Candid Copious Circular
{edition 6}
We know how bad plastic bags are for our environment. Many people were actively making the change to reusable or tote bags before governments started banning single-use plastic bags, this has led to a dramatic overproduction of the tote bag. Fast fashion to high fashion and every company in between has its version of the tote bag, making it the must-have "marketing" item for brands.
How many tote bags are too many?
In 2018, shoppers in the US bought 19.6 billion tote bags, this is up from 2015 when they bought 16.5 billion, making the tote bag the most popular type of bag, accounting for 60% of all bags purchased.
With any eco-conscious choice, it is only eco-conscious if we are not over-consuming, and currently, the tote bag has been substituted for the plastic bag. Some information to keep in mind when it comes to tote bags are:
In 2018, shoppers in the US bought 19.6 billion tote bags, this is up from 2015 when they bought 16.5 billion, making the tote bag the most popular type of bag, accounting for 60% of all bags purchased.
With any eco-conscious choice, it is only eco-conscious if we are not over-consuming, and currently, the tote bag has been substituted for the plastic bag. Some information to keep in mind when it comes to tote bags are:
1. Choose a tote bag you love and know you will use over and over again
2. Get in the habit of actually using it. If you forget it, go back for it
3. Invest in functional tote bags. Flat-bottom bags with a plastic coating are perfect for groceries, and packing to go to the cottage. They are easy to keep clean and are stronger, {we have had ours for 7 years}. Use your cute cotton tote bag for grabbing post office parcels or other errands {I love my denim carryall because it's big enough for these smaller errand runs}
4. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE. Try and say NO to tote bags "offered" at a cheap price at checkouts. Bags from Walmart, or big grocery stores are just as bad as plastic bags. They are poorly designed, corporations make money off them & they are polyester coated in plastic, making them more harmful to our environment than the plastic alternative. I often just take my cart out to my car rather than paying for this damaging alternative.
2. Get in the habit of actually using it. If you forget it, go back for it
3. Invest in functional tote bags. Flat-bottom bags with a plastic coating are perfect for groceries, and packing to go to the cottage. They are easy to keep clean and are stronger, {we have had ours for 7 years}. Use your cute cotton tote bag for grabbing post office parcels or other errands {I love my denim carryall because it's big enough for these smaller errand runs}
4. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE. Try and say NO to tote bags "offered" at a cheap price at checkouts. Bags from Walmart, or big grocery stores are just as bad as plastic bags. They are poorly designed, corporations make money off them & they are polyester coated in plastic, making them more harmful to our environment than the plastic alternative. I often just take my cart out to my car rather than paying for this damaging alternative.
Tote bags are not all made equally. Some handles are too short, bags are not deep enough, or they are just sewn shoddy, making these bags clutter in our home, or at worst garbage.
Being a conscious consumer helps us make the decision of where and when to buy tote bags. Because ultimately how many tote bags do we really need in our lives?
Being a conscious consumer helps us make the decision of where and when to buy tote bags. Because ultimately how many tote bags do we really need in our lives?
A moment to plug myself
When I was designing the Denim Carryall, it really was just for me. I specifically designed it to hold my laptop and lunch to take back and forth to the studio each day. Using 80% recycled fabric, denim for the outside, and sheets on the inside, I felt confident it was a useful bag, but until you test it,
you can't know for sure.
After using this bag for 3+ years I can tell you, I use it ALL the time. Literally every day as my work bag, but also to grab a parcel at the post office, or when I'm off to the library for a new book, or for grabbing those few groceries I forgot. It is a purse and tote bag all-in-one and if you are looking to be more functional or eco-conscious this could be the perfect product for you.
you can't know for sure.
After using this bag for 3+ years I can tell you, I use it ALL the time. Literally every day as my work bag, but also to grab a parcel at the post office, or when I'm off to the library for a new book, or for grabbing those few groceries I forgot. It is a purse and tote bag all-in-one and if you are looking to be more functional or eco-conscious this could be the perfect product for you.
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