The ‘in’ convenient bag
June 9th, 2009
Last week, Washington, DC, joined the ranks of cities across the US that have proposed a ban or tax on single-use shopping bags, with the DC Council voting unanimously to assess a 5-cent tax on paper and plastic bags. The proposition, which would allow businesses to keep a penny for each bag sold and designate the other four cents to a fund to clean up the Anacostia River, is up for a vote later this month. So far, San Francisco is the only major city in the US to successfully ban plastic bags in grocery stores, though similar measures are being considered in Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, and — thanks to Reps. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Jim Moran (D-VA) — the US House of Representatives.
With plastic (and paper) bag ban initiatives gaining momentum across the country and this morning the call from a top UN official for a worldwide ban on single-use plastic shopping bags, it seems like the perfect time to get a head start in the reusable tote department. After all, one of the best ways to stop a bad habit is to substitute a new, improved one.
Over the years, I’ve amassed quite a collection of reusable bags constructed from a rainbow of eco-friendly materials — canvas, expandable cotton mesh, woven polypropylene made from recycled soda bottles, even one fashioned from recycled rice bags. But my favorite one to date is from Los Angeles-based start-up The Inconvenient Bag.
The bags cost a bit more than your run-of-the-mill Trader Joe’s canvas tote — prices start at $17.99 if you order from the website — but if you’re lucky enough to catch owner Marc Sahara at an LA-area farmers market or festival (where I first came across his bags), you can snag one for about half that price. I own the cute natural-colored number shown here, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked where I bought it — most recently by the checkout lady at Target as I stuffed it to the gills with my purchases, for my two-mile walk home (did I mention how sturdy this tote is?).
And, unlike my Trader Joe’s canvas sacks, which are made in China, The Inconvenient Bag manufactures its bags in the LA area, so you’ll be helping the environment and the local economy at the same time.
–Jennifer Grayson
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June 9th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Great site! I’ve added you to my blog list and google reader. Looking forward to more posts.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Great post. It’s about time to ban those plastic ones! And how cool is this canvas bag!
Btw, in Germany I grew up with canvas bags for shopping. As long as I can remember they charge 10 to 20 cents or so for a plastic bag and everyone is used to it. I know it’s hard to imagine for people across the US, including myself now having been guilty for following the plastic trend when I moved here, but I think in no time, everyone will show up with their own little bag for shopping.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Thanks for this comment, Karolin. I didn’t know that stores charge for plastic bags in Germany. I think once Americans get over the initial shock of being charged for something they’ve come to accept as free, they’ll quickly adapt and start bringing their own bags. After all, Whole Foods stopped providing plastic bags in its stores last year, and I don’t see less people shopping there because of it. In fact, I’ve noticed a marked increase in the number of Whole Foods shoppers bringing their own reusable totes.