I think we are all becoming more and more conscious of the terrible effect that one use plastic is having on our environment. The oceans are filling up with debris. Small plastic particles are making their way into our drinking water and food supply. Not to mention how this affects marine life too.  It’s really getting pretty serious. With our eco friendly reusable grocery bags you can become a part of the solution. Please take a look and see what bags seem suitable for you.

1. Hemp Go Green Heavy Duty Shopping Bag

100% Hemp, Very Strong, Sustainable.

The Best Bits:

  • Buy Here
  • 100% hemp
  • Eco friendly
  • Super Strong: 3x stronger than cotton
  •  12″W x 6.5″D x 16.5″H
  • Can machine wash and air dry
  • Chic design
  • Sustainability & fair labor practices

Things to Think About:

  • Not lightweight
  • Takes a few washes to become flexible
  • More expensive than other bags
  • Some customers say the bag is quite narrow

Why on Our List?

  • Sustainable manufacturing practices and fair labour conditions are high point scoring attributes for me. 
  • 100% hemp material also helps to put this bag at the top of our eco-friendly reusable shopping bag list.
  • Hemp Go Green offer another tote bag that is significantly wider. 

2. Hem & Harvest Reusable Bag (5 reusable grocery bags)

100% cotton. Classic Style. Variety of Colours Available

The Best Bits:

  • Buy Here
  • 100% natural cotton
  • 12oz canvas
  • Bigger bags are 15″ x 11″ x 6″
  • 3 different types of bag
  • Double stitched
  • Cross stitched handles
  • Hold up to 50 lbs
  • Variety of colours
  • Eco-friendly
  • Easy to store and clean

Things To Think About:

  • Large volume may or may not be suitable
  • Heavy duty fabric (they aren’t featherweight)

Why On Our List? 

  • I love the tasteful, classic look.
  • They are durable as well as lightweight.
  • With five different bags you have one for every situation.
  • Eco-friendly and reusable.

3. TBF (Pack of 12) Jute/Burlap Tote Bags Soft Cotton Handles Laminated Interior (Medium, Natural)

The Best Bits:

  • Buy Here
  • 100% natural jute burlap
  • 12″ x 12″ x 7.75″
  • Rustic look
  • Durable and eco-friendly
  • Soft cotton handles
  • Laminated interior
  • Strengthened outer lining
  • Pack of 12
  • Great value

Things To Think About:

  • Dated/basic look (although I like that)
  • Can shed fibres
  • 12 pack might be too many for some people

Why On Our List? 

  • Old school rustic, timeless, charm floats my boat.
  • This one score high on eco-friendliness.

4. Nook theory reusable Grocery Bags – 100% Cotton 12Oz Canvas Grocery Bags with Handles

100% Cotton, Strong, Stylish, Variety of Colours Available

The Best Bits

  • Buy Here
  • 100% natural 12oz cotton canvas
  • 15″ x 15″ x 10″
  • Eco-friendly
  • Durable and sturdy
  • Up to 80 pounds of groceries
  • 7 compartments & 2 side pockets
  • 2 lengths of handles
  • Variety of colours
  • Easy to store and clean
  • Expands to take more shopping

Things To Think About: 

  • May be too large for some people’s needs.
  • Not as lightweight as some other reusable grocery bags.

Why on Our List?

  • I seem to be choosing all the bags on this list for their looks and this one too!
  • Lovely soft yet highly durable cotton makes this bag a great choice.
  • Not sure I could lift 80 pounds but these bags can handle that weight.

5. KAF Home Jute Market Tote Bag

The Best Bits

  • Buy Here
  • Eco-friendly (made from 100% jute)
  • Dimensions: 12.5 inches tall x 17 inches wide x 7 inches deep
  • Weight capacity: 20-25 pounds of groceries
  • Durable
  • Spacious
  • Stylish (comes in a variety of prints and designs)
  • Affordable
  • Water-resistant coating
  • Reinforced bottom
  • Interior zipper pocket
  • Comfortable handles

Things To Think About

  • Not lined
  • Spot clean only, no machine washing
  • Fibres tend to shed from jute bags

Why on our List? 

  • You may notice, looking at my list, that I love Jute. There is something about the natural fibres that really catch my eye. This bag is no exception.
  • Many stylish and chic designs to choose from, so this bag gets onto my list with ease.
  • Be aware that there is no lining and this bag can hold only 20-25lbs.
  • This bag is really for a quick nip to the local shops for essentials.

6. ELYEEBLEE Double-Sided Canvas Tote Bags

100% Cotton. Classic and Fun! Different Colours and Designs Available

The Best Bits:

  • Buy here
  • Pack of 3
  • Made from 100% cotton
  • Reversible designs, choose depending on your mood. 
  • Many colours available
  • (13.5″ x 16″) Mid size
  • Double-deck canvas
  • Holds up to 22 lbs each.
  • Double-sided prints, cute for kids, stylish for adults

Things to Think About:

  • Hand wash only
  • No inside pockets

Why on our list:

  • 100% cotton.
  • The double designs are so fun.
  • You can switch between a bright, fun pattern and a more classic look.
  • My personal favourite is the lemon pattern. So bright and fresh looking!

7.KerKoor Reusable Organic Cotton Produce Bags – Set of 9 Cotton Mesh Bags 

The Best Bits:

  • Buy Here
  • Made from organic cotton
  • 100% net-zero & plastic-free.
  • 9 mesh bags
  • Assorted sizes for all your shopping needs
  • Easy drawstring closure
  • See-through
  • Can wash and air dry
  • Organic farming and fair labour practices.

Things to Think About:

  • Not ideal for heavy or sharp items.

Why on our list?

  • These reusable shopping bags are lightweight, sustainable and offer a variety of sizes. 
  • As an added bonus, the company uses organic farming and fair labour practices.

8.Green Bulldog Reusable Grocery Bags – (Set of 3)

Best Bits:

  • Buy Here
  • Recycled materials
  • 50lb Capacity
  • Replaces up to 5 plastic grocery bags
  • Stands by self
  • reinforced bottom
  • Folds flat, ready for any shopping spree.
  • Comfortable handles
  • Versatile style
  • Multiple uses

Things to Think About:

  • Boxy Shape might not be to everyone’s taste
  • Can’t machine wash
  • A little pricey but built to last

Why on our list?

  • OK, Ok, I know they aren’t cotton, natural fibre or hemp. However, they are made of recycled materials which is better than nothing. 
  • They have a huge capacity which makes this three bag pack enough for a family trip to the shops.

9. MERCURHOUSE 5 pack Cotton String Shopping Bags Reusable Washable Grocery Mesh Bags

100 Cotton, Lightweight, Easy To Store
  • Buy Here
  • 100% cotton
  • Holds up to 35lbs,
  • Natural & Breathable
  • Eco friendly
  • Can see what’s in your bag
  • Folds flat
  • Can stash away in small spaces
  • Company is known for quality and sustainable practices.

Things to Think About:

  • Hand wash only
  • For small to medium loads. 
  • No pockets or compartments

Why on our list?

  • As you know, natural fibres get my vote, so these 100% cotton bags make my list. 
  • I also love how they are so lightweight and can be stored away in a very small space. 

10. Eco Friends Foldable Cotton Grocery Bags

The Best Bits:

  • Buy Here
  • Natural Cotton
  • 15″x18″
  • Reinforced stitching
  • 35lbs load
  • Brilliant roll up feature (store in tiny space)
  • Eco Friends tries for sustainability & fair labour practices.

Things to Think About:

  • Hand wash to give the bags a longer life 
  • No pockets or compartments. 
  • Small to medium loads

Why on our list?

  • Another 100% cotton and natural fibre bag gets my seal of approval.
  • Lightweight and easy to carry about.
  • Amazing rollup and store feature.

# Tips To Choose The Best Eco Friendly Reusable Grocery Bags

Material:

  • Select reusable bags made from sustainable materials. For example organic cotton, hemp, jute, or recycled plastic.
  • If possible, avoid the recycled plastic and opt for the other materials.

Durability:

  • Search for bags with reinforced stitching, double-stitched seams, and sturdy handles.
  • This ensures that they can handle the weight of your groceries.

Size and Capacity:

  • Imagine the size and weight of your usual shopping.
  • Choose bags that can take your needs.
  • Get a selection of sizes, including small produce bags, medium tote bags, and large shopping bags.

Design and Functionality

  • Choose bags that are easy to use.
  • Look out for features like long handles and the ability to expand.
  • Multiple pockets for organising smaller items can be handy too.

Certification

  • Look for bags that are certified by organisations. E.G.
  • The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for organic cotton, or the Recycled Content Standard (RCS) for recycled materials.

Eco-friendly Packaging and Shipping

  • Choose brands that prioritise eco-friendly packaging and shipping practices.
  • If possible, use brands that use recycled materials for packaging.

Ethical Production

  • Try to support brands that prioritise ethical production practices.
  • Look for brands that get materials from sustainable sources, pay fair wages to workers, and maintain good working conditions.

Care and Maintenance

  • To expand lifespan, hand wash or machine wash on a gentle cycle using eco-friendly detergents. 
  • Avoid harsh chemicals and excessive heat.

Multi-purpose Use

  • Choose bags that can be used for various purposes beyond grocery shopping. 
  • Consider bags that can also be used for carrying books, clothes, or other items, reducing the need for multiple bags.

Community Impact

  • Support brands that give back to the community or have initiatives aimed at environmental sustainability. 
  • Look for brands that donate proceeds to environmental causes or promote sustainable practices in their communities.