The world is becoming more environmentally conscious; we can now do our part to help the planet by using certain products over others and recycling the products we already have.
In the last forty years alone, the amount of plastic in the ocean has multiplied 100 times than before, dangering the lives of aquatic wildlife. The production of plastic also harms us and our planet as it creates pollution and impacts global warming.
One effective way we can do our part to prevent more plastic from harming the environment is by using reusable grocery bags that can last a long time and hold the right amount of groceries. In this article, we will be reviewing the best reusable grocery bags on the market so that you can get yourself the perfect bag that will make your weekly shop at the grocers much more manageable and help you do your part for the environment.
Best Pick
Our best buy is the EarthWise reusable grocery bags set as it is collapsible, has two sets of handles that vary in size, comes in several colours and can fit in a lot of groceries at once.
Budget Pick
Our best budget is the BeeGreen reusable grocery bag which has a large variety of fun colours to choose from. It is lightweight and can be folded into a tiny square that can fit easily in your purse or pocket.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Reusable Grocery Bags
[table id=103 /]
1. EarthWise Reusable Grocery Bags Set
One of the key things a great reusable grocery bag must-have is durability. The last thing you'd want is to use a bag a few times and find rips and holes in it.
The EarthWise grocery bag is heavy-duty with long durable handles that make carrying your heavy groceries easy.
Reusable grocery bags can be pretty dull. EarthWise has come up with various colors that you can pick from to match your bag to your personality. You can find the bag in colors such as black, pink, green, turquoise, grey, and more.
These bags can fit a lot in them and are made from Non-Woven Polypropylene and recycled cardboard walls that ensure the bags are rigid in structure and stay that way over time without losing their shape. Because of this, the bag stays open with ease making it easy to put your groceries in them without fumbling with the bag.
These bags are easy to fold and store away without taking up much space when not in use. They come with both longer and shorter straps. You can either carry the bag on your shoulder easily or hold the handle via the smaller straps.
Though these bags are ideal for groceries, they can also be used on a trip to the beach, concert, to carry laundry, and much more.
Pros
Cons
2. BeeGreen Reusable Grocery Bags Set
These tote-style bags come in so many colors that you won’t even be able to count them all on your fingers, and luckily you’ll often find them in a set of 5, which is always handy.
These bags are fantastic because you can fold them up into such a small shape that they can fit most pockets and purses, making it ideal for keeping one of them in your bag at all times, just in case. Because you can fold them so efficiently, they don’t take up much storage space.
Made from 100% ripstop polyester cloth, these bags are extremely lightweight and surprisingly sturdy. Despite its thin material, thanks to the bag's squared-off bottom, the bag won't lose its shape over time and keeps your groceries staying in place without moving all over the place.
Luckily, these bags are fit to be washed in your washing machine with ease. Simply use a mild detergent and hang to dry when you need to.Pros
Cons
3. Household Essentials 2212-1 Krush Canvas Utility Tote
Made from water-resistant vinyl, this bag is easy to clean, whether some of your groceries have spilled at the bottom of the bag or you get sand on it if you take the bag to the beach. Rest assured that this bag isn't heavy and can hold onto its sturdy shape for a long time.
It comes with two mid-length handles that are easy to carry and various classy designs such as teal and white stripes, a black and white geometric design, an elegant floral design, plain black, and more.
These bags are very large and can fit a large number of groceries in at once. Also, they are square and stand up on its own without assistance making it easy to place your groceries in with ease.
Pros
Cons
4. NZ Home Insulated Reusable Grocery Bag
Sometimes at the grocery store, we can pick up items that need to stay cool, such as ice cream and drinks. The NZ Home Grocery Bag is insulated making it an ideal option if you like to keep your fridge well-stocked with cool foodstuffs.
The rectangular shape of this bag is fantastic, especially if you like to drink wine. You can safely secure your wine upright with this bag and take it home without any problems.
This bag comes in three sizes: medium, X-large and XX-large, so you can pick a size that best matches your needs. Whether you're buying groceries for a big family or get-together, or whether you live alone, having a variety of sizes to choose from is excellent.
It comes with two handles that are easy to carry on your shoulder but unfortunately do not come with smaller handles to make it easy to carry with one hand. The bag can be folded when not in use but does not fold as well as some other reusable bags and may take a little more room.
These bags are also a fantastic option if you own food business and are looking for great delivery bags. These bags hold up incredibly well and keep your food warm/cold so you can get it to your customers without any problems. The bag's interior is made from aluminum and works as an insulator, and the exterior is made from thick, durable polypropylene fabric.
The bag cannot withstand being washed in a washing machine, so it is best to hand wash or gently rub down with a cloth to keep the bag clean.
Pros
Cons
5. BAGGU Standard Reusable Shopping Bag
Coming in a tote-shape and a multitude of colours, this bag is another option for those of you who want to have a bag the ready on your person at all times.
This bag can also be folded into a tiny shape that can fit into pockets and purses and is so lightweight that you might just forget you're carrying it.
For an everyday shopping bag, the BAGGU bag is very convenient. It is made from ripstop nylon, which is light and surprisingly sturdy and claims to carry up to 30lbs of groceries. This bag can be washed in the washing machine, which simply adds to how suitable this product is.
Pros
Cons
6. Ikea 172.283.40 Frakta Shopping Bag
Though this bag might not be the cutest in our list it is unique and functional in its own way. It has two sets of handles; both long and short for your own comfort.
Made from polypropylene, the bag cannot be washed in the washing machine. Instead, you can wipe it down with a wet cloth if needs be.
These bags are easy to fold up but do make a lot of plastic rustling noises so be wary. They also do not fold into very small shapes, which may be inconvenient to carry. Though an excellent option for shopping, these bags are also fantastic to carry outdoor activities and sports as the material is easy to clean. You won’t have to worry about your bag getting muddy or a bottle of milk spilling in your bag, as you can easily wipe the mess away.
Pros
Cons
7. BeeGreen Reusable Grocery Bag Set - Animal Designs
BeeGreen have also come up with another set of reusable bags that can be folded into a lightweight and small shape that is almost effortless to carry.
Like their previous design mentioned earlier in this article, these bags are made from 100% ripstop nylon making the entire bag extremely lightweight, waterproof and durable against rips and tears.
Thanks to this material they can also be washed in the washing machine if needs be. The main difference in these bags compared to the previous BeeGreen ones are the designs. These come in a variety of animal prints ranging from penguins, elephants, hedgehogs, cats, turtles and more. These bags are super cute and make for a wonderful gift to those who love both animals and shopping.
Pros
Cons
8. BagPodz Reusable Bag and Storage System
Available in saffron yellow, spring green, cayenne red and Caribbean blue, these reusable bags are made from ripstop nylon and can hold up to 50lbs of weight with ease.
Each of the materials used to make these bags are Bluesign certified which means all of the harmful substances are eliminated during the manufacturing process.
On top of being machine washable, the storage system it comes with makes BagPodz stand out from the other reusable bags on the market. This is a pouch where you can store your reusable bags in one place with ease. This way you won't lose your bags or forget them at home. The storage system is small enough to fit easily into your car or pantry It has a convenient clip-on where you can attach the storage to your shopping cart's handle for convenience.
Pros
Cons
9. CleverMade Collapsible Laundry Basket
If you’re looking for versatility, the CleverMade may be an option to consider. Not only can these bags be used for shopping, but they are also great to use as a laundry basket, hamper bag and more.
These bags come in a variety of colours such as rose, teal, black, grey and more. They only offer two handles that are on the shorter end so you may not be able to carry this bag under your arm for comfort.
When not in use, this bag can be folded completely flat and be easily stored in your wardrobes. When folded, it is not small enough to fit inside your pockets or purse but is very flat so storing it in your car or at home shouldn’t be a problem.
Designed with a reinforced steel rim at the top of the tall bin and a rigid baseboard at the bottom for heavy-duty structure; the snap hinges inside the bags allow them to pop up and collapse with ease.Pros
Cons
10. iFavo Reusable Grocery Shopping Bags
These bags are made from nylon that is extremely lightweight and durable. In fact, these bags can carry up to 35 lbs of groceries in them.
A unique feature these bags have are its handles. Instead of being traditionally sewed onto the bag, they are continuous with the bag’s body and this adds another layer of security, ensuring the straps won’t rip off the bag when in use.
You can also fold these bags into very small squares and keep them in small places making them ideal for storing in pockets, purses, at home and in the car.
Pros
Cons
Things to Consider Before Buying a Reusable Grocery Bag
Reusable grocery bags are a fantastic option for those who are trying to be a little more eco-friendly and mindful of the environment. They can help us reduce our plastic use, which will, in turn, save the aquatic wildlife in our oceans.
Reusable grocery bags come in a variety of colors, shapes, materials, and designs, all of which can influence whether it is suitable for you.
Here are a few things you should consider before buying a reusable grocery bag.
Material
The material of the bag is what ensures whether it can hold enough products in it without tearing. This can also dictate how heavy the bag is and whether it is suitable to be washed.
If you are looking for something compact, light, and simple, nylon bags may be a great option for you.
If you require a little bit more assistant, you might want to consider purchasing bags that include extra padding so that the bag can stay upright even when it's empty.
Storage
Most reusable bags are easy to fold and store, but some are more compact than others. Tote-style bags without added padding are typically extremely flexible and can be folded into very small sizes. This is great if you would like to have a bag on your person at all times. You can easily take carry the bag in your purse or pocket everywhere you go. Because they are so small when folded, you can store them virtually everywhere.
Other reusable bags are still likely to fold but just not as compactly. Think about whether the bag will fit into your car if you drive and where you will be storing the bag beforehand to ensure you have enough space to fit in several bags.
How to Clean the Bag
Whatever we use our bags for, they often get dirty. We may place our bags on floors, and things may spill inside the bag. Check to see if you can wash the bag in the washing machine along with your clothes or if you'll need to wipe it down with a wet cloth instead.
Design
The size of the bag is crucial to understand before you purchase a reusable bag. The last thing you would want is a bag too small or too big for your needs. There are taller bags perfect for wine bottles and smaller bags perfect for a quick stop at the market.
There are many designs and colors to choose from, and most reusable grocery bags come in a variety that can suit your personality.
Reusable bags come in a variety of shapes. Some are more box-like and rigid, and others are tote-style bags that are soft. Before buying a bag, this is something to consider as you would want a functional bag that fits all of your needs. For example, if you like to place your bag upright to easily loud your groceries in it, a padded bag would be a good option.
Think about how many straps the bag has too. This way, you can understand if carrying the bag when it's full of heavy groceries will be comfortable or not.
Conclusion
Reusable grocery bags can be reliable, easy to use, functional and comfortable, but only if you get one suited for all of your needs. We hope that you now know what to look for with this article so you can pick the best reusable grocery bags that won't let you down.