How many reusable bags do you own?

[HIU8]

and where do you keep them?

My county just instituted a 5 cent charge for bags (plastic and paper). I have about 10 reusable bags in the trunk of my car. However, I keep forgetting to bring them into the store with me. To make matters worse, this new "law" is not just for food, it's for everything. I need my own bags to go shopping at the mall (yes, I can pay for their bags, but at this point why). I just need to remember to actually bring my own bags in. I do have one bag that I can collapse small enough to fit into my purse (free from Target a while back). My others are not able to do this though. Any idea of where to get a bag that can fold down to nothing and fit in my purse?

[rlu]

I have 5 environsax bags that I love. They roll up small enough to fit in my hand/pocket/purse and they came in a sack that stays in my car. I don't use these for groceries though.

For groceries I have about 5 canvas and two plastic "Lucky supermarket" bags. Most of these were either free (I think my safeway ones from 10 years ago...) or about $1 each.

eta: link http://www.envirosax.com/ I got mine on sale somewhere so they were closer to $4 each (with shipping), I definitely think they were worth the $$.

The largest city around us just did away with plastic bags (except takeout and the produce bags) and there is a .10 charge for paper. (The BOE put out a notice that the .10 charge is not taxable, that's something huh?)

[TwinFoxes]

These are great, they fold down into their own little pocket.

http://www.flipandtumble.com/

For groceries, I like the Ikea bags that are shaped like paper grocery bags, with handles, which are $1.99. I use the blue TJs insulated bag for cold foods.

As for how many I have, too many according to DH. ;)

ETA: these are the Ikea ones I have, I was mistaken they are $.99. Mine are green though.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40174244/

[sariana]

I was at Target a few days ago. I saw what I thought was a coupon holder, about the size of a wallet, you know? It actually was a reusable bag folded up (with a Velcro tab, I think?). Would something like that work for you?

(Oh, I just re-read your post. I wonder if what I saw was the same as the freebie you got? These were not free.)

I don't know how big it was opened though. I didn't buy one. I have 4 reusable bags that I use for groceries, though I need some new ones as mine are starting to fall apart.

I keep them in the back of my SUV. (Hey, hey, it's a hybrid!)

[vludmilla]

I absolutely LOVE my Envirosax bags too. I have probably 5-6 of them and I always have a couple in my bag. I have given them as gifts too and received feedback that others love them too.

[kijip]

I have 5 flip and tumbles plus 2 ikea bags plus a free random grocery bags. The flip and tumbles are AWESOME and meet your stuff in purse thing perfectly. They stuff into a little attached pouch on the shoulder strap. They are large. I can do a lot of shopping with those 5 bags.

[Melaine]

So how often do you guys wash these? I just keep thinking I need better ones because if I used them the way I should, then they would have worn out. I have freebies though from tradeshows.

[Aishe]

I have a few of these and they're great. They fold up very small, weigh nothing, and are cheap to boot. Reuseit.com often has a coupon for a free one with qualifying purchase.

http://www.reuseit.com/store/reuseit-workhorse-original-bluesign-fabric-p-2391.html?slave_id=2393

[o_mom]

I have one of these that came free with an order I placed: http://www.reuseit.com/store/reuseit-workhorse-original-bluesign-fabric-p-2391.html

I really like it, but the $5.95 price (+ S&H) kept me from ordering more.

I now have three of these: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40210063/

Which were $0.50 each with an IKEA family card. They aren't quite as flexible and a touch smaller, but the price was right. I have finally figured out how to refold them as well, so I'm really liking them.

[o_mom]

So how often do you guys wash these? I just keep thinking I need better ones because if I used them the way I should, then they would have worn out. I have freebies though from tradeshows.

Rarely - I figure almost everything I put in them is in another bag or box. If something happens to leak or they get dirty, then I wash, but not often.

[TwinFoxes]

Melaine, I only wash my insulated one by wiping it down with cloth with anti-bac on it. I don't do it with the bags I use for dry goods.

[Globetrotter]

They have taken over my car and hallway, but I love them and use them extensively!

For groceries, I have a Costco insulated bag with about six cloth bags inside, plus the cloth produce bags. For other merchandise, I have a few huge Container store bags (free with my closet systems) and several others, from freebies to nice ones. I also store a lot of things in these bags, ex. one for dd's room decorating stuff. I hardly ever get bags from stores, anymore.

[elliput]

We have a bunch. I don't even know how many! I don't have any of the super compact, fit into a purse type though. Both DH and I keep them in the cars, using one bag to hold the others. Then we grab what we think we will need for that trip. We both have an odd collection of different sizes too.

[mom2binsd]

I love my Meijier blue bags, for .99 they are heavy duty and last forever, and they have these corner inserts that keep the wine bottles or tall items separate and even an outer pocket for magazines.

I have spot cleaned one that got some milk on it but have had them for two years and they have held up great.

TJMaxx has super cute ones, they are huge though, for 1.99 not really for groceries, I use mine as a pool tote.

[LD92599]

The reusable bags are my new souvenir of choice when we go somewhere - seems a ton of tourist places have them now so it's the most useful, least caloric and cheap souvenir ever!

I have a TON of bags and use them for alot more than just groceries.

[connor_mommy]

I have too many to count. I kept envirosax bags in my purse for shopping at the mall. I have separate ones that I use for groceries. I still ask for plastic or paper bags for my meat products. Most of the stores around here ask if I want a separate bag for it. I should store some extra plastic bags in my reusable bags for an extra layer around the meat stuff.

[hillview]

I have 10 environsax and about maybe 8 other bags around. I bring them about 50% of the time -- the rest of the time I NEED the paperbags from Whole Foods for our recycling (need a new plan there). I put them in my purse or give them to DC to make it his job to bring them in when we shop.

[essnce629]

I have 3 ChicoBags that fold down really tiny to keep as an extra in my diaper bag/purse (I only keep one in my bag): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ZV91T0

But for regular grocery shopping I have a set of 4 Earth Totes that I really like: http://www.reuseit.com/store/reuseit-earthtote-original-p-10.html?slave_id=80, an insulated Trader Joes bag, and another large insulated tote bag from Land's End (I prefer the TJ's one though for cold stuff).

I also have a set of these produce bags that I really like: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UXQ7QQ