My Reusable Bag Decision
May 19, 2008 by Jennifer
I know you’re all dying to hear – well, not so much. Still, I thought I’d follow up after posting my “I need new bags” post. I looked into everyone’s suggestions, except the Target bags, since one I don’t like red, and two I’m on an ongoing Target strike.
I actually still wanted the Mikado Pouch set from Envirosax for visuals, but didn’t like that they didn’t have the flat bottom, also they’re sold out everywhere on the planet. Then I wanted the organic bags Peggy suggested, but they were also sold out.
So I went with a newer style bag from reusable bags; the ACME Bags – Lightweight Recycled Cotton Tote with Dual Handles. I was kind of worried because they’re lighter weight than the original organic cotton ones I wanted, and don’t sit up quite the same, but after reading some reviews I decided that the pros outweighed the cons.
Pros:
- Flat bottom
- Choice of colors – I got brown, because our light colored bags get dirty and dingy and these won’t look dirty!
- Made with recycled cotton.
- Fair Trade
- Long & short handles
Hopefully these work out. I’m thinking from the reviews that they will. I really like the duel handle deal. Also, I like the fact that they’re recycled. I also got a load of small and large produce bags, and using one of the discount codes I posted about here, I got a free extra bag as well.
I’ll post a full review after I get them and use them. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions 
[image via reusable bags]
I bought some bags from ALDI. They are huge, have a flat bottom, and only cost me 2.50. We love them because they can easily hold three ‘normal’ bags worth of groceries! They have black, cream, and green so far.
I don’t know ALDI? I assume it’s a local grocery store though. Here we have some local stores that carry bags for good prices, but they’re all that poly stuff, and I need machine washable. You can wipe the grocery store ones around here, but not toss them in the wash. That’s cool your bags hold so much.
Jennifer,
I have three of the organic bags and one like you got! It does have a flat bottom, but it doesn’t stand up.
Anyway, I like it better than the other bags I have. I should have ordered more.
Jennifer, ALDI is a grocery store where you bag your own groceries and you have to buy bags if you don’t take your own.
@Peggy the not standing up issue was a big con for me, but overall I decided that plastic bags don’t stand up and checkers deal, so they can deal with this too. Honestly, I really like the idea of plain brown bags, I hadn’t seen them before, and it seems like such a perfect color for dingy carts and stuff. Plus the double handles mean that Cedar can carry them easily too.
I’m not sure what these are made of, I’ll go look now. —–
They don’t have a tag that says.
Our local grocery store Meijer sells bags that are this same design. They are only .99 so I’m sure they are a different material. I do like the design though. They won’t stand up if nothing is in them, but usually once one or two things are in, they stand up well. I love the flat bottom though. I think you will like these!
I opted for the RuMe bags because they’re pretty and they stand up and hold 50 pounds each, and I just love them. I have the bright colorful set (http://www.brightandbold.com/rubanewyopa.html) but they also come in black and silver style as well. I’ve used mine for a few weeks now and wouldn’t go back to flimsy bags anymore. I love the waterproof nature of them with wet produce and frozen goods, so cloth bags didn’t fit my needs as well, although I do have the Bamboo Vines organic tote from Envirosax that I love for the library and work where I don’t need to worry about moisture.