Thursday, April 8, 2010

The gift that keeps on giving

For this yogini, a fundamental part of practising ahimsa is non-harming to the environment. Thus, one of my major life resolutions this year has been to cut down on my trash - especially plastic bags and plastic bottles. I'm proud to say that since January I have only brought home about 3 plastic shopping bags (although some of my trash still goes out in plastic garbage bags), and have consistently rejected things with too much packaging involving plastic or styrofoam. This is no easy feat in Asia, where environmental consciousness is still in its infancy (actually, more like fetal stage!) and the general rule of thumb seems to be the more plastic the better.

A few months ago when traveling in New Zealand, I came across this little gem of a product - Envirosax!! Envirosax are reusable shopping bags that roll down into a tight little packet and are easy to slip into your pocket or purse, so you never forget to have a carry bag with you!

I bought one and am so in love with it, I carry it around everywhere! And every time I roll it out in the supermarket I get "ooohs" and "aaaahs" from those nearby. No more of those bulky, ugly and hard to carry shopping bags for me! These bags come in an astounding array of beautiful patterns and colours - they are so stylish and striking that on occasion I just use them as a purse and have even used mine as an airline carry-on bag.

The other thing that makes these bags stand out for me is that they have wide shoulder straps, so you can carry a heavy load over your shoulder and the straps never dig in. Finally, they roll down into a teensy little packet that can easily be slipped into your purse so you never forget your shopping bag. You can even get a little pouch of 5, all rolled up and packed tightly together. What a cool gift for yourself or a loved one!

Most of the bags are made out of lightweight polyester (yes, this is a plastic, but the company argues that this makes them affordable, durable and even recyclable) but they also have an organic series with lovely bags made out of cotton, linen, bamboo and even hemp.

I'm not generally one for product placement, but this one I just had to share! Check out their website here... and enjoy!

11 comments:

  1. I really wanted one of these but Himself just made me one with an existing cloth bag and a rubber band :(

    He sees himself as frugal. I see him as a skinflint :D

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  2. I do love my hemp bag- although it doesn't fold up as small as the polyester versions though. :)

    I use my flip and tumbles all the time! they scrunch up into these little balls, easier to make smaller than the envirosax but still polyester. :)

    yay reusable bags!

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  3. I use these: http://www.sourcingmap.com/strawberry-style-reusable-fashion-shopping-tote-bag-p-52308.html

    They roll up into little strawberries that dangle off my purse!

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  4. I love that they scrunch up so small. I need to stash some in my car. I constantly forget my canvas bags...I'm not much of an eco warrior.

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  5. they are amazingly teeny tiny. of course, they are usually in use, so they teeny tininess isnt all that necessary!

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  6. @Rachel - Oh my goodness this made me laugh out loud!!! Does Himself have any Scottish blood by any chance? ;)

    @EcoYo - I actually have a ton of bags of various materials, shapes and sizes. But I love these little ones as a fall-back - they just stay nested in my purse waiting to be pulled out in emergency!

    @Rebecca - That is so cool! Strawberries! I love it.

    Babs - Stash them in your car, in your purse, everywhere! That's the genius of it.

    Emma - Isn't enviro-technology so cool (and simple!)

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  7. So many reusable bags nowadays but these are particularly pretty. (On dreary days, for whatever reason, prettiness and color can make a difference!)

    I agree with Babs about bags being MIA when you suddenly need them. I recommend having tons of reusable bags that you keep in various places (all of your handbags/backpacks, at work and at home, in your car, etc). The one issue that befalls my household: having lots of bags at home but finding that you brought none with you on an unexpected grocery run.

    Another obstacle for me: those smaller clear plastic produce bags. I need to buy mesh ones. I recommend these: http://bluelotusgoods.com/catalog/reuseablebulkproductbags-c-1.html?osCsid=97c52h5mt5m06o9hiko52rfho5. The cotton bags are made in India and screenprinted in Santa Cruz, CA. I have only a couple (a gift); they are rather pricey, though, to buy a lot. I might try the mesh ones. I am mainly trying to avoid any made in China...

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  8. Wow YogaSpy, those mesh bags are a great idea! I was wondering what to do about those smaller bags (other than buy just one onion at a time, lol!). And I agree - a little bit of prettiness can go a long way.

    The thing I like about these little bags is that you can keep one literally everywhere so you are never caught out without one!

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  9. That does look great. I got a really nice reusable bag recently...only to find I don't really like taking it with me places because it's so bulky, so something that'd fit in my pocket would be just perfect...

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  10. i do love these bags, and have a whole bundle myself x

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  11. @ La Gitane.... no he's from Yorkshire. They are all mean with money there too *sulks*

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