Comments on: Be careful on the Reusable Bags Bandwagon http://myplasticfreelife.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-reusable-bags-bandwagon/ Learn to live life with less plastic... for the health of our bodies, our oceans, our planet. I don't buy new plastic. Join me on my plastic-free journey. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:55:13 +0000 hourly 1 By: Beth Terry http://myplasticfreelife.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-reusable-bags-bandwagon/comment-page-1/#comment-35012 Beth Terry Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:09:53 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-the-reusable-bags-bandwagon/#comment-35012 Yes. I love Chico Bags. They are extremely convenient and save many, many disposable bags. Plus the company is very active in the anti-plastic bag movement. I wrote this post a long time ago, and its tone is probably more judgmental that if I had written it now. However, I do think it's important to ask ourselves if we really need new "green" things and to reuse what we already have first. Yes. I love Chico Bags. They are extremely convenient and save many, many disposable bags. Plus the company is very active in the anti-plastic bag movement. I wrote this post a long time ago, and its tone is probably more judgmental that if I had written it now. However, I do think it’s important to ask ourselves if we really need new “green” things and to reuse what we already have first.

]]> By: Alexandra http://myplasticfreelife.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-reusable-bags-bandwagon/comment-page-1/#comment-35011 Alexandra Sun, 05 Jun 2011 23:41:40 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-the-reusable-bags-bandwagon/#comment-35011 What about Chico bags? I have one in my purse and pull it out whenever I forget my basket. This Chico bag makes me happy. A friend gave it to me. I am thinking of getting some to give guests at my B&B. Don't you think having a collapsible bag that you can carry at all times and use when needed to avoid plastic bags is a good thing? What about Chico bags? I have one in my purse and pull it out whenever I forget my basket. This Chico bag makes me happy. A friend gave it to me. I am thinking of getting some to give guests at my B&B. Don’t you think having a collapsible bag that you can carry at all times and use when needed to avoid plastic bags is a good thing?
Alexandra´s last [type] ..Knocked Out By Roses

]]> By: Jenn the Greenmom http://myplasticfreelife.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-reusable-bags-bandwagon/comment-page-1/#comment-35007 Jenn the Greenmom Sun, 05 Jun 2011 22:22:39 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-the-reusable-bags-bandwagon/#comment-35007 Thanks for this--I bought some bags from reusablebags.com a couple of years ago, and they are awesome--but then they spent the next year or so until I officially removed myself from their mailing lists because they kept sending emails and sales and promotions and desperately trying to get me to buy MORE reusable bags. I'm like, okay, the whole point was that I'd have maybe 3 or 4 bags and that's all I'll need for the indefinite future... I still like my cloth bags, and I really don't much like the plastic ones from the store (you can hardly carry anything in them!), but your'e right--how many does one need? Thanks for this–I bought some bags from reusablebags.com a couple of years ago, and they are awesome–but then they spent the next year or so until I officially removed myself from their mailing lists because they kept sending emails and sales and promotions and desperately trying to get me to buy MORE reusable bags. I’m like, okay, the whole point was that I’d have maybe 3 or 4 bags and that’s all I’ll need for the indefinite future…

I still like my cloth bags, and I really don’t much like the plastic ones from the store (you can hardly carry anything in them!), but your’e right–how many does one need?
Jenn the Greenmom´s last [type] ..“To fear death- my friends- is only to think ourselves wise- without being wise…”

]]> By: Audrey http://myplasticfreelife.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-reusable-bags-bandwagon/comment-page-1/#comment-12328 Audrey Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:43:32 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-the-reusable-bags-bandwagon/#comment-12328 Hello, I know this post is a couple of years old but I thought I would add my 2 cents worth. What I do is instead of getting a t-shirt/hat/shot glass/junk from a vacation I get a canvas bag that has something meaningful from that place on it. For instance, I have a canvas bag from the Chicago Museum of Art and a canvas bag from Boston with a picture of the little duck statues on it. Everytime I pull out a bag to use it for shopping/carrying things it takes me back to those wonderful vactions I had. People now give me cloth bags as presents and when I use them I am reminded about that person. (Can you tell I'm a bit sentimental?) Hello, I know this post is a couple of years old but I thought I would add my 2 cents worth. What I do is instead of getting a t-shirt/hat/shot glass/junk from a vacation I get a canvas bag that has something meaningful from that place on it. For instance, I have a canvas bag from the Chicago Museum of Art and a canvas bag from Boston with a picture of the little duck statues on it. Everytime I pull out a bag to use it for shopping/carrying things it takes me back to those wonderful vactions I had. People now give me cloth bags as presents and when I use them I am reminded about that person. (Can you tell I’m a bit sentimental?)

]]> By: Heather http://myplasticfreelife.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-reusable-bags-bandwagon/comment-page-1/#comment-2922 Heather Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:47:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-the-reusable-bags-bandwagon/#comment-2922 I just found this post so I know I'm really late in leaving a comment! <br/><br/>I love your blog and agree wholeheartedly, especially with this post. I've used canvas bags for years; they were from conventions my mom went to so they all have logos on them that deal with cardiovascular health. <br/><br/>I have found an amazing site called www.myrecycledbags.com where the woman uses plastic bags for many of her crocheting projects. They are amazing! The great thing is, she also displays all her patterns for free, so that we can all benefit. I have made three bags from her patterns and they've all turned out really well. They also make for great conversation pieces :)<br/><br/>The funny thing is that I have to ask friends and co-workers for all my "supplies" since I don't get plastic bags anymore.<br/><br/>Check out her site, you might find something you'd like to knit! I just found this post so I know I’m really late in leaving a comment!

I love your blog and agree wholeheartedly, especially with this post. I’ve used canvas bags for years; they were from conventions my mom went to so they all have logos on them that deal with cardiovascular health.

I have found an amazing site called http://www.myrecycledbags.com where the woman uses plastic bags for many of her crocheting projects. They are amazing! The great thing is, she also displays all her patterns for free, so that we can all benefit. I have made three bags from her patterns and they’ve all turned out really well. They also make for great conversation pieces :)

The funny thing is that I have to ask friends and co-workers for all my “supplies” since I don’t get plastic bags anymore.

Check out her site, you might find something you’d like to knit!

]]> By: Jennie http://myplasticfreelife.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-reusable-bags-bandwagon/comment-page-1/#comment-2230 Jennie Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:05:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-the-reusable-bags-bandwagon/#comment-2230 Thank you for this! Yes, I had the "D'oh!" moment after buying two Chicco bags, and then realizing I was contributing to the Smug Pollution... and had bought *nylon* bags. Duh.<br/><br/>But I'm collecting canvas and other bags to reuse till they wear out, and have crocheted one string bag and plan to crochet more.<br/><br/>Found your site because I pulled a rice bag out of a neighbor's recycling (!?) and was wondering what to do with it. Thank you for this! Yes, I had the “D’oh!” moment after buying two Chicco bags, and then realizing I was contributing to the Smug Pollution… and had bought *nylon* bags. Duh.

But I’m collecting canvas and other bags to reuse till they wear out, and have crocheted one string bag and plan to crochet more.

Found your site because I pulled a rice bag out of a neighbor’s recycling (!?) and was wondering what to do with it.

]]> By: S http://myplasticfreelife.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-reusable-bags-bandwagon/comment-page-1/#comment-2196 S Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:06:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-the-reusable-bags-bandwagon/#comment-2196 Japanese people have furoshiki fabric which ties around whatever it is. Make your own bag in this fashion, and save electricity that would be used to sew your own. Alnernately, use a pareo, or length of some lightweight fabric that can be tied once around the items, and then if the ends of fabric are long enough, can be tied around your body and carried like a satchel, sling bag, or crossed over the front and tied around the waist, similar to a backpack.<br/><br/>More stores in Hawaii should encorage reusable "bring your own" type shoppers by offering a deduction from the grocery bill for those who don't take a bag.<br/><br/>I've opted to take my own large mug and plate to work with my own chopsticks and spoons for eating lunch. If I go to the snackshop and get breakfast or lunch, I ask her not to put it in a styrofoam container and not to give me a plastic bag and utensils. She's caught on to this, and I actually get larger servings in lieu of saving her money on the disposable items.<br/><br/>Back to the plastic bag thing - I save a bunch of them, folding them up neatly, and take them to a vendor at the local Open Market. I get a discount from the woman vendor for turning in these bags which she recyles out to those without bags!<br/><br/>Win-win. Japanese people have furoshiki fabric which ties around whatever it is. Make your own bag in this fashion, and save electricity that would be used to sew your own. Alnernately, use a pareo, or length of some lightweight fabric that can be tied once around the items, and then if the ends of fabric are long enough, can be tied around your body and carried like a satchel, sling bag, or crossed over the front and tied around the waist, similar to a backpack.

More stores in Hawaii should encorage reusable “bring your own” type shoppers by offering a deduction from the grocery bill for those who don’t take a bag.

I’ve opted to take my own large mug and plate to work with my own chopsticks and spoons for eating lunch. If I go to the snackshop and get breakfast or lunch, I ask her not to put it in a styrofoam container and not to give me a plastic bag and utensils. She’s caught on to this, and I actually get larger servings in lieu of saving her money on the disposable items.

Back to the plastic bag thing – I save a bunch of them, folding them up neatly, and take them to a vendor at the local Open Market. I get a discount from the woman vendor for turning in these bags which she recyles out to those without bags!

Win-win.

]]> By: Anonymous http://myplasticfreelife.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-reusable-bags-bandwagon/comment-page-1/#comment-1236 Anonymous Sun, 03 Feb 2008 17:14:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-the-reusable-bags-bandwagon/#comment-1236 For a years I've been buying basmati rice - 10-20 lb bags in burlap. These bags ended up in the garbage or compost bin. Now I've decided to keep them instead as a grocery bag. It comes with a zipper already and handles. It's a bit smaller than a plastic grocery bag, but holds a lot of stuff if you squeeze it. It only holds a gallon of milk, but you can probably stuff other thinner stuff in them.<br/><br/>Also, going to coffee/grain shops for their burlap bags can be good for sewers. Just cut it rectangle and sew the sides together w/ thick thread if your machine can handle it. For a years I’ve been buying basmati rice – 10-20 lb bags in burlap. These bags ended up in the garbage or compost bin. Now I’ve decided to keep them instead as a grocery bag. It comes with a zipper already and handles. It’s a bit smaller than a plastic grocery bag, but holds a lot of stuff if you squeeze it. It only holds a gallon of milk, but you can probably stuff other thinner stuff in them.

Also, going to coffee/grain shops for their burlap bags can be good for sewers. Just cut it rectangle and sew the sides together w/ thick thread if your machine can handle it.

]]> By: Dana Miller http://myplasticfreelife.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-reusable-bags-bandwagon/comment-page-1/#comment-1227 Dana Miller Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:46:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-the-reusable-bags-bandwagon/#comment-1227 Another great option - BaggyShirts - Reusable Bags Made From Recycled Clothing for a Healthier Planet! They are made in the US, and the artisans are paid a decent wage and make BaggyShirts from their homes! Check them out at www.baggy-shirts.com! Another great option – BaggyShirts – Reusable Bags Made From Recycled Clothing for a Healthier Planet! They are made in the US, and the artisans are paid a decent wage and make BaggyShirts from their homes! Check them out at http://www.baggy-shirts.com!

]]> By: Clif http://myplasticfreelife.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-reusable-bags-bandwagon/comment-page-1/#comment-348 Clif Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:59:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2007/08/be-careful-on-the-reusable-bags-bandwagon/#comment-348 When speaking of reusing plastic bags, don't forget you can reuse plastic bottles. One 12oz soda bottle is 1 oz of plastic. One 2 liter soda bottle is 1.8 oz of plastic but holds 6 times as much soda. Refill 6 12oz plastic soda bottles from a 2 liter bottle and you have not only saved lots of plastic, but LOTS of money over time, cutting you soda expense down to less than 2 cents an ounce. My bunny and I have just completed a year of doing this with the same set of 12oz bottles and there is no reason we can't continue with them indefinitely. Of course, it says on the bottles DO NOT REFILL, probably for health reasons. But, if you rinse them out after every use there is no problem, we are the proof, still alive and kicking ...er...recycling. You lose a little of the fizz, but not to the point of making the soda flat. When speaking of reusing plastic bags, don’t forget you can reuse plastic bottles. One 12oz soda bottle is 1 oz of plastic. One 2 liter soda bottle is 1.8 oz of plastic but holds 6 times as much soda. Refill 6 12oz plastic soda bottles from a 2 liter bottle and you have not only saved lots of plastic, but LOTS of money over time, cutting you soda expense down to less than 2 cents an ounce. My bunny and I have just completed a year of doing this with the same set of 12oz bottles and there is no reason we can’t continue with them indefinitely. Of course, it says on the bottles DO NOT REFILL, probably for health reasons. But, if you rinse them out after every use there is no problem, we are the proof, still alive and kicking …er…recycling. You lose a little of the fizz, but not to the point of making the soda flat.

]]>