Honoring July 3rd – Plastic Bag Free Day & the Other 364
If you won’t read past the title, that’s the essence. Foldable bags are a cheap, long-lasting, accessible cure for single-use plastic bags.
One disposable plastic bag, after 12 minutes of average usage… degrades in up to 1000 years, leaking toxins along the way. As if that’s not bad enough, some bags cause extra harm in the process. 3000 disposable plastic bags or less painfully kill elephants or camels, and one could kill smaller animals, so… “It is just a plastic bag is never the right statement!”
When we wear a light, foldable tote bag attached to our outfit, we are never caught empty-handed at store checkout, and we won’t accept single-use plastic bags ever again. Crisis averted!
If you don’t have a foldable bag yet, get one or make one – and then secure it with a loop to your belongings.
“I don’t need one, I always keep an extra bag in my purse/ in my car!”
That is meaningful! But… foldable bags amplify the value of your Earth-loving stance. If we wear a foldable bag placed in a visible spot – even when we don’t shop – we promote the simplest thing that will help even the forgetful ones to protect the planet.
I speak from experience – I keep being asked* what is that heart-shaped object attached to my outfit, confirming that not enough people know about these bags, just like I didn’t either a few years back. Indeed, they are truly underrated – also, icebreakers*!
A foldable bag is a valuable tool with a double purpose – immediate usage, and extended-release, like a pill – promoting the concept 24/7/365. It is a lightweight practical…. fashion accessory. While some wear fake raccoon tails, a quarter pound of key chains, or large cell phone blings … let us wear Compassionate Earth Fashion!
Dilemma
I’m quoting the real estate agents here, since an important detail in this story is “location, location, location!”. I live in one of only twelve U.S. states with a plastic bag ban! Starting in 2020, NYC was supposed to eliminate them.
In 2025, well over ten thousand businesses still give them away for free… Very often, people accept them. Some don’t think much of it, while others mumble, “It’s okay this time. I’ll reuse it.” I know, because I did that, too – while waiting for shops to deplete their stashes. (I also carry a quarter pound of key chains!)
It was late 2020 when I realized their inventories couldn’t be so large, because, you see, the same real estate agents will certify that space in NYC is an issue. These shops were replenishing their reserves all along! I then understood that regardless if Earth-loving laws exist or not, people disagreeing with ‘the cycle’… must break it! I was thinking of myself, and it worked – as that was a profound a-ha moment followed by immediate action.
The Lesson Learned
Right away, I threw an extra bag inside my main bag. Problem #1 – it was a bit bulky. Problem #2 – after unloading the groceries, I frequently forgot to put it back.
I then resorted to a foldable bag, the size of a small avocado. That solved the space- related inconvenience, but it wasn’t long until I lost it. Being so light, I didn’t perceive the moment it fell out of my handbag.
Next, I found another foldable bag in my belongings. After analyzing the situation, I connected it with a loop to my outfit! That worked wonderfully – I never lost it, and Problem #2 didn’t happen anymore when I quickly developed the habit of catching a glimpse of its presence on my way out the door!
‘Make a Loop, Baby!’
I became such a big believer in the power of these bags that I raised funds, and gifted a few hundred of them to strangers!
I couldn’t figure out the brand of my own sturdy bag, but I didn’t expect to receive anything different once I placed the first order. Wasn’t I wrong! The quality was horrible, and each bag came with a small carabiner. As an environmentalist, I wasn’t into adding unnecessary objects, and small carabiners break fast, causing bag loss. Not on my watch! (Foldable bags sold in separate, detachable pouches are also prone to getting lost.)
The next small batch (for the same price of $4 per item) looked better, but the bag I tested daily ripped beyond repair after one month. I was already handing them out, so I got very unhappy – my dream was to offer good quality products.
Soon, the Universe answered this dream with precision! As I took a seat in a waiting room, I found waiting for me on the closest chair (no pun intended)… a foldable bag. It fit in my budget, and had the NY Health Department logo on it. Being a bag-detective, I concluded that (1) it must have passed the quality test of NY officials (many months of usage confirmed that), and (2) people neglect freebies. The latter wasn’t going to change my plan, but I understood it was essential to gift them with a clear message – (1) explain why these bags are important, and (2) why the receiver is crucial, as well. Also, (3) show them how to attach the bags immediately with a loop.
I then ordered a larger batch, and gifted them to people of all ages, including school children. In the kids’ case, (4) I added a pledge!
I bought green and blue bags (like the planet), and pink (love-vibes). And since they were blank, I felt inspired to add text. However, at that stage, printing was pricier than the bags, therefore, I decided to paint them myself (requiring a few rounds of ironing, as well…). Due to limiting issues with my hands, neck, and back, that wasn’t going to be easy, so I picked the most meaningful, short word I could think of, a.k.a. the eco-quiz in the picture – and painted around 270 bags! If you appreciate the effort – thank you – but I won’t know it. Yet, when you type your answer to the quiz under this article, I’ll ‘hear’ you!
The Moral
This quick story, summing up a few years of observations and frustrations, should save you time in case you agree that foldable tote bags are an underrated tool for eco-progress. The trials led me to the best quality product for the lowest price – made of polyester… One good quality polyester bag (think ‘years of usage’) is less bulky when folded compared to a cotton bag; also, less expensive, and possibly more durable.
Not everyone can readily buy foldable bags made of recycled materials, so, please, let’s leave double standards at the door for now… Truth be told, we have lots of polyester in our lives – such as umbrellas, pieces of luggage, bathing suits, curtains, raincoats, etc. Until a less pricey, high-quality eco-fabric becomes available, let’s embrace these bags. (If you have tips on practical bags; good quality and price –
leave a comment.)
Meanwhile, the bags I successfully tested are made by Gemline. I later discovered a website selling them in bulk, cheaper than the producer – with printing included! No, I don’t ‘have a deal’ with these companies – the following will help clarify why I bring up larger amounts.
Formulas for Spreading Earth-Love
1. Get a foldable bag, and gift a few if you can. (Transform preexisting bags by sewing an inner pocket- perfect for folding and tucking the bag into itself. For easy closing, sew around the upper edge of the pocket a drawstring with a stopper from an old jacket. Tie a secure knot connecting the ends of the strings to prevent bag loss.)
2. At work – suggest gifting foldable bags to co-workers and clients/partners; they make long-lasting business cards.
3. Suggest that your workplace donate bags to a nearby school (tax-deductible). These are walking business cards, and a great gift for children – wear them attached to their backpacks. If you are a parent, try organizing this initiative alone or with others, by chipping a few dollars each. 100 bags cost under $500 – the return on investment for the kids is priceless since it is measured in inspiring them long-term. (Print an Earth-loving message!) Later, teachers could ask them about their feelings, ideas, and observations.
4. Suggest the same to coffee shops/corner stores/ restaurants. Optional but recommended – direct 10 percent to a fund meant for gifting bags to children at a school in the area. That’s the best publicity, boosting sales, since community members might support that. (The first wave of clients will likely be school staff and parents! Local media could share the initiative; everyone loves happy eco-news, no pun intended.)
5. At the grocery store, refuse disposable bags and gently explain why (if needed, show them this article). Suggest selling foldable tote bags with their logo on, and creating a school-fund; inform customers.
6. Hotels – gift one bag per guest in the cost of the room; sell more as souvenirs.
7. Bars and nightclubs – include these bags occasionally in the ticket price; also sell them as ‘merch’ same with artists/bands). Throw occasional events where patrons wearing foldable bags get in for free (reduced price) all night/ before midnight, or can bring a plus one.
8. Manufactures, seamtresses, tailors – produce and sell foldable tote bags; use refurbished fabrics when possible.
There are many simple ways to spread Earth love with these underrated bags. If the above may seem too complicated, sharing this article is good enough – it could help others! If you want to do something eco-relevant, yet as quick as a few clicks… sign and share this petition supporting a clean Earth! Thank you, and Happy Plastic Bag-Free Day this July 3rd, and ever after!
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