go a little greener
Bid farewell to plastic, it's the law: Reusable (and washable) market bags thatpop with style
Austinites will overhaul their consumer lifestyles come year's end. Earlier this month, Austin City Council passed a landmark bill that will ban single-use plastic bags by March 2013. With only one year between the bill's announcement and implementation, the city will dump major money into educating its residents on the major change — an estimated $2 million has been set aside for the effort.
"I'm looking at fifty percent of that cost being in distributing reusable bags in the city for socioeconomic parts around the city. So we're talking about a media campaign, a bag distribution, and a neighborhood outreach campaign," Bob Gedert, director of the city's trash and recycling department, told KXAN.
That means we'll all need to stock up on reusable market bags, just like the olden days. Never ones to turn away a product-roundup, we dug through the offerings and selected modern alternatives to help you wean yourself off the 1's and 2's and into a greener way of life.
But here's the catch that, apparently, people aren't catching: You must wash reusable bags! Often!
Unwashed grocery sacks that have transferred raw meats, vegetables and fruits serve as breeding grounds for relentless bacteria like e. coli and coliform. So while you'll help the planet by reducing plastic, you'll put your health in danger if you don't take heed.
Canvas:
Durable, classic, understated. Crafty designers have hit the ground running, opening Etsy stores full of washable cotton carry-alls.
(1)Zig Kuma Tote; Canvas and soy ink. (2)Studiopatro; Linen market bags with handy pockets. (3)FEED; The purchase of one bag provides countless school meals in impoverished countries. (4) LazyMondays; A cheery chevron design to accompany your tedious to-do list. (5)Emery; A jumbo canvas tote for your larger shopping trips in a variety of prints.
Soft vinyl:
This sturdy fabric will provide you with more options as far as color goes, if expressing personality through accessories is more your style.
(1) + (5)Baggu; This company has a strong hold on the reusable bag business at the moment, offering a variety of punchy shades and patterns. (2)RuMe; Capitalize on The Hunger Games fever and pick the bag to represent your choice character. (3) City Bag Trade; Send old rain jackets to be transformed into multipurpose sacks. (4) Picnica; A bunny that unfolds into a bag is sure to warm your heart in the frozen food aisle.
Have some other good ideas? Leave them in the comments below.