"Do you want paper or plastic?" the grocery store clerk asks customers. How about "Neither?"
Grocery shoppers can become environmentalists by packing food items and other supermarket purchases in reusable grocery tote bags.
Plastic grocery bags require petroleum for production. and they may be one of the worst landfill-fillers. The National Geographic Society estimates consumers use between 500 million and a trillion plastic grocery bags annually.
Brown-paper grocery bags are produced from wood pulp, of course. How many trees might be destroyed annually to produce basic grocery bags?
Use of either type of bag has significant environmental impact. Why not try something new to help the earth? This is precisely why many shoppers have begun toting their own bags to the grocery store.
Store-Bought Bags Abound
Most big-name stores offer canvas or other fabric tote bags for sale. Of course, ready-made bags can be pricey, and they usually sport manufacturers' or grocery stores' logos. As a consumer, how do you feel about paying for a store-bought grocery tote bag, simply to advertise a retailer? What if you shop at multiple grocery stores? Do you want to use a WalMart bag at Piggly-Wiggly? How about a Jewel Foods bag at Kroger's?
What's more, you can save real dollars by stitching up your own reusable grocery tote bags. It's sew simple. Just follow these easy, step-by-step instructions, and you will shop in environmentally friendly style in no time!
Finished size:
Approximately 16" x 18"
(with 18" handles)
Here's what you will need to construct your reusable grocery tote bag:
1/2 yard sturdy woven (See suggested fabrics, below.)
1/2 yard lining fabric
2 yards heavy webbing or belting (for handle)
Ruler
Chalk or pencil
Sewing notions (pins, thread, etc.)
Here's how to create your reusable grocery tote bag:
First, lay out your fabrics. Unless you have chosen extremely thick materials, you will be able to cut out both layers (the outside and lining) at once.
Most woven fabrics are 44"/45" wide. Trim your fabrics to create 18" by 44" rectangles from both the outside and lining for your reusable grocery tote bag.
Grocery shoppers can become environmentalists by packing food items and other supermarket purchases in reusable grocery tote bags.
Plastic grocery bags require petroleum for production. and they may be one of the worst landfill-fillers. The National Geographic Society estimates consumers use between 500 million and a trillion plastic grocery bags annually.
Brown-paper grocery bags are produced from wood pulp, of course. How many trees might be destroyed annually to produce basic grocery bags?
Use of either type of bag has significant environmental impact. Why not try something new to help the earth? This is precisely why many shoppers have begun toting their own bags to the grocery store.
Store-Bought Bags Abound
Most big-name stores offer canvas or other fabric tote bags for sale. Of course, ready-made bags can be pricey, and they usually sport manufacturers' or grocery stores' logos. As a consumer, how do you feel about paying for a store-bought grocery tote bag, simply to advertise a retailer? What if you shop at multiple grocery stores? Do you want to use a WalMart bag at Piggly-Wiggly? How about a Jewel Foods bag at Kroger's?
What's more, you can save real dollars by stitching up your own reusable grocery tote bags. It's sew simple. Just follow these easy, step-by-step instructions, and you will shop in environmentally friendly style in no time!
Finished size:
Approximately 16" x 18"
(with 18" handles)
Here's what you will need to construct your reusable grocery tote bag:
1/2 yard sturdy woven (See suggested fabrics, below.)
1/2 yard lining fabric
2 yards heavy webbing or belting (for handle)
Ruler
Chalk or pencil
Sewing notions (pins, thread, etc.)
Here's how to create your reusable grocery tote bag:
First, lay out your fabrics. Unless you have chosen extremely thick materials, you will be able to cut out both layers (the outside and lining) at once.
Most woven fabrics are 44"/45" wide. Trim your fabrics to create 18" by 44" rectangles from both the outside and lining for your reusable grocery tote bag.
Comments
FANTASTIC LINDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO GREEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AC somehow deleted the picture I posted with this one. here it is: If you want the visual, it is posted at PRACTICALLY AT HOME (my blog) here: http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2008/05/grocery-bag-bonus.html
jackie
(Guest)
(Guest)
05/16/2008
I enjoy the ideas from AC HOwever, I need PICTURES!!!!!
Check with your local grocery stores, too... Our local store also gives a $0.05 discount on our purchase for each bag we reuse. It isn't much, but they don't have to do it. It is certainly a nice way to encourage shoppers to reuse bags.
super tips!...our store dropped their prices from $1.25 to $.99 a bag..but we go to conventions sometimes and i just pick up a lot of free bags..lol!
Very good instructions. I think we all should seriously consider this option. We could keep several in the car to have one if we make a quick stop at the grocery on the way home from work.
I can't sew anymore because of my bad eyesight. Luckily, however, my local store sells these for $.70 each. I'm stocking up on a few at a time.
Wonderful idea! Excellent article Linda!!!!
Here's something weird. I constructed a diagram (with measurements and layout instructions) for this reusable grocery tote bag sewing project. I uploaded the diagram to AC, but AC seems to have deleted the artwork. If you want the visual, it is posted at PRACTICALLY AT HOME (my blog) here: http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2008/05/grocery-bag-bonus.html
Excellent instructions, and a great idea. I've been making my own tote bags for years! They really come in handy, and last much longer than store-bought bags.
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