Shopping Bags, Eco-friendly re-usable grocery bags, different types that are available.

Eco-Friendly Shopping Bags.

We all know that the use of plastic carrier bags causes environmental problems, the alternative is to use re-usable shopping bags. If the re-usable bags that we buy to replace the plastic carriers can be eco-friendly too then that has to be even better.

The type of bag you buy to replace using plastic carrier bags will depend on several things; one will be the type of shopping you want to use the bag for. Most people will find having a selection of different re-usable bags available to use for different purposes the most practical solution.

Other factors that you may consider when buying a re-usable shopping bag or tote as well as the obvious one of appearance is the fiber the bag is made from. A re-usable bag needs to be practical as well as meeting your other requirements. If it is to carry fruit and vegetables it needs to be washable. If it is to be used for your weekly shop in the supermarket in needs to be large enough to pack easily, a bottle holding section is handy. Most of all it needs to be the right size but not so large that it is too heavy for you to life when full. Of course all bags need sturdy handles to carry the load you will be putting in them.

You may wish to buy a bag made From an eco-friendly fiber such as hemp or organically produced cotton. You may also wish to purchase a bag that is manufactured by a company that uses fair trade standards in the purchase and production of its products.

Fibers That Are Good for Re-Usable Bags.

Hemp.

Is a fiber that is strong and durable; it can be made into simple functional designs or fashioned into a designer style bag. Hemp is a fiber that comes from the plant this plant is beneficial to the soil it grows in as it has a deep root system that stops the top-soil from being washed away and eroded. The plant that the fiber hemp comes from can be grown with much less chemical intervention in the form of pesticides and fertilizers than cotton. The amount of fibers that can be produced from an area of land is also much higher than the same area would produce if cotton was grown on it.

Organic Cotton.

Organic cotton is grown without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers. This is better for the environment and the people who work in the production of the cotton.

The main down-side is that organic cotton costs more to produce than standard cotton if one thinks only in terms of financial cost. Organic cotton bags are strong and most are easily washable; the cotton fabric can be printed with attractive designs if necessary.

Hemp or jute are more environmentally friendly than cotton fibres. They produces a strong fibre and the crops require less watering and chemicals to grow than cotton. Hemp/jute also produces a higher yield for the area it is grown in than cotton.

• Why Not Make Your Own Re-Usable Shopping Bag.

If you are good at sewing or wish to learn to sew :

A re-usable bag is a good sewing project.

A re-usable shopping bag can be made from a remnant of fabric or even by re-cycling curtain fabric, strong close woven upholstery fabrics work especially well for bags.

A fabric like deck-chair canvas would make a great grocery shopping bag tote but remember the thicker the fabric the harder it is to stitch through the fabric, you may not have a sewing machine that can handle such densely woven fabrics.

Used clothing made in a sturdy fabric such as denim or canvas that is not worn out or damages can also be used for this bag making project.

This is a great environmentally friendly way to have a supply of re-usable shopping bags and totes that are different and can be personalised.

The design is simple you just need two rectangles or squares of fabric the same size.

• Cut the squares/rectangles to the size bag you want but make it slightly larger to allow for the seams you will make when stitching it and turning the top-edge of the bag over.
• Place the two pieces of cutout fabric right sides together.
• Stitch around three sides of the bag/ You may want to work two rows of stitching to make the seams stronger. If you know what a french seam is you could use that method.
• Make yourself two handle straps from the fabric or from some webbing that is strong and sturdy. The straps can be long for a shoulder bag or shorter from something like a re-usable book-bag.
• Neaten the top edge of the bag - either by turning it in and hemming - i.e. stitch it by hand or machine it. Or you could zig-zag stitch it to neaten and trim it with a band of stitched on braid or ribbon.
• Attach the handles - to the bag.

You have Finished - You are now the owner of an Eco- Friendly Re-Usable shopping bag that you made yourself.

Personalise your bag now in anyway you want - however for complex designs such as embroidery or fabric painting you may wan to work the design on the front before you stitch the pieces together.

You can buy pens to make your own design onto the fabric - these pens are like felt pens but are especially made for use on fabrics.

You can vary the size of these bags from small book bags to larger shopping bags.

The more weight the bag will need to carry the stronger the fabric needs to be and especially bear this in mind when designing and attaching the handles.