AC Moore a couple years ago in clearance for a buck.) Those are really handy because they fold right up and you can keep 2 or 3 in your purse. As said, they're washable and dry almost instantly when you hang them up.

 

[Mrs. Sojourner]

I have the Envirosax Flora Set and LOVE them!

http://www.reuseit.com/store/envirosax-flora-pouch-reusable-shopping-bags-p-1078.html

They are super durable and wash well. They have lasted almost 2 years so far (in Africa, no doubt) and I see them lasting many more.

I previously used the cheap re-usable bags and prefer these.

 

[bellarella]

Can these reusable bags be washed - there was a show on tv not long about the health risks to using some types of reusable bags. For example, meat and milk leakage one week and then you reuse it for veggies another week. Just wondering how you handle possible cross-contamination?

I have dedicated bags for things that could contaminate. All my meat goes into the same insulated bag every time (that I wash out after), for example.

I have a bunch of bags I've gotten from a variety of sources (almost all for free). I find the grocery store/Target ones to be pretty flimsy. They are great for boxes and light stuff though (cereal, pasta, crackers, bags of chips, etc.). I have canvas-type bags that have less shape than the grocery/Target types. They don't do as well for boxed good, but because they are stronger, they are good for cans and weightier items. They can also be washed easily and are good for dairy that way. My favorite bags, though are from Whole Foods -- they are made of recycled material, have a "plasticy" feel (so can be wiped down with clorox wipes easily) and are large and sturdy. I got them for $1. I also got my meat bag there as well (they gave it out free one day).

My biggest issue is remembering to put the bags in the car. I now have enough that I can put my favorites in the car I usually take for shopping and put the back-ups in the other one.

 

[mrspaha]

If you have a Menards near you, they currently have those common meshy-cloth type bags FAR, limit 10. You pay $.98 each, but then you get it all back in the form of a merchandise credit except for tax when you submit the rebate. I got some a few months ago when they ran the same FAR promotion, and the bags are fine, similar to the ones that you can buy just about anywhere for a buck. Went back a few days ago and got 10 more.

Since I do a lot of my shopping at Aldis, I obviously take these with. I already have them "lined" with the brown paper bags and I take some smaller grocery plastic bags with me that I put the cold, wet, frozen or perishables in first before putting them in the shopping bag.

I do most of my other grocery shopping at Ultra, which is a chain store just in the Chicagoland area. (BTW, if you have one near you they have great prices especially on produce). You get a $.05 credit for each reusable bag you bring to use, although they do have plastic and paper bags that you can use w/no extra charge.

Sorry I digressed a bit there -- but in summary, I have found that the FAR clothy-meshy bags work just fine for me.

 

[C_leen]

They periodically have a special seasonal plastic-coated bag they sell for $4.95 if you buy 2 books. I love them for groceries bc they are built to last forever with a good solid handle and you can wipe them out!

I often get them on clearance after Xmas. They usually have lovely flower motifs.

My real problem is I leave the darn things in the car all too often!

 

[ceecee]

I love my Trader Joe's ones the best.

I love my Trader Joe's bags, I've used them for years.

 

[mtblujeans]

Does anyone have the Costco bags? They sell out so fast at our store that I can never find them but I have seen them and they are *huge*!

 

[2binak]

We use Envirosax bags and they are great! Each bag holds at least 2 plastic bags worth of groceries. They are hand or machine washable too. Love them! I bought mine on deal-a-day sites and have gotten them for at least 50% off that way.

 

[Swimalie]

Can these reusable bags be washed - there was a show on tv not long about the health risks to using some types of reusable bags. For example, meat and milk leakage one week and then you reuse it for veggies another week. Just wondering how you handle possible cross-contamination?

I make sure that meat is put in a plastic bag before being put in my reusable bag. And I don't let them bag my milk.

 

[Skpnw]

I like the bags from Whole Foods - I have the ones that say something about how the bag was made from plastic bottles. The material is very easy to clean. They are also big. Trader Joes bags are nice as well.

 

[Mom2m&k]

I LOVE my bags from my market Hannfords. They are about a paperbag and a half size and very sturdy. I have not had a single one split on me! My disney store bags on the other hand..while cute...are not sturdy at all. I used them for the kids snow clothes to take to school and all of them have split very quickly. I now just use my hannafords ones and they are going strong!

 

[I Believe In Magic]

Bath & Body Works has really durable ones and they look similar to the envirosax ones, they also fold up so you can keep a couple in your purse. I have several and get lots of compliments on them! They wash really nice too. I mostly use those and my Trader Joe bags, and I always use the huge IKEA ones to take my papers to the Atibiti recycling station. Love my reusable bags!!

(and FYI, I have yet to see one person using them at the grocery store, so it's nice to hear someone else uses them!!)

 

[Sagginit]

i got organic cotton canvas bags over three years ago from http://www.reuseit.com/ . i love that i can wash them and they hold a lot of weight. it is also nice because i can throw them on my shoulders and my hands are free to pull out my car keys and open the trunk. i also love my produce bags. the produce seems to keep longer and i dont have to scavenge for plastic bags in the produce area. they sometimes have promotions for free shipping or discounts. also there was a recent report about some of those plastic grocery store ones having lead in them, you dont need to worry about that with an organic canvas tote.

 

[*Seanaci*]

We have bags from Walmart, Target, Safeway and Disney Store. We've invested about $25 in bags over the course of a couple years now. AND have more than paid for them (as Target offers $.05 discount for every reusable bag they pack your groceries in.

We've never washed them...as we ask that our raw meats be packed in a plastic bag (we buy several packages of hamburger meat or ground turkey at a time and freeze it for later use). Which prevents juices from leaking on the bags. And we never have them put our milk, or laundry detergent in bags. So no need to wash. And if something does spill, we hand wash the bag in the sink and hang it on a drying rack to dry.

 

[skip323]

We have numerous types of reusable bags...some for groceries and toiletries and some for the mall.

Our grocery ones are from Trader Joes....LOVE them. They are very sturdy. I cannot even begin to tell you how long we have had them! We do not have the canvas ones from TJ's. We just use them and then use Method antibac' spray. Spray them down....wipe them or let them air dry...which ever. Do that (usually...not always I hate to admit) right after unloading the groceries. We also have a great sturdy one from Target...it is huge.

We have some canvas ones...usually we use those for toiletries or the mall. We also have the little Chico bags that fold up into little pouches...those are great for keeping in your purse just in case you stop somewhere. We have had those for about 3 years and they are just beginning to wear at the seam.

www.reuseit.com has excellent options for every type of "shopping occasion"...meaning when I am at the mall I really don't prefer to carry the stiffer trader Joe bags...I like more of a sack type bag with a nice design.

My girls have really cute bags from old navy that they use for the mall. They are a sturdier bag but small and with a cute design.

 

[mrs.sammich]

I have the canvas boat bags that LLbean sells. I grabbed them at the outlet a few years ago-they had returns with initials or names on them. I just wanted a few for carrying towels or toys at the beach. They were crazy cheap at the time. I use them for canned good/ bulky items. They wash fine. They are huge, and don't fold nicely, but I just roll them all up and shove them inside the largest. I bet someone that took the time to fold them could make them look nice.

 

[blackforest]

I love my ones from Aldi's. They are $1.99 each, but are huge and hold tons. Also, I use them in the cart, load them up, get the stuff out to pay, then have the clerk repack them. I have been known to forget to use them! I just refold them and keep them in the back of the van, and I use them for lots of other things too!

 

[heathernfrankie]

I use one from Thirty-One Gifts. We have insulated ones too. They are pricier then the $1 ones, but I LOVE my Large Utility Tote for the groceries and the Market Thermal tote for my cold stuff. Here's my webpage
http://www.mythirtyone.com/HeatherMastropieri/
and then click on view our catalog.