Single-use plastic bags will (finally) be banned in New York on March 1, 2020. Which got me thinking about reusable bags. And how most of us (my former self included) collect them as if the world is ending and we’re suddenly going to have to buy out the entire grocery store.
How Many Reusable Bags Should I Keep?
One of the simplest kitchen-related organization hacks to instantly feel lighter is to edit down your reusable bag collection. How many you keep is up to you… but think about how many you would realistically need at one time. This number is usually around six.
Which Bags Should Make the Cut?
My advice is to keep your favorites – the ones you always grab anyway – and ditch the rest. Personally, I prefer canvas or cotton totes because they’re washable (…tote bags are notoriously dirty). Simply throw them in the wash every few weeks and let air-dry.
What Should I Do With Unwanted Bags?
If you live in a big city like I do, you can put your reusable bags on the curb with a “FREE” sign (and be amazed by how quickly they disappear). Also, Goodwill accepts reusable bag donations. And ChicoBag will accept reusable bags by mail (in any condition!) and donate them or recycle them into new products.
How Do I Organize Reusable Bags?
Your first line of defense in reusable bag organization is this: stop accepting free reusable bags. Once you’ve pared down your collection you don’t need any more bags. Just like anything else, reusable bags require energy and resources to manufacture so hoarding them is actually not eco-friendly.
Once you’ve decided on your small collection of bags, fold or roll them up and keep them contained! I like to store them in a basket near the front door and keep a few in my car.
If you find that you never have a reusable bag when you actually need one, keep a small, foldable one in your purse. Baggu is great because it’s compact, lightweight, and washable.
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