(pictures from Notcot)

Target has teamed up with Newsweek and Terracycle to make Retotes, an interesting reusable bag program.  Basically, the Retote is made of used, recycled Target bags that have been returned to the store then Terracycle turns them into reusable shopping bags.  If you pick up Newsweeks April 15, 2008 issue, “Environment & Leadership: Who’s the Greenest of Them All?”, you will find that the cover doubles as an envelope that you can use to send in and get a coupon for a free Retote (which retail for $6).  Kind of a production to get one reusable bag, but the target label adorned bags are popular and we have to give them credit for the creative promotion.  Also, head on over to Terracycle and read about their story, they have some interesting ideas about eco-capitalism.

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I love these new Flip & Tumble bags! They are super stylish, and add a cool twist (or I guess I should say flip) on the boring old reusable bag. The Flip & Tumble bags have a stretchy pouch sewn on the inside of the bag that lets you quickly ball it up like a pair of socks. I find this particularly useful. My old reusable bags (they are old school canvas totes I’ve been using for years) hang in my coat closet until its time to go to the store but I only have them when my shopping trip is planned. Now I keep two in my bag and two in my glove box so I’ll never get caught empty bagged.

Read On…

Envirosax graphic series pouches contain 5 uniquely designed reusable bags.  The pouch is small enough to fit in your glove box or medium sized tote, so you’ll always have a chic eco-friendly alternative to disposable shopping bags right at your finger tips.  Pictured above is the Mikado series featuring fun yet simple Japanese design.

Paper or Plastic? Neither… is displayed on the new reusable shopping bags from Wal-Mart. The bags cost $1 a piece and are available near the checkout area at the store. In the US, we throw away an estimated 100 billion plastic bags a year. Wal-Mart’s new reusable bags are made from 85% recycled material (recycled polyethylene terephthalate or rPET) and should last long enough to replace 50 traditional plastic bags. When the bags wear out they can be returned to Wal-Mart to be recycled. This is part of a larger initiative Wal-Mart has been taking to become more “Green”. Along with the reusable shopping bags, Wal-Mart is offering “Green” consumer products which include CFL light bulbs, organic milk, reduced packaging detergent, and extended life paper products.