Ditch Plastic Grocery Bags for Good With These 12 Reusable Alternatives
Sustainability is increasingly on our minds, and there are more options than ever when it comes to reusable shopping bags that are functional and stylish. Here are some of our favorites.
Plastic bags are fast becoming a thing of the past: they're not great for the planet, and they're not all that great for keeping your groceries secure, either. Luckily, there are lots of sustainable, affordable and practical reusable grocery bags that will satisfy a variety of needs: There are versions to keep your items colder for longer, ones to tote bottles of wine with ease and foldable options for your purse. Some have cute designs, some are perfect for your trunk and all are sturdy and will last for a long time. Find your favorite one and take an easy step in becoming a little more eco-friendly.
If you're always forgetting to bring your bags on those larger grocery runs, you'll need BagPodz, which comes in a set of five or 10 and fold up into one convenient pouch. Made from rip-stop nylon, each bag holds up to 50 pounds and is completely water-repellent. The pouch also has a convenient carrying clip to attach to whatever you need it to.
These bags have a reinforced bottom which makes them the perfect choice for anyone who likes to keep their groceries secure in their trunk without having to worry about things falling over. They feature shorter side handles and longer handles so you can carry them with ease. Best of all, the walls are made with recycled cardboard so this has a sturdier structure than other models.
The mesh construction of this convenient, fashionable bag make it useful for a few reasons: it can stretch to fit anything from produce to larger boxes, and it can be used to carry books or other necessities when you're running a variety of errands. Buy it in a few different colors.
Machine-wash and line-dry this popular rip-stop nylon bag from Baggu. It’s not only adorable; it fits up to 50 pounds of goods. It’s easy to wear over one shoulder, and you can keep this in your purse for any impromptu errands. Of course, the variety of fun patterns to choose from is the best part about Baggu bags.
These sturdy, zippered bags are especially eco-friendly — they're made from recycled plastic bottles — and are strong enough to carry heavier grocery items like milk or soda bottles. The aluminum inside will help keep your hot food or cold drinks at the right temperature. You can even use these as a foldable cooler option. Choose from a variety of colors and sizes, too.
No need for plastic bags to carry your produce: Go eco-friendly while you're shopping as well as when you carry your groceries out. Washable and durable mesh bags in three sizes are just right for trips to the market when you need to carry a bunch of bananas or several ears of corn. As a bonus, you can wash your fruits and veggies while they're still in the bag, then place the bags directly into the fridge.
These cute bags fold up into fun shapes: a London phone booth and the Eiffel Tower. You'll never forget them anywhere — just stick them into your glove compartment or in your purse. One reviewer writes these are "pretty and lightweight."
Why pick up a shopping basket at the entrance to the grocery store when you can bring your own? You'll avoid plastic bags and germs. This adorable and collapsible market basket has three inside pockets for things like your keys and cell phone — then just carry your groceries right out of the store. A rugged aluminum frame and a rubber handle make this lightweight basket just right for picnics too.
This sturdy and stylish bag is roomy and durable — the burlap appearance would be great for the farmers' market. The inside is lined with a plastic coating to keep any spills from leaking through the bag (yuck). Long handles make this tote easy to carry over your shoulder as you browse the stands for fresh produce.
How cute are these reusable nylon grocery bags donning pink flamingos, flowering cacti, or puppy paws and dog bones from BeeGreen? These stylish and eco-friendly no-rip totes are extra-large — they can hold two to three plastic bags' worth of groceries. Pop these in the washer every so often, then fold them up to conveniently store them in a purse or car.
Inspired by San Francisco's 2007 plastic bag ban, Lauren DiCioccio created this reusable, machine-washable bag. keeping the same cheerful “thank you” messages on each bag but using recycled taffeta instead of plastic. The bags measure 20 inches by 13 inches, and they are all made in the U.S.
If you want to tote as few bags as possible, this multi-pocket market tote maximizes space with divided compartments for things like milk cartons, eggs, wine, flowers and more. Plus, it's super stylish and would work well as a farmers' market tote. For best results, the brand recommends spraying on a protectant such as Scotchguard before its first use.
