Reusable shopping bags are a great way to cut down on your annual plastic bag usage, of which over 4.7 billion go to landfill just from Australia every year. They can also look stylish, working as an attractive, useful accessory to keep in your car or bag for whenever you need them.
To help you purchase a great reusable shopping bag that is sturdy, the right size and great to look at, we have listed what we consider to be the best 5 reusable shopping bags around. We’ve also included a handy buyers guide to help you make the best selection for your needs.
1. Yohoo Reusable Environmental Grocery Tote Bags (Top Pick)
The Yohoo tote is a cute, compact ripstop nylon reusable bag perfectly designed for you to store in a car or bag in a nifty little pouch. It has an attractive design, so you’ve no need to sacrifice style whilst you’re being eco-friendly, and it is made from lightweight nylon so it won’t drag you down either.
Customers who appreciate practicality in an accessory will love that the bag is both waterproof and easy to clean.
What We Like:
- Folds away in a pouch
- Waterproof
- Easy to clean
- Hardwearing and durable
What We Don’t Like:
- Non expandable shape
- Non recyclable once it is worn beyond use
2. Organic Cotton String Reusable Shopping Bag
This stunning cotton string shopping bag is the perfect eco-friendly accessory for your next shopping trip.
The bag is made from organic cotton and is ideal for larger shopping trips to the grocery store as it expands to meet the size of objects you put in it, whilst remaining lightweight and compact for transport in the meantime.
Consumers who want to ensure complete planet-friendly purchases only will appreciate that the bag production is also made in accordance with standards that protect responsibly managed forests. Even more impressively, it uses 100% compostable fabric, so you won’t be contributing to landfill once the bag has had its day.
What We Like:
- 100% compostable
- Expandable shape
- Organic
- Ethically produced
What We Don’t Like:
- Non waterproof
- Does not come with storage pouc
3. Summer & West Eco-Friendly Reusable Shopping Bag Set
Ideal for the beginner eco-conscious consumer, the Sumer & West set makes it easy to make a quick switch from plastic to reusable bags. You get a large, neutral tone farmers market produce bag plus 5 cotton mesh bags with handy drawstrings to keep the content secure.
Customers will love that the farmers market bag also features deep pockets inside for easy produce and food separation, and is made from extremely strong canvas which is designed to last.
What We Like:
- Strong
- Pocket separators inside main bag
- Neutral and stylish design
- Mesh bags to protect produce
What We Don’t Like:
- Large bag is not compact
- Not waterproof
4. Westford Mill Jute Mini Tote Reusable Shopping Bag
If you’re looking for a well made jute bag to use instead of plastic bags, you might want to consider their Westford Mill Jute Mini Tote bag. It is neutral in design so that it fits in easily with any outfit when used on a shopping trip. It can be folded or rolled to fit inside a handbag or inside a car boot for whenever you need to use it.
Customers will love that the handles are cushioned for comfort, so no matter how much you have to carry, your hands won’t pay the price.
What We Like:
- Cushioned handles
- Sturdy
- Neutral in design
- Can be rolled or folded easily
What We Don’t Like:
- Not waterproof
5. Green Essentials Organic Cotton Canvas Reusable Shopping Bag
This beautiful undyed canvas shopping bag from Green Essentials is totally neutral in design and is made with reinforced stitching, wide shoulder straps and high-quality organic cotton. The bag is particularly well suited to making shopping trips on foot easier, although it works just as well for car trips too.
Customers who love extra-organisation when shopping will love the six stitched areas inside this tote bag which help to separate items like produce and bottles. Should anything come awry during use and make a mess, the bag is totally machine washable for convenient cleaning and easy care.
What We Like:
- Compartmentalised inside
- Organic, undyed, non-toxic
- Durable
- Comfortable shoulder strap
What We Don’t Like:
- Does not come with a storage pouch
- Not waterproof
Reusable Shopping Bag Buyers Guide
As you look further into buying a reusable shopping bag to reduce your plastic bag use, you might feel a little overwhelmed with all the different choices you have. Should the item be plastic free? Does it need to be organic canvas? What size do you need?
To help you make the best choice when it comes to buying a reusable shopping bag, take a look at our top tips:
What Type Of Shopping Is It For?
If you need a bag for your main food shop, then realistically you want the biggest and strongest bags to keep in your car. Something like a reinforced canvas bag is perfect for this purpose.
If the bag is to ensure you have something to put things in if you buy anything whilst you are out, it should be compact and lightweight as not to weigh your main bag down.
RELATED: The Best Bento Lunch Box
Does It Need To Be Organic & Biodegradable?
It would be great if the bag can be composted when it eventually stops being usable. However, if you buy a great quality bag that is designed to last, it will save you having to use hundreds or even thousands of plastic bags over time. Some reusable bags are usable for life. In an ideal world, the more organic and compostable the bag, the better but, you’re still doing a lot of good by buying any reusable bag in the first place.
Choose Quality Over Style
It is nice to have a beautiful reusable bag but it isn’t essential. A neutral canvas bag will go with most things and is suitable for anybody of any taste to use. However, if the bag is for a gift you may want to think about getting a patterned recycled plastic design as they make more of an eye-catching present.
True Ethics
When it comes to a conscious purchase like a reusable bag, it is important to ensure that it is made with true ethics. Nobody wants to buy a bag thinking they are helping the environment only to find that it is in fact, harming it. Look for credentials in the small print that let you know the materials used to make it are sustainable, responsibly grown or sourced, and the people that made it are treated fairly. If you’re conscious enough to buy an ethical bag, the chances are you want the eco-credentials of the bag to stack up.
Hopefully the tips above have helped you feel a little more informed when it comes to buying your new reusable shopping bag. Remember, the fact you’re choosing a reusable bag instead of a plastic bag is a great thing. It is just important to ensure it is useful to you, so that you don’t end up buying plastics again in the future.
With any luck, you’ll end up with a reusable bag that is strong, handy and attractive, that lasts you for many years to come.
