Will this be the year reusable grocery bags go mainstream? Let's hope so, because most major grocery stores in the area are doing their part. Nearly every grocery chain now sells a nice reusable bag (with their name on it) for about a dollar. Now it's up to us, the customers. So far, most Americans have not gotten into the mindset - prevalent in Europe - of bringing bags back to the grocery store. It doesn't have to be the store's bag, it can be any reusable bags, or even disposable plastic or paper bags that you reuse a bunch of times. Somehow we just need to remember to do it. So let's take a look at some of the great options now available here in the Twin Cities area if you want to Bring Your Own Bag.
Image: Ad Bag, via Alchemy Goods
Alchemy Goods
For a more high-end but uber-cool tote bag you can use for groceries, check out the Alchemy Goods ad bag.
Made in our EcoMetro sister city Seattle, these bags are crafted from
old vinyl advertising banners, seat belts and bike inner tubes, and
sell for $30. No two bags are alike. Although some people hate anything
made from vinyl, most of the problems with vinyl are in production, and
it's great to keep it out of the landfill. You can find these bags at
local Blue Sky Guide coupon merchants Erik's Bikes (save $5 on a purchase of $25), Fast & Furless (save $10 on a purchase of $50) and Birch Clothing (save $10 on a purchase of $40).
Trader Joe's
This national chain offers an attractive bag some folks love, for 99 cents. Some TJ's stores may sell additional types of reusable bags for $2 or so.
Whole Foods
Fitting its green ethic, this national chain announced in January that it would stop giving out disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts at all of its 270 stores by this Earth Day, April 22, 2008. Whole Foods, which has stores in Minneapolis and St Paul, also sells several reusable bags, including one for 99 cents made from recycled plastic bottles.
Ikea
The iconic international home furnishings chain sells a mammoth blue plastic tote bag for 99 cents.
ReusableBags.com
If you still haven't found the reusable grocery bag of your dreams, try this Chicago-based mother-lode website for reusable bags.
With all these choices, it won't get much easier. Now the ball is in our court - or rather, the bag is in our hands.