Reusable shopping bag

First introduced in the US in 1977, plastic shopping bags for bagging groceries at stores flourished in the 1980s and 1990s, replacing paper bags.{{Cite web |date=2018-04-25 |title=From birth to ban: A history of the plastic shopping bag |url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/birth-ban-history-plastic-shopping-bag |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=www.unep.org |language=en}} In 1990s, governments in some countries started to impose taxes on distribution of disposable plastic bags or to regulate the use of them. Some supermarkets have encouraged shoppers to stop using disposable plastic bags, by for example offering inexpensive reusable shopping bags or providing information on plastic bags{{'}} environmental damage.{{Cite journal |last=Cherrier |first=Helene |date=September 2006 |title=Consumer identity and moral obligations in non-plastic bag consumption: a dialectical perspective |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2006.00531.x |journal=International Journal of Consumer Studies |volume=30 |issue=5 |pages=515–523 |doi=10.1111/j.1470-6431.2006.00531.x |issn=1470-6423|hdl=10072/36282 |hdl-access=free }} The physical shape of reusable shopping bags is often different than was typical before the prevalence of plastic bags.{{Cn|date=September 2023}} The apparel industry promotes reusable shopping bags as sustainable fashion.

Many supermarkets encourage the use of reusable shopping bags to increase sales and profit margins. Most non woven bags cost $0.10–0.25 to produce but are sold for $0.99–$3.00.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Edith Johnson |date=2024-08-15 |title=Ethical Eco-Purse Production: A Sustainable Solution {{!}} Actualizado November 2024 |url=https://designerbagcraft.com/creation-of-handbags/eco-conscious-purse-production/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=DESIGNERBAGCRAFT.COM |language=en-US}} As stores receive diminishing returns due to saturated markets, there are concerns that prices will drop and they will become the new single-use bag. Some major supermarket chains have string or calico bags available for sale. They are sold with announcement of environmental issues in many cases. The ones sold in supermarkets often have designs related to nature, such as prints of trees or that of the earth, in order to emphasize environmental issues. One startup company out of Duluth, Minnesota, embroiders their bags with their local Aerial Lift Bridge on it.{{cite news |language=en |access-date=25 August 2023 |title=Reduce Reuse Duluth |archive-date=Apr 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410132944/https://reducereuseduluth.com/ |url-status=unfit |url=https://reducereuseduluth.com}} Some supermarkets have rewards programs for customers who bring their own shopping bags. When the customers collect a certain number of points, they can usually get discount coupons or gifts, which motivate customers to reduce plastic bag use. Some retailers such as Whole Foods Market and Target offer a cash discount for bringing in reusable bags.{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2010-01-26-retailfuture26_CV_N.htm | work=USA Today | title=Retailers try new survival strategies for 2010 | first=Jayne | last=O'Donnell | date=2010-01-29}}{{Cite web |last=Nelman |first=Melissa |date=2017-08-25 |title=7 Stores That Pay You to Bring a Reusable Bag |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/7-stores-pay-bring-reusable-220515867.html |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=Yahoo Finance}}

Since 1999, 6.25 billion reusable bags were imported into the United States for resale and give-aways under Harmonized Tariff Code (HTC) 4202923031 as reported by the United States International Trade Commission.{{cite web |title=US International Trade Commission Import Database |url=http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/query.asp |url-status=dead |access-date=2016-02-18 |publisher=Dataweb.usitc.gov |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305171439/https://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/query.asp }}

Most U.S. grocery store customers do not bring their own bags, and many reusable bags go unused by customers, according to a 2008 article in the Wall Street Journal.{{cite news |last=Gamerman |first=Ellen |date=2008-09-26 |title=An Inconvenient Bag |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122238422541876879 |access-date=2010-03-19}}

In 2009, Walmart Stores proposed turning three California stores into reusable-bag-only stores.{{cite news |date=2009-10-22 |title=Wal-Mart postpones trial removing free plastic bags |work=Chicago Tribune |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/sns-200910221830mctnewsservbc-cns-walmart-bags-sa4,0,2604105.story |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091102064850/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/sns-200910221830mctnewsservbc-cns-walmart-bags-sa4,0,2604105.story |archive-date=2009-11-02}} Concurrently, Walmart was prepared to introduce a $0.15 reusable bag. On 23 October 2009, Walmart abandoned plans to remove carrier bags and introduced the new lower-cost bags.{{Citation needed|date=July 2013}} In contrast to previous bags sold at $0.99 and $0.50, these lower cost bags may reduce price incentive to reuse these heavier-duty bags.{{original research inline|date=July 2013}}

File:-2020-01-24 Morrisons reusable shopping bag, Trimingham.JPG

Reusable shopping bags are offered in most British supermarkets. These are sold for a nominal sum, usually 10 pence, and are replaced for free. The bags are more durable than standard bags, meaning that they can be reused many times over.

The main purpose of this is to ensure that packaging waste legislation was met and to encourage the bags to be recycled (which usually earns the retailer a small amount of money per bag), and unlike with 5p carrier bags there is a (small) financial incentive to bring the bags back for recycling, lessening the environmental impact.

In contrast to most spartan carrier bags, bags for life tend to be colourful and sometimes show some aspect of the supermarket's advertising. Some supermarkets maintain the same design for years at a time, whereas some, like Waitrose, rotate the designs to tie in with either the season or the most recent advertising campaign.

Waitrose was the first British supermarket to launch Bag For Life in association with British Polythene Industries. It was the brainchild of Gini Ekstein, from British Polythene industries. Gini Ekstein with Paul Oustedal and Nick Jones, of Waitrose, launched Bag For Life in 1998.{{cite web |title=Less can be more |url=http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/YourRubbish/asp/06/Food.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106140944/http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/YourRubbish/asp/06/Food.aspx |archive-date=January 6, 2009 |access-date=2010-03-19 |website=Eastern Daily Press}} It was the first closed-loop recycling initiative; returned and broken bags are made into black benches places outside Waitrose stores. The initial marketing messages designed by Ekstein and by Beth Chiles of Message Marketing are still in use today. Later on, Sainsbury's and other supermarkets introduced the bag for life. In 2015 the UK Government introduced a tax on all carrier bags, which meant that every consumer would pay 5p for any carrier bag from any "large retailer" store.{{cite web |last1=Priestley |first1=Sara |last2=Sutherland |first2=Nikki |title=Plastic Bags - The single use carrier bag charge |url=https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-7241 |publisher=parliament.uk |access-date=20 February 2020 |date=1 March 2019}}

The increasing use of jute and juco bags (a mix of cotton and jute) has provided a natural alternative to single-use plastic bags and reusable plastic bags. These are found in many of the major supermarkets, and over 50 million have been sold in the UK alone.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} These bags have a 3–4 year lifespan and so are often seen as the ecological option.

Jute bags have become a crossover product from an alternative to plastics to a fashion/shopper accessory. Jute bags will last for about 4 years and if used correctly will replace over 600 single bags. At end of life, they can be used as planters for growing garden vegetables.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

In Ireland, they were introduced in March 2002, when the Plastic Bag Environmental Levy was brought in to reduce the massive amount of disposable bags being used annually. Bags costing 70 euro cents or more are exempt from the levy.{{Cite web |date=2008-02-02 |title=Ireland an inspiration for drive to rid the world of plastic bags |url=https://tucson.com/news/science/environment/ireland-an-inspiration-for-drive-to-rid-the-world-of-plastic-bags/article_a237e445-2ade-5fd9-9882-5b6191862bd1.html |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Arizona Daily Star |language=en}}

Image:GreenBag.jpg "green bag" from Australia]]

Introduced in the 1990s, these bags are known as green bags in Australia due to their relative environmental friendliness and usual (though far from universal) green colour. Green bags and similar reusable shopping bags are commonly distributed at the point of sale by supermarkets and other retail outlets. They are intended to be reused repeatedly to replace the use of hundreds of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic bags. Most green bags are made of 100% non-woven polypropylene (NWPP),{{cite web| title=FAQ| url=http://www.greenpac.com.au/FAQ.htm| publisher=greenpac.com.au| access-date=22 September 2013| archive-date=22 August 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822002133/http://www.greenpac.com.au/FAQ.htm| url-status=dead}} which is recyclable but not biodegradable. Some companies claim to be making NWPP bags from recycled material; however, with current manufacturing techniques this is not possible. All NWPP bags are made from virgin material.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} Similar bags are made of jute, canvas, calico or hemp but are not discussed here. A typical base insert is 200 mm (8") × 300 mm (12") and weighs 30 g (1 oz). It is generally made of a stiff plastic.

Most reusable bag shoppers do not wash their bags once they return home, and the bags may be leading to food poisoning, according to Dr. Richard Summerbell, research director at Toronto-based Sporometrics and former chief of medical mycology for the Ontario Ministry of Health.{{cite web |url=http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theappetizer/archive/2009/05/20/back-to-plastic-reusable-grocery-bags-may-pose-public-health-risk.aspx |title=Back to plastic? Reusable grocery bags may cause food poisoning - The Appetizer |publisher=Network.nationalpost.com |access-date=2010-03-19 }}{{dead link|date=June 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Because of their repeated exposure to raw meats and vegetables, there is an increased risk of foodborne illness. A 2008 study of bags, sponsored by the Environmental and Plastics Industry Council of Canada, found mold and bacterial levels in one reusable bag to be 300% greater than the levels that would be considered safe in drinking water.{{cite web |date=2008-11-27 |title=Reusable bags contain bacteria, mould: study |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/reusable-bags-contain-bacteria-mould-study-1.346702 |access-date=2010-03-19 |website=CTV Toronto}}{{cite web |last=Environment and Plastics Industry Council |date=2009-05-20 |title=Grocery Carry Bag Sanitation: A Microbiological Study of Reusable Plastic Grocery Bags |url=http://www.plastics.ca/_files/file.php?fileid=0&filename=file_A_Microbiological_Study_of_Reusable_Grocery_Bags_May20_09.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501015123/http://www.plastics.ca/_files/file.php?fileid=0&filename=file_A_Microbiological_Study_of_Reusable_Grocery_Bags_May20_09.pdf |archive-date=2011-05-01 |access-date=2011-02-03 |website=plastics.ca}}

The study does not differentiate between non-hemp bags and hemp bags, which have natural antimildew and antimicrobial properties.{{cite web |title=Hemp Defined |url=http://www.naihc.org/hemp_information/hemp_defined.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513122613/http://www.naihc.org/hemp_information/hemp_defined.html |archive-date=2011-05-13 |access-date=2011-02-03 |website=North American Industrial Hemp Council}}

A 2010 joint University of Arizona and Limo Loma University study (sponsored by the American Chemistry Council, a trade group that advocates on behalf of disposable plastic bag manufacturers) they found that "Reusable grocery bags can be a breeding ground for dangerous foodborne bacteria and pose a serious risk to public health".{{cite web |date=2010-06-24 |title=Reusable Grocery Bags Contaminated With E. Coli, Other Bacteria |url=http://uanews.org/node/32521 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204210412/http://uanews.org/node/32521 |archive-date=December 4, 2010 |access-date=2011-02-03 |website=University of Arizona News}} The study found that 97% of users did not wash them and that greater than 50% of the 84 bags contained coliform (a bacterium found in fecal material), while E. coli was found in 12% of the bags.{{Cite web |last1=Gerba |first1=Charles P. |last2=Williams |first2=David |last3=Sinclair |first3=Ryan G. |date=2010-06-09 |title=Assessment of the Potential for Cross Contamination of Food Products by Reusable Shopping Bags |url=http://uanews.org/pdfs/GerbaWilliamsSinclair_BagContamination.pdf |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130140029/http://uanews.org/pdfs/GerbaWilliamsSinclair_BagContamination.pdf |archive-date=2010-11-30 |access-date=2010-06-25 |website=University of Arizona News}} The study made the following recommendations:

1. States should consider requiring printed instructions on reusable bags indicating they need to cleaned or bleached between uses.
2. State and local governments should invest in a public education campaign to alert the public about risk and prevention.
3. When using reusable bags, consumers should be careful to separate raw foods from other food products.
4. Consumers should not use reusable food bags for other purposes such as carrying books or gym clothes.
5. Consumers should not store meat or produce in the trunks of their cars because the higher temperature promotes growth of bacteria, which can contaminate reusable bags.

The study further showed that machine or hand washing even without the presence of bleach was effective in reducing coliform and other bacteria in the bags to levels below detection.

A Consumer Reports article criticized the 2010 study, calling into question the small sample size of bags examined in the study and the questionable danger of the type and amount of bacteria found. Michael Hansen, senior staff scientist at Consumers Union, stated "A person eating an average bag of salad greens gets more exposure to these bacteria than if they had licked the insides of the dirtiest bag from this study". He comments that reusable shopping bags are acceptable if washed occasionally, but that some foods, such as poultry, fish, and meat, should be put in disposable shopping bags due to how easily bacteria can be spread.{{cite web |date=2010-07-22 |title=Can reusable grocery bags make you sick, or is that just baloney? |url=http://news.consumerreports.org/safety/2010/07/can-reusable-grocery-bags-make-you-sick-or-is-that-just-baloney.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630204830/http://news.consumerreports.org/safety/2010/07/can-reusable-grocery-bags-make-you-sick-or-is-that-just-baloney.html |archive-date=2011-06-30 |access-date=2011-07-21 |website=Consumer Reports}}

In September 2010, "Wegmans Food Markets Inc., owner of a chain of East Coast supermarkets, announced it would replace reusable shopping bags after a consumer group found the sacks had high levels of lead."{{cite news|last=Plungis |first=Jeff |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-10/wegmans-markets-replaces-reusable-bags-after-group-cites-high-lead-levels.html |title=Wegmans Markets Replaces Reusable Bags After Group Cites High Lead Levels |publisher=Bloomberg |date=2010-09-10 |access-date=2011-02-03}} Bloomberg News also stated that the high levels were related to two specific designs, totaling more than 725,000 bags.

After a report in the Tampa Tribune{{cite web |last=Mullins |first=Richard |date=2010-11-14 |title=Refunds offered on reusable grocery bags containing lead |url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/nov/14/140842/lead-taints-reusable-bags/news-metro/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116134143/http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/nov/14/140842/lead-taints-reusable-bags/news-metro/ |archive-date=2010-11-16 |access-date=2011-02-03 |website=Tampa Bay Online}} in November 2010 found that elevated levels of lead were found in similar reusable bags, the Food and Drug Administration opened an investigation responding to calls by U.S. environmental and consumer groups, as well as U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, to investigate the reusable bags commonly distributed by grocery stores and large retail chains.{{cite news |last=Mullins |first=Richard |date=November 16, 2010 |title=FDA opens investigation into reusable grocery bags |work=Tampa Bay Online |url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/nov/16/170607/fda-opens-investigation-reusable-grocery-bags/life-health/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008055948/http://www2.tbo.com/business/breaking-news-business/2010/nov/16/fda-opens-investigation-reusable-grocery-bags-ar-14679/ |archive-date=2012-10-08}} Winn-Dixie recalled their bags after they were directly cited in the investigation.{{cite news |last=Armour |first=Stephanie |date=2010-11-19 |title=Lead in reusable grocery bags prompts call for federal inquiry |publisher=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/environment/2010-11-15-toxicbags15_st_N.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=2011-02-03 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205100642/http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/environment/2010-11-15-toxicbags15_st_N.htm |archive-date=2013-02-05}}

In December 2010, Canadian-based athletic retailer Lululemon Athletica recalled complimentary reusable bags distributed since November 2009 because "environmental concerns were raised over the proper disposal of reusable bags due to lead content."{{cite news |last=Sinnema |first=Jodie |date=2010-12-22 |title=Lululemon recalls reusable shopping bags |work=Edmonton Journal |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/Lululemon+recalls+reusable+shopping+bags/4010985/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224101605/https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/Lululemon+recalls+reusable+shopping+bags/4010985/story.html |archive-date=2010-12-24}} Sears' Canadian stores announced a recall on reusable bags because of similar findings on January 6, 2011.{{cite web |date=2011-01-06 |title=Sears bag recalled over high lead content |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/health/Sears+recalled+over+high+lead+content/4067021/story.html |access-date=2011-02-03 |website=Ottawa Citizen}}{{dead link|date=September 2023}} On January 12, 2011, The Center for Environmental Health announced Disney-themed bags from U.S. grocery chain Safeway have been found to contain levels of lead 15 to 17 times the current federal limit of 300ppm.{{cite web |last=Mullins |first=Richard |date=2011-01-12 |title=Lead found in Disney-licensed shopping bags |url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2011/jan/12/121657/lead-found-in-disney-licensed-shopping-bags/news-breaking/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119061745/http://www2.tbo.com/content/2011/jan/12/121657/lead-found-in-disney-licensed-shopping-bags/news-breaking/ |archive-date=2011-01-19 |access-date=2011-02-03 |website=Tampa Bay Online}} Safeway recalled bags that had been identified as containing high levels of lead in late January 2011.

In January 2011, USA Today ran an article based on a report from the Center for Consumer Freedom, a front group for the "hospitality industries", that bags sold in the U.S. by Bloom, Giant, Giant Eagle, Safeway, Walgreens, and other grocery chains and retailers contained levels of lead in excess of 100 parts per million, the maximum amount allowed under law in many U.S. states. They have not produced their testing methods and data, and many organizations feel this was an attempt to discredit the use of reusable bags.{{cite web |author=Westervelt |first=Amy |author-link=Amy Westervelt |date=2011-03-23 |title=Is the Plastic Industry the New Tobacco Industry? |url=http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/is_the_plastic_industry_the_new_tobacco_industry |website=Earth Island Journal}} Bloom stopped distributing the bags due to toxicity levels prior to the study, but did not recall the bags.{{cite news |last=O'Donnell |first=Jayne |date=2011-01-27 |title=Tests find high levels of lead in reusable bags |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2011-01-23-reusable-bags_N.htm |access-date=2011-02-03}}

Other concerns have been raised about the safety of reusable bags due to infrequent washing and the presence of bacteria.{{cite news |date=2010-06-25 |title=Reusable grocery bags found to be full of bacteria |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/24/AR2010062406143.html |newspaper=Washington Post}}

In May 2012, Oregon Public Health published a study in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, traced an outbreak of the dangerous norovirus to a reusable grocery bag that members of a Beaverton girls' soccer team passed around when they shared cookies.{{Cite journal |last1=Repp |first1=Kimberly K. |last2=Keene |first2=William E. |date=2012-06-01 |title=A Point-Source Norovirus Outbreak Caused by Exposure to Fomites |url=https://academic.oup.com/jid/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/infdis/jis250 |journal=The Journal of Infectious Diseases |volume=205 |issue=11 |pages=1639–1641 |doi=10.1093/infdis/jis250 |issn=1537-6613 |pmc=3415849 |pmid=22573873}}{{cite news |date=2012-05-10 |title=Oregon norovirus traced to reusable grocery bag |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-10/Oregon-norovirus-grocery-bags/54874814/1 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919054322/http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-10/Oregon-norovirus-grocery-bags/54874814/1 |archive-date=2012-09-19}}{{cite web |last=Goodman |first=Brenda |date=2012-05-09 |title=Norovirus Outbreak Traced to Reusable Grocery Bag |url=http://www.webmd.com/news/20120508/norovirus-outbreak-traced-reusable-grocery-bag |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511170149/http://www.webmd.com/news/20120508/norovirus-outbreak-traced-reusable-grocery-bag |archive-date=2012-05-11 |work=WebMD}}

{{main|Phase-out of lightweight plastic bags}}

Some governments have encouraged or required the use of reusable shopping bags through the regulation of plastic bags with bans, recycling mandates, taxes or fees.“China bans free plastic shopping bags”, International Herald Tribune, January 9, 2008 The legislation to discourage plastic bag use has been passed in parts of Hong Kong, Ireland, South Africa, the United States, Canada, and Taiwan.

In 2002, the Australian federal government studied the use of throwaway plastic bags and threatened to outlaw them if retailers did not voluntarily discourage their use. In 2003, the government negotiated with the Australian Retailers Association a voluntary progressive reduction of plastic bag use which led to a number of initiatives, including the widespread distribution and promotion of Green Bags.{{Cite web|title=What is a Reusable bag or also known as "green bags"?|url=https://www.shoppersinusa.com/2021/11/what-is-reusable-bag-or-also-known-as.html|access-date=2021-12-01|website=shoppersinusa|archive-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201030921/https://www.shoppersinusa.com/2021/11/what-is-reusable-bag-or-also-known-as.html|url-status=dead}}

In 2012, San Luis Obispo County, CA outlawed disposable plastic bags and began requiring shoppers to bring their own bags or pay a 10 cent per bag fee for paper bags.{{cite web|website=SanLuisObispo.com|date=September 29, 2012|url=http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2012/09/29/2245711/plastic-bag-ban-starts-monday.html|title=Plastic Bag Ban Starts Monday|access-date=6 February 2013|archive-date=26 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126205946/http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2012/09/29/2245711/plastic-bag-ban-starts-monday.html|url-status=dead}} In 2009, the District of Columbia began requiring a 5¢ fee for each disposable bag.{{Cite web|title = Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act of 2009 {{!}} ddoe|url = http://doee.dc.gov/publication/anacostia-river-clean-and-protection-act-2009|website = doee.dc.gov|access-date = 2015-12-14}} In 2012, Portland, Oregon began mandated programs to eliminate disposable checkout bags.{{Cite web|title = Frequently-asked Questions about Portland's Plastic Bag Ban {{!}} Bring Your Bag! {{!}} The City of Portland, Oregon|url = https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/402484|website = www.portlandoregon.gov|access-date = 2015-12-14}}In 2024, California banned sale of all plastic bags at grocery checkouts.{{Cite news |title=California Bans all Plastic Bags |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/us/california-plastic-bags-ban.html }}

In 2015, the Canadian province of Quebec voted in a program to ban disposable bags, but the program must be adopted by each municipality.{{Cite web|title = Some types of plastic bags could soon be banned in Montreal|url = https://montrealgazette.com/business/local-business/montreal-plastic-bag-ban|website = Montreal Gazette|access-date = 2015-12-14}}{{Cite web|title = Montreal bans single-use plastic bags as of 2018|url = http://phys.org/news/2015-12-montreal-single-use-plastic-bags.html|website = phys.org|access-date = 2015-12-14}} Toronto had tried a similar program, but was eliminated after a short time.{{Cite web|title = Plastic Bag Ban {{!}} Toronto Environmental Alliance|url = http://www.torontoenvironment.org/campaigns/waste/bagbanfaq|website = www.torontoenvironment.org|access-date = 2015-12-14}}

Because of the encouragement of reusable shopping bags by governments and supermarkets, reusable shopping bags have become one of the new fashion trends. The apparel industry also contributed to making it popular to have fashionable reusable shopping bags instead of disposable plastic bags. In 2007, British designer Anya Hindmarch's $15 "I'm Not A Plastic Bag" (an unbleached cotton bag) sold out in one day, and fetched $800 on the Internet.{{cite news|last=Bonisteel |first=Sara |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,284395,00.html |title=Behold the $800 Reusable Grocery Bag - Business And Money | Business News |publisher=FOXNews.com |date=2007-06-19 |access-date=2010-03-19}} The brand Envirosax started out producing reusable shopping bags, but have expanded their lines with more color and pattern options, in addition to licensing properties like Sesame Street.

Environmental concerns,[http://www.mediendenk.de/index.php?AID=0000028350 Mediendenk (21 December 2013). Umweltaktion von Bürgerblick Passau: Netz gegen Plastikmüll] (in German) (Accessed: 4 December 2016) Ostalgie (nostalgia for East Germany), and a general fashion for retro style have led to the resurgence, in all parts of Germany, of what was once considered the frumpy Omas Einkaufsnetz (Grandma's shopping net).[http://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/geschichte/aus-der-mode-aus-dem-sinn/1501512.html Wiebrecht V., Skuppin, R. (2005) in Tagesspiegel. Aus der Mode, aus dem Sinn Das Einkaufsnetz] (in German). (Accessed: 4 December 2016)Keseling, Uta (2010). Der Stoff, aus dem die DDR war, kehrt zurück in Berliner Morgenpost (in German).(Accessed: 4 December 2016) The DDR Museum in Berlin has a collection of Einskaufsnetz, and the bags are now often sold as DDR kult Klassiker (East German cult classics).[http://www.ddr-museum.de/de/blog/sammlungen/bdquodederon-ein-begriff-fuer-qualitaetldquo---eine-ddr-kunstfaser-setzt-sich-durch DDR Museum. „Dederon, ein Begriff für Qualität“ - Eine DDR-Kunstfaser setzt sich durch] (in German). (Accessed: 4 December 2016)

In terms of consumer behaviour, use of reusable bags is positively correlated with organic purchases and with self-indulgent purchases such as ice cream or cookies.{{cite web|last=Karmarkar|first=Uma|title=BYOB: How Bringing your Own Shopping Bags Leads to Treating Yourself, and the Environment|url=http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/14-065_a44e93a2-3a28-4768-ac18-6e0925699d3f.pdf|publisher=Harvard Business School|access-date=27 February 2014}}{{clarify|date=September 2014}}

{{unreferenced section|date=August 2018}}

Several methods are available to objectively determine if reusable shopping bags (including handles) are indeed reusable. There is a published protocol for testing laboratories involving a 10 kg (22 lb) test load being subjected to a series of static and dynamic laboratory tests.{{Citation

| title =ENVIRONMENTAL CHOICE PROGRAM Reusable Utility Bags (CCD-100) ACCEPTANCE TEST PROCEDURE

| publisher =Los Angeles County

| year =1995

| url =https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/aboutthebag/PDF/EcoLogo_ATP-001_Reusable_Bag_Testing.pdf

| access-date= April 2, 2019}}

Other evaluators have used "walk tests" of people carrying bags with 10 kg (22 lb) of mixed loads for a distance of 175 feet (approx. 50 metres). Many repetitions of the walk cycle for each bag are conducted; periodic washing machine cleanings are included.{{cite thesis |type=MSc |last=Diringer |first=J. A. |date=2016 |title=Evaluation of Durability of Nonwoven Polypropylene Grocery Bags Under Routine Use |publisher=Clemson University | url =https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/2476/| access-date= April 2, 2019}}

{{Reflist|20em}}

• {{cite news|author=Heckscher M.|title=Trendy grocery totes tout eco-chic style|work= The Seattle Times|date= July 2, 2008}}
• {{cite book|author1=Lu L. T. |author2=Hsiao T. Y. |author3=Shang N.C. |author4=Yu Y.H. |author5=Ma H. W. |title=Country Report: MSW management for waste minimization in Taiwan: The last two decades}}
• Njeru J., “The urban political ecology of plastic bag waste problem in Nairobi, Kenya"
• Wilson E., “Eco fashion? A world consumed by guilt”

{{bags}}

{{packaging}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reusable Shopping Bag}}

Category:Environmental design

Category:Reuse

Category:Shopping bags

Category:Recycling