Bag it
When you start looking into the statistics of world wide plastic bag usage it’s all quite alarming. Australians alone use a staggering 6.9 billion plastic bags each year (326 per person) and world wide it is now estimated that consumption is at well over 500 billion plastic bags annually (1 million per minute).
While more and more stores are providing cheap, reusable shopping bags in an effort to cut down on the waste, there are still many more who aren’t. So obviously the solution is to take your own–and make your own!
A collection of crochet, string bags are definitely handy because a bunch of them can be stashed away, barely taking up any room until needed. The Classic Open Tote is a good sturdy option with appropriately strong, reinforced handles. My favourite shopping accessory is definitely an insulated, waterproof bag - perfect for keeping freezer section goods cooler for a little longer. This insulated lunch-sack pattern can be easily adapted to suit your needs by enlarging and adding some reinforced handles (see the Classic Open Tote pattern).
And if you can’t avoid accepting a plastic bag next time you’re at the supermarket, you can always take it home and recycle it into a tank top, hat, or even just fill it with helium.
