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Purple Diamonds Reusable Shopping Bag

This bags folds into a small pouch, which can fit into a coat pocket or a small purse. When the bag is open, this pocket will serve as an extra compartment for storage.

Folds into its own compact pocket
Stain resistant
Hand wash in cold water with biodegradable detergent
Air dry
Color: Purple
Other Colors available: Ruby, Chocolate, Sage, and Light Copper
Dimensions: 27” x 17.5”
Weighs around 3 oz.

MOB-0104
Also available in Ruby, Sage, Light Copper and Chocolate

Retail Price: $49

Purple DiamondsReusable Shopping Bag, by My Own Bag. Stylish way to reduce pollution caused by plastic bags. This bag can hold 25 pounds yet collapses into a 3 oz. pouch you can easliy slip into your purse or pocket. Great for grocery or retail shopping. It's also great for travel, errands, or to carry your gym shoes. It's a great lightweight bag that will become your favorite accessory.

What difference can one person really make by switching to reusable shopping bags?
We often ask ourselves this question. Can we really make a difference with this small act of reducing? The answer is absolutely.
I grew up in Eastern Europe, where we always used reusable shopping bags. That was the only option. Moving to a country that gives the bags away seemed like a luxury, until I found myself with hundreds of plastic bags in my house. I even though of getting a shopping bag organizer. I was reluctant to throw away the plastic bags thinking that I would reuse them in some way. These bags could have their uses, but if you live in a place like San Francisco, you really don't need them.
Our garbage in the city is collected in three bins: Recycling, Trash, and Compost. I don't use garbage bags to line any of them. I simply have buckets that I can take to the containers, empty, refill. You get the idea. No need to line the buckets with plastic.
Some people mention that you can use plastic bags for pet litter, but actually, you can use product packaging, such as those from paper towels, tea boxes, bread, etc& Everything is wrapped in plastic. We can't seem to get away from plastic. There is plenty of it to reuse, you don't need the plastic bags.
So I started using reusable shopping bags in the 90's again. It proved to be wonderful. My house is free of plastic and paper shopping bags, I can use these bags also on camping trips, errands, and yes I do carry my laptop in one, but that's only because I have not found a great lightweight laptop bag.
These bags have reduced the trash in my home and best of all, I have become acutely aware of how each purchase and things I use contribute to the pollution. It has made me reduce spending on other things that are rarely used. I make sure that I get a lot of value from the things I do buy. By choosing to use reusable shopping bags I think about the little changes I can make everyday to lead a more sustainable life.
People often strike up a conversation wondering where I got the bags or saying how nice they are. A reusable shopping bag is used more often than many other bags that one owns, so why not make it something that's really special and fun to use. You might as well enjoy your good habits.
So here are some statistics to help you realize at how big of a difference you make when you use your own reusable shopping bag:

Plastic Bags saved: Over 300
Paper bags saved: Over 50
Boutique and Department store bags: Over 12 (and that may be just during the Christmas season)
Air pollution from manufacturing
Transportation and fuel costs from delivery to stores

You'll take comfort in knowing that trees are not being cut down so you can have a shopping bag to take your groceries in. No animal is being killed so that you can use a plastic bag.
You can really make a difference. Not only in your own lifestyle and habits, but you can plant seeds for thought with your family and friends.

Looking for ideas to make a smaller footprint on the planet? Visit our Lifestyle ideas page.