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This Month at A Little Greener

::August::

section-photo Consider:
  1. Finding reusable bags you will actually use
    2. Establish a system for having the bags available when you need them, like putting them at the front door after unpacking groceries for easy return to your car, bike rack, day bag, etc.
    3. Use reusable bags for all of your errands, not just groceries. Keep one in your day bag for trips to the book store, post office, pharmacy
    4. Good reusable bags make great gift toppers or wrapping paper: two gifts in one!

Reusable bags have become a hot topic in green living, thanks in part to progressive measures to curb the use of disposable bags, as is being done in San Francisco. However, the concept of a reusable bag is not a new one. In fact, study, reusable bags to carry goods came way before the disposable paper or plastic culture we have established in the United States. Think of a cultural return to reusable bags (a way to reduce consumption of plastics, paper, chemicals, water, energy and limit carbon dioxide emissions) as a return to our consumer roots. Envision one drawer or basket holding all the bags you need to do your shopping. Picture never having to stuff one more plastic bag into the bag holder because you did not make it to the store to recycle them and the dog just is not going through them at the rate you bring them home. This is a doable change.

The one part about reusable bags that is not great is the bulk that comes with traditional canvas totes. To that end, one of A Little Greener’s favorite inventions is called a ChicoBag (pictured above). A ChicoBag is smartly designed to stuff into a pouch attached to the bag itself so that it is about the size of a bar of soap and can easily fit in a purse, messenger bag, glove compartment etc. Check out ChicoBags if bulk has kept you away from reusable practices.

Another favorite comes from the Picnic at Ascot line- an insulated bag idea for delicate and perishable items. While the tote shown above does not hold a huge amount if you actually want to zip it shut, it will accommodate the eggs, frozen broccoli and cheese from a small grocery trip.

It is important to cut back on the amount of disposable bags we all use. Plastic bags come from petroleum and do not biodegrade. Paper bags largely come from trees and can be composted but often sit around in landfills too. Recycled content paper bags and biodegradable “plastic” bags are better options but still require energy, water and chemicals to be produced in addition to the fuel required to transport them to stores. Using a reusable bag for several years could help you avoid the consuming hundreds, if not thousands, of disposable bags.


Find a bag that makes you happy and try it out!