When we go shopping for groceries or vegetables, we often have two choices in bags - paper or plastic. If given a choice, you might even go with the paper option as you feel it is better for the environment. You make a decision based on your good conscience. However, there is something that you can do that beats either of the two choices - carry your own reusable shopping bag.
Nowadays, Indians have started becoming a little aware of their actions and their consequences on the environment. Hence, reusable shopping bags are being used more often than ever before. They might cost a little more than any other shopping bag, but the benefits are all worth it. You can feel proud of carrying one such bag with you for groceries, veggie shopping, or any other errand you might have to run.
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This buying guide will assist you in choosing the perfect kind of reusable bag that suits your needs. You might need it for groceries, vegetable shopping, office use, etc. No matter what your needs are, this article will guide you accordingly.
There are many materials, such as jute, cotton, hemp, etc., used to make reusable bags. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Also, what you wish to use it for will decide the right bag for you. Read about the various materials to make your purchase an efficient one.
Cotton bags are the most widely available reusable bags. They are also one of the most eco-friendly bags that exist. Reusable bags made of cotton are light and fashionable. These are also the most common bags that stores charge you for. Having a few of these eco-friendly accessories can save the environment and also your expenditure. Cotton bags are easily washable but also retain the most moisture.
Hemp is a super-absorbent cloth material, which is also very durable. It is the same material as sacks. Those sacks are used to transport sand, grains, vegetables, etc., in high quantities. This shows the strength of these bags. Also, being highly absorbent, any leakage in your grocery bag would not lead to a total disaster.
These bags also have high tensile strength. So, even if you carry heavy objects in them, they will stretch to accommodate for it. Hemp is also combined with cotton or silk to make more stylish shopping bags. The only downside to these bags is that they are heavier than cotton bags and are not as easy to wash.
Jute is tear-proof and is way stronger than paper or plastic, enabling you to carry much more weight than other alternatives. Jute bags have gained popularity in India in the past few years, not only as grocery or veggie bags but also as office bags. People carry their lunch boxes in such bags for ease of carrying and because of its insulation properties.
They also come in various designs and shapes, which also gives them the aesthetic appeal of carrying them. Jute is also 100% compostable, which means that bags made of jute will completely degrade into the soil, without harming the mother Earth.
Eco bags that can be folded are a blessing. They can fold so small that they almost look like a big keychain. You must have experienced yourself at a store without a reusable carry bag because either you forgot to carry it with you or you need to buy something on your way home from the office.
Put a few of these foldable carry bags in the dashboard or glove compartment of your car or two-wheeler to never find yourself without a reusable bag ever.
In case you walk to your market for all the shopping that you do, you should ideally buy lightweight and foldable bags; polyester bags or cotton bags would be ideal in such a situation. Jute or hemp bags can hurt your grip if you have to hold them for a long time. The bags that can be turned into a pouch would be an amazing buy.
If you travel on any vehicle, you can go with pretty much any bag listed below. A large would be highly recommended, though, if you do all your shopping using your car. Another important thing to take into account is the number of bags your household requires. This would depend on the number of family members and the amount of shopping you usually do.
This reusable bag by Shalimar is made of 100% virgin fabric, which makes it completely recyclable and eco-friendly. Made from jute, it is also biodegradable. In addition to using this bag for vegetables and groceries, it can also be used for carrying lunch boxes to the office.
Its material makes it really sturdy and durable. It can easily be folded for ease of storage. The zipper gives your shopping items extra protection. This material is also washable without any risk of harming the fabric.
Foldable wheels and plenty of pockets make this bag a unique one. You can simply carry it on your shoulder for light shopping, or you may unfold the wheels at the bottom to easily take it across the aisles at a supermarket.
This bag's maximum capacity is 21 litres, which is ample for your monthly grocery shopping or weekly vegetable shopping. Made from highly durable oxford cloth, this bag will stay with you for as long as you want. This beautiful bag is also a great birthday or mother's day gift.
These small discs open up to become durable, medium-sized bags, ideal for all your shopping trips. It can easily withstand loads up to 15 kilograms. At the mentioned price, you will get three such disc bags of different colours.
With these bags, you are highly unlikely to ever forget your reusable bag. Keep a couple of those in your car's dashboard. These bags are super light, with each of them weighing 90g. The polyester material is the reason for the lightweight and high durability.
This product by Beddify has 12 cotton reusable shopping bags (4 large, 4 medium, and 4 small). These bags are not only great for shopping but are also ideal for storing your fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator. The cotton fabric lets your veggies and fruits fresh for a longer time.
These bags are also quite sturdy. Although they are not as strong as a polyester or jute bag, a large cotton bag can hold 8-10 kilograms of load. These bags have drawstrings to seal them, an ideal closure type for storing your fresh vegetables.
For shopping, tote bags are quite popular, especially among women. This set of 2 bags by Elios are beautifully designed with a large capacity. So, they are not just practical but are also trendy. Each of these bags can hold up to 18 kilograms of load. They can also be folded, as shown.
These bags, made from tear-resistant and waterproof polyester material, are very light, and their long handles make it easier to carry your groceries on your shoulder. You can wash these tote bags without worrying about any damage.
This bag is a little unusual as it has a really wide base. This base helps in carrying extremely heavyweight with relative ease. This jhola bag is ideal for vegetable shopping as your items won't push together with one another, keeping them safe.
The nylon material makes it waterproof and durable. This bag can stay with you for life as it won't rip or tear easily. Being easy to wash, you can even put it in your washing machine. Its handles are really strong, specially designed to hold heavy loads.
HaaVee has designed this durable bag with aesthetics in mind. This bag looks really cute and classy. It is small in size, and apart from carrying it for buying a few small things, you can also use it to carry your lunch box to the office.
It is made of 100% eco-friendly and biodegradable material, which is also very strong. The canvas fabric can be harmed if you give it a proper wash, but using a damp cloth to remove spots on it works effectively.
This cotton tote bag from Ikea is heavy-duty as it can hold up to 50 kilograms of load. It can fold flat and can be folded, making it easier to store. It is made of organic cotton and also has high tensile strength.
This huge bag is also washable. Ideally, you should wash it with your hands instead of a washing machine. The handles of this bag are also made keeping in mind the load it has to bear. They are very strong and comfortable to grip.
This amazing bag has six compartments so that your vegetables, fruits, and groceries do not mess up with each other. It is a durable bag with a large base, which enables you to keep the bag on the floor and easily put items in it.
The stitches on the handles have been carefully done to give this bag more strength. You can easily carry 18-20 kilograms of load in this bag. It is easily washable and maintains its strength for years. It is an ideal bag for shopping for distinct items at once.
This multipurpose bag by Double R Bags is a wonderful product. It can be used for shopping, storing clothes, organising your closet, etc. The strong handles enable you to pick heavy loads in this bag and give you a comfortable grip.
The wide base makes it convenient for you to shop at mandis. You can easily place items in it without worrying about them collapsing. Other advantages include the ease of carrying it on a two-wheeler and the sturdy material that gives it a long life.
Check out this video to learn in detail about making reusable shopping bags. The video will also talk about;
1. The type of fabric to use
2. The size you would need
3. The way to sew it
More easy things you can try to stop the plastic-effect is by going for products like a water bottle or food containers so that you can avoid buying them every-time.
Being eco-friendly is no more a trend, it is a necessity. The future of our planet depends on our actions of today. Mass movements are happening in some areas of the world, but you must not hope for someone else to magically eradicate the environmental problem. It is you who has to take individual responsibility for making sure that you are reducing your carbon footprint on this earth every year.
Author: Rudraveer
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