Paper or plastic? That question is just so outre. Take a look at the facts in this comprehensive Treehugger article on paper and plastic bags http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/07/paper-bags-or-plastic-bags-everything-you-need-to-know.php, and you'll realize why carrying a reusable shopping bag has recently become so ridiculously hip. Frankly, we can't afford not to make this stuff trendy.
So jump on the bandwagon, EcoStilettoista! We've got a round-up's and giveaways and discounts of the hottest reusable shopping bags, guaranteed to slow down the warming of the planet.
First off has got to be www.envirosax.com, which just came out with the cutest Mikado collection of Japanese-inspired designs. We love these bags because they wrap tight (like a retractable umbrella) so you can easily throw one in your bag to pull out whenever you need it. If you're an EcoStiletto newsletter subscriber, send us an email with your address and "envirosax" in the subject line by end of day on Thursday, September 18th and you could be one of five lucky winners to get one!
Need a tote to take to the farmer's market this weekend that you can load up with end-of-season succulents and top off with a charming bouquet of leeks peeking out the back? The Large Tie Totes from www.halftheskydesigns.com, are made of recycled plastic juice pouches and are the perfect size and shape for pretty much anything. Through October 15th, use the code "ECOSTIL" and you get 10% off!
The Carry Eco bag from www.tokyobayinc.com goes the extra mile by making their bags from sustainable materials in an eco-friendly manufacturing facility, which has been ethically audited by Bureau Veritas Group. Another pocket pal, this bag folds back into its interior 4x6 pocket until it's about the size of the phone you carried during the dot-com boom.
We love the descriptions of what www.rumebags.com can carry: 50 pounds of stuff or 40 tennis balls or, obviously, a whole helluva lot of groceries. And three of them fold up to the size of a cup of coffee. Meaning you have no more excuses for forgetting your bags in the car.
www.mybagcares.com bags do just that and challenge other shoppers with a hang tag that asks, "What does your bag do?" Plus, through the Arbor Day foundation, they donate a tree for every bag sold. We've got the cutest My Bag Cares to give away if you're an EcoStiletto newsletter subscriber, send us an email with your address and "my bag cares" in the subject line by end of day on Thursday, September 18th and you could win it! Plus, if you mention "EcoStiletto" in the "How did you hear about us?" section when you buy one, they'll plant not one but two trees in honor of your purchase. How cool is that?
Okay this Rebecca Minkoff http://www.rebeccaminkoff.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc shopper isn't made from sustainable materials; in fact it's canvas accented by leather. But with "wine" and "bread" emblazoned in gold on the baguette-shaped outside pockets as if to remind you that you should really be shopping in France, it's so damn cute we figure you'll use it any chance you get, thereby totally eliminating paper and plastic waste from your lifestyle.
In case you'd forgotten why you headed to the market in the first place, SKN's line of sturdy cotton shoppers are emblazoned with vaguely Marimekko, truly awesome prints of lemons, blueberries, carrots and more. Through September 30th, get 10% off at www.getskyn.com by typing in "ecostiletto" at checkout. And if you're an EcoStiletto newsletter subscriber, send us an email with your address and "skyn" in the subject line by end of day on Thursday, September 18th and you be one of two lucky winners to get an adorable veggie bag!
We've got giveaways and discounts on pretty much every reusable bag in the bunch, so read up at EcoStiletto Good Life on how to get you some!
EcoStiletto.com gives you the lowdown on how to reduce your carbon footprint from a ginormous Ugg to an oh-so-slender Manolo, with updates on green fashion, beauty, lifestyle, celebrities, and more, plus a free weekly newsletter with information on discounts, eco-swag, and go-to green events nationwide. Stiletto-size me!