Which Tote Bag Is Right for You?

Ditch the plastic bag. Check out these reusable totes!

May/June 2008
By Danae DeShazer 
Image Gallery
Recyclable ChicoBags (left) and organic hemp/cotton ACME bags help lighten your eco-load.
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Bag the plastic shopping bags—switch to reusable totes. Just one person making that change could eliminate the need for hundreds of disposable plastic bags a year. While some are recyclable, few plastic bags are biodegradable. Typical plastic is photodegradable—light breaks it down into smaller and more brittle pieces of waste—but it never really disintegrates. And most plastics are made from non-renewable petroleum. Now that San Francisco and China have officially banned plastic grocery bags, more prohibitions may follow.

RELATED CONTENT

To help prepare you for your next shopping venture, Natural Home set out to find the best green, reusable totes.

EcoBags

The string bag has been a staple in Europe for decades and is very lightweight. Made from certified organic cotton, the EcoBags Classic String Bag is colorful, flirty and pure function (the bags are said to hold up to 40 pounds!). They make a colorful fashion statement that will last through seasons of shopping. Available in more than 30 colors, $7 to $10 each.

ChicoBag

With a 20-pound capacity, this bag provides ample size and super durability. It’s made of nylon, so when you’re done with your ChicoBag, return it to the company to be repurposed into new products such as door mats and dog beds. The best thing?ChicoBag folds into its own pouch, perfect for your pocket or purse and ready for shopping excursions. Ten colors, $6 each.

ACME Bags

The Dual-Handled Lightweight Hemp Tote by ACME, in plain black or natural, is made from an organic hemp and cotton blend. With a double set of handles—one short and one longer—you can carry it over your shoulder or in your hand. $8 each.

Natural Home Bag

It’s shameless self-promotion time! You can support the environment and your favorite magazine with our sleek organic cotton Natural Home tote with a wide-mouth pocket. $10 each.

Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

  • Rebecca 5/28/2009 3:39:43 PM

    I'm surprised that you don't recommend making your own bags. I've made several and my favorites are made from old pillow shams stitched up the sides with a handle attached. I've decorated them with pockets and buttons...it recycles fabrics and saves on plastic bags.

  • FishGirl 5/19/2009 8:40:37 PM

    I was disappointed to NOT see more American made products. Isn't this magazine based in the USA? While one of the vendors you list does have a few products made in the USA - the majority of their products are imported. In these tough economic times we need to support our fellow country men (and women). Loss of manufacturing in our country is just one of our financial problems. The products do seem like they are well made & get great reviews from those that have purchased them. Your own tote is described as "sweat-shop free". Why not made in USA?

Add Your Comment

You can use this comment form to enter your personal experiences or additional information and resources that you'd like to share with Natural Home readers. Your helpful advice will be posted on this page.  E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Natural Home Magazine?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe today and save 50%
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Subscribe to Natural Home

Welcome to Natural Home, the authority on green lifestyle and design. With an up-to-date outlook on current trends in sustainable building and wholesome living, Natural Home gives today’s eco-conscious homeowners the information they need to live in nurturing, healthy homes. Subscribe to Natural Home today to get inspired on the art of living wisely and living well.

Save money and a few trees by paying with your credit card now. Take advantage of our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You’ll save an additional $5 and get six issues of Natural Home for just $14.95! (Offer valid only in the U.S.)

Or, choose Bill Me Later and pay just $19.95