Comments on: Whole Foods Introduces Us to This Thing Called the Paper Bag

By: Ann W

Ann W — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:09:31 +0000

Paper bags make great kites for kids. The big grocery bag kites need a lot of wind, while the lunch bag size fly in a gentle breeze. I’ve made paper bag kites for my kids when we’ve forgotten our regular ones.

By: Dana

Dana — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:35:44 +0000

I have a set of Envirosax. They are ridiculously sturdy, lightweight, roll up super small, and are pretty too! I always get compliments on them…and as an added bonus, the handles fit over the existing plastic bag holder at the end of the checkout…so they are easy to load!

http://www.delight.com/Envirosax-Delightfully-Pretty-Reusable-Grocery-Bags

By: Snowpaws

Snowpaws — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:26:52 +0000

I’m a huge fan of the Kiva bags. They zip up into a tiny form factor and can hold more than a normal plastic bag. I keep one in my car for unplanned shopping trips, and it easily fits in my purse (or clips to my beltloop if I’m traveling light).

http://www.amazon.com/Kiva-Key-Chain-Convertible-Tote/dp/B000BNDFLC

By: Audrey

Audrey — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 04:02:51 +0000

If you’re looking for reusable bags…Target has some nifty ones that fold up to a fairly small size and snap. They’re big, durable, have a cute little tree with birds…and it’s only $1.50.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:40:16 +0000

I like the paper bags and have always found many uses for them! Here are some things I do with them:

* Cut them to computer paper size and use them as craft paper (for printing labels for crafts, etc.).
* Empty small contents of garbage to take out to the garbage bin outdoors.
* Cut them open and using them for wrapping paper. Tie with jute string.
* Open them and give them to pets. Rabbits and cats especially love them. Just please, pull one end of each handle loose from the bag . . . my cat found this out the hard way!

By: Monica

Monica — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:36:03 +0000

When you could choose between paper and plastic we used to choose paper and use them as our trash liners in the garbage can. They decompose quicker.

They are also recyclable. That’s nice.

You could knit a shopping bag out of cotton or bamboo yarn.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search?query=shopping+bag&s=

By: ladypeter

ladypeter — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:56:07 +0000

We use paper shopping bags as kitchen recycling containers.

By: Vaire

Vaire — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:53:10 +0000

When my previous cloth grocery bag gave up the ghost this year I did some research and found the solution — furoshiki cloth.

I couldn’t find any here in Stockholm, but I bought a thin tight weave cotton square scarf (105×105cm) and it’s perfect. Mine is in my purse and if I go shopping it fits all my purchases that I can carry.

Another reason why I chose it was that I could alter the shape of the bag if I wanted to, just by tying the knots differently.

By: Dorothee

Dorothee — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:19:03 +0000

Free plastic bags were banned from supermarkets here in Germany more than 20 years ago (and there never were people who packed your groceries for you). You can still buy plastic bags at supermarkets, but by now pretty much everyone is used to bringing their own bags or baskets or whatever when they go shopping. I always put a cotton or canvas bag folded up in my handbag, just in case I go shopping.

By: Seanna Lea

Seanna Lea — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:05:00 +0000

There are a lot of things that people can use paper bags for. My favorites were always covering my textbooks or for a cooling rack for cookies (mmm…. cookies).

There was the hemp grocery back in Knitty a few months ago. I’d be tempted to make that for my Whole Foods shopping needs.