Reusable Shopping Bags: How do you like them?

Reusable Grocery Bag by me - a reusable grocery bag I made using canvas fabric.
United States
June 16, 2008 1:03am CST
I've made some reusable shopping bags, which are actually made to be like the Target plastic shopping bags instead of the standard tote fashion. I've used them for over a month now and love them, you can get 2-4 plastic bags worth of groceries or items into just one of these bags because they are so sturdy. I'm going to make some to sell on my Etsy shop but want to change them up a bit so that they really serve everyone's needs. So my question is, what do you like in a reusable shopping bag? Seperate compartments or dividers in some bags so glasses won't clink around? Pockets? Bags for cold items? Bags for produce? Big bags? Little bags? Flat bottom bags? Padded straps? Color preferences? What are your needs when it comes to using a reusable bag? Thanks!
4 people like this
12 responses
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
16 Jun 08
i like reusable shopping bags that i can use as a daily bag. i've gotten quite a few of them but they are just lying around at home. most of the time i just use my bag as my grocery bag. i don't plan my grocery shopping so most of the time i don't have a shopping bag handy. i just dump everything into the bag i'm carrying. it's be good to have a shopping bag that doubles as a daily bag. or maybe one that can be folder into a small pouch that makes carrying it around easier. cheers.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jun 08
Thanks for the helpful response, it's great to hear what people need in their bags. When using as a daily bag would something like a place to hang keys and somewhere to keep cards/cash work? Or do you need more space to carry items aside from shopping items?
1 person likes this
• Singapore
16 Jun 08
yup separate compartments for things is great. things like durability also plays a part. another concern would be how it looks. it shouldn't look like a grocery bag if i'm carrying it for work as well. maybe you can consider a padded waterproof compartment which can be used for both laptops and frozen food. i would love to have a bag like this. cheers ;D
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jun 08
Thanks so much! That really helps. I get the idea of something that works for work and shopping, I hadn't thought of that. The main bags I have and am designing look like grocery bags but an additional laptop/work bag is an awesome idea.
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
16 Jun 08
I like the looks of your bags. You are very creative. A big plus to me would be that it would be a dark color, or bright, so it does not show dirt. I would like a pocket to put my keys in, maybe one to put the wallet in. My brother hand painted a canvas bag for me, but I find that once I washed it it raveled. You may want to experiment with different fabrics to suit different people. One of your responders wants to be able to fold it up small, well that means rip stop nylon, probably. Someone else wants to insulate hot and cold, well that means either quilted fabric, or a quilted liner inside of a heavy fabric. You are so smart. I should make some of these. Another thing to be aware of is that some stores will credit you, like my Dillons (Kroger) did this morning. They gave me 5cents off because I brought my own bag. They will credit a nickel per bag. I like the outside pocket on your pictured bag.
• United States
16 Jun 08
Thanks so much! It all started because our satellite got hit by lighting for the 3rd time and we were out tv for 2 weeks, so we starting crafting to pass time, lol. I was thinking of offering my bags in sets, like different size/purpose bags and adding a lanyard type rope made of cloth with a hook in each bag. Then along with the bag a small pocket/purse and key ring, that way no matter which bag in the set you use, you'll have a place to put your keys and cards and somewhere to hook them for safe keeping. That's cool about the discount, we have a Kroger so I'll have to try that. I was wondering if anyone did that because bringing in your own bag saves the store from having to buy as many. Thanks for the tips too!
1 person likes this
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
20 Jun 08
I do like having a bag that is insulated for cold items and I would like to have one with divided pockets. I would probably use it more than I do the ones that I have. They have to have a flat bottom too and I think that fashion colors are important too.
• United States
20 Jun 08
I think insulated bags are a must have, great for when u buy frozen items in the summer. I agree that fashion colors are important, I want a bag that looks good.
• Hong Kong
16 Jun 08
I love those! Indeed, I have a couple left from my shopping trip with my clothing store. It's gray in color and it could contain a lot of stuff, it's made of cloth and it's more sustainable. Indeed, it's more presentable too! I would love to have a black and red one though.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jun 08
Black and red are my fave colors! Yes the bags are so much more sustainable and it does look a lot better. I hate using the clear plastic bags when you have to go get your girly products.
@myliezl0903 (2726)
• Philippines
16 Jun 08
aside from the fact that reusable bag are very useful now because it will eliminate the use of plastic that are harmful not just for our health but for our planet.,and a lot of supermarket or groceries store are doing much of campaign bout to use or brigh our own shopping bags when going to a mall or something.,Ü have a nice day ahead! see you around!
• United States
16 Jun 08
I think they are great.We sell them where I work at for only a $1 at walgreens.
• United States
25 Jun 08
Maybe something in neon colors or fun colors would be nice. But maybe do something where a person could pick a design that you put on it. That way you don't have to make it until it's requested. I would love to see some country inspired ones with a folk art or calico cat. I'm a big cat person. That would have appeal for other cat people. Definitely a divider so that glass doesn't bump into other things. Flat bottom bags would be nice. Or, at least a little thing you could put into the bottom to turn the regular soft bag into a flat bottom bag. I'm sure whatever you come up with will be good for your customers. Just tell them all the parts about how many groceries that it holds. And how you loved using it. Personal testimonials really work when selling stuff online. Sort of, I used it and loved it! I say the same thing about my mineral makeup all the time. I love that stuff. It's true, so I can say it! Don't be afraid to brag if you are good at something. Be well. Best of luck with your job hunt and online business.
• United States
25 Jun 08
Thanks! I came up with a ton of designs and things. I tried to incorporate as much as I could into them, like a band to hold soda bottles/glass bottles in place, adjustable dividers, flat bottom, place for keys, removable card pouch, pockets, padded handles and then different fabrics. Like man bags, kid bags, bag sets, luxury fabric bags, etc. Then I came up with some lunch kits too and napkins and thinks like sandwich wrappers and snack baggies. It's so much fun once you get going. I have a huge 18 gallon tub filled with fabric ready to go. I love the cat idea, thanks! I'd love to get some felt to add some kitties to the bags with, for a 3-d fun look. It's going to be such a fun process, can't wait to get started. And if they don't sell, I know I can use them and I can also give them as gifts. We've already given one away as a gift and she loved it.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
17 Jun 08
that's really cool... i also like resuable bags like the one coles or safeway have here in australia... they are very handy and you can put many stuffs inside and they won't break as they are really strong... it is much better than plastic bags and save the environment too... take care and have a nice day...
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
16 Jun 08
I use reusable grocery bags. I got the Safeway one, the Superstore Black ones, and I bought some from Value Village, some old cloth bags and I got a gift bag when we went on our Alaskan Cruise. I have them ranging from big to small, and everytime we go grocery shopping, we take them along with us. It comes in handy since we shop at Superstore and we have to pay for plastic bags. The only thing is that we run out of bags for groceries so I have to spend money on other stuff to get some.
• United States
16 Jun 08
Your ideas are awesome! I love a very heavy bag in the standard tote form, myself, but I have one of the 't-shirt bag' style ones that I use. I think offering bags that have dividers for glass and a small pockets are terrific ideas. I have one bag that has a small pouch where I put small amounts of fruit, and that comes in very handy.
@thaMARKER (2503)
• Philippines
16 Jun 08
i have lots of shopping bags in my closet now and i'm keeping them for my garbage or for some stuff i need it for. there's shopping bags i have that's only good for garbage and i have bags that you cxan carry anywhere and it looks cute. it doesn't really needs to be in a good color or my favorite color but at least it's clean.
• Philippines
16 Jun 08
Shopping bags are cool, I can imagine everyone carrying the same bag in the shopping centers... and the fact that it can help to lessen garbage. Mother will be preserved... i dont want customize shopping bags...Every shopping centers have their own trade mark shopping bags..isn;t it great?
• United States
17 Jun 08
i really love the new ones because the plastic ones theyd double wrap um and then waht are u suppost do with them u have like 300 bags and ur just suppst to throw them away