Comments on: An organic cotton nut sack (Day 316)…

By: Quick Green Reads For The Weekend Volume Forty Eight. | The Good Human

Quick Green Reads For The Weekend Volume Forty Eight. | The Good Human — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:01:17 +0000

[...] the plastic fruit and vegetable bags in the grocery store is difficult – unless you are Green as a Thistle and you look for a better alternative. I have to get on the ball and get some of these [...]

By: The Biscuit Queen

The Biscuit Queen — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:45:33 +0000

Can you use plain paper lunch bags for bulk foods? Maybe the store would be willing to stock some.

If you go to a fabric store and get unbleached muslin those should work great for the reusable bags, and muslin is very inexpensive. You may also be able to find fabric at Goodwill or Salvation Army.

By: cynthia

cynthia — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:09:30 +0000

i QUADRUPLE – DOG dare you!

Go girl!!

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:05:46 +0000

Hi Vanessa. I use the same cotton bags. In fact, when I table at Farmer's Markets with Green Sangha, these are the very bags we give out. I write the product code on the bag with a PENCIL. It works and comes off easily. Also, note that the tag inside the bag gives the tare weight. Be sure and ask the cashier to deduct that weight from the total so you're not paying for the weight of the bag. Another tip: You can keep veggies fresh in these bags in the refrigerator if you dampen them first.

By: The Shopping Sherpa

The Shopping Sherpa — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:19:56 +0000

I’ve just discovered this pattern http://www.circleoflifefoundation.org/action/arts/bag/index.htm and plan to use some second hand net curtaining that a friend found for me at an op shop to make some bags up.

Another option is to reuse the cloth bags that bulk basmati rice comes in. They have zips and handles and would be perfect. Except I give them to the same friend to use as knitting project bags… :-}

By: kimberly

kimberly — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:09:05 +0000

arduous: i think the twisty tie things she’s referring to are the plastic ones you see on bread bags, except the end of it’s long and made of paper so you can write the price code on it for the cashier to see.

By: Esme

Esme — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:43:28 +0000

I’d go with the old pillowcase idea. Reusing and repurposing is even better than buying new, I think. Oh, and I know it might be a bit pricey but go and find latex surgical tubing to wrap and tie around boxes for packing. It flattens (so the boxes stack well), is infinitely reusable, is a natural material, and can be used as a clamp for fixing stuff as well! Lee Valley sells it but maybe you can get it cheaper from Starckman’s medical supply.

By: crstn85

crstn85 — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:05:55 +0000

In college they didn’t let students take out food in their own container directly from the buffet. But, if you put the food on a plate and then put it into your personal container, that was okay. Maybe those stores worried about contamination would let you put things into one of their bags, and then into yours. You could give back their bag, or pass it on to another customer secretly if they don’t want the bag back.

By: anon

anon — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:26:31 +0000

I was going to suggest the Grassroots mesh bags as well. Yes, they have their limits, but they’re awesome at what they do. (Bonus: You can wash a lot of fruits/veggies while they’re in the bag.)

For grains and other small things, can I suggest jars? Much more convenient for access in your cupboard, and you can bring them to the bulk store to fill.

By: blah

blah — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:20:55 +0000

Why don’t you make good use of a pillow case? You already likely have several around the house, they are lightweight, sturdy, and you can reuse them. Either that, or take an old shirt that you’re not wild about and convert it into a bag? There is minimal sewing required if you do it right and you will be giving new life to something you would have not had a use for.