Its true that reusable shopping bags are better for the environment than one-time-use plastic bags.
Unless you have a large household and use them frequently, its best to pare down.
Fill a few with clothes or toys to donate and drop them off.
Credit:Adam Albright
Most donation centers will accept the bags, too.
Some bags, such as bulky insulated bags or flimsy net bags, wont fold well or at all.
But most reusable shopping bags are fairly uncomplicated to collapse.
Credit:Marty Baldwin
From here, you have two options.
The first is to fold from the bottom to the top in thirds.
Then, fold over the sides and use the handle to secure it together.
Again, wrap the handles around the newly formed square so it stays put.
Marty Baldwin
Smart Ways to Store Tote Bags
1.
Create a Bag of Bags
This method is simple and also incredibly easy to maintain.
Not to mention, it requires no additional organizing supplies.
Hows that forzero waste?
After youve sorted through the bags you want to keep, put the largest tote to the side.
Fold the rest and pile them into the one you left out.
If you have too many to fit, consider paring down more or creating two filled bags.
If you have an extra one lying around, repurpose it for folded bags instead.
Otherwise, you canput an old file sorter to usethats been collecting dust in your home office.
This option is best for busy families.
Attach the file box wherever it will remind you to take your bags with you on shopping adventures.
Hang Bags Near the Entryway
Need only a few reusable bags handy?
Dedicate a hook in an entry hall, coat closet, or mudroom to hang them.
This is a great option for tote bags that dont fold well, like ones made of mesh netting.
This visual way to store reusable bags decreases the likelihood of forgetting them as you leave the house.
Use inexpensive S hooks to hang bags off the side of a shelving unit.
This also works well for larger insulated bags so they dont take up too much space inside the house.
Create a bag of bags and drape it over a hook on the back of the passenger seat.
That is, so long as you remember toorganize them in the carafter youve unpacked your new finds.
