The Most Practical and Convenient Reusable Bag to Make Plastic Bag-Free Shopping Easy

This reusable bag is small enough to fit in just about any size bag you carry with you everyday, making refusing plastic bags while out shopping super easy!

Posted by Shea on April 5, 2014

Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail

It was a recent comment posted after my Plastic Bag-Free Shopping story which firstly gave me something to ponder, then became the topic for this reusable bag post…

“Those who have ducked in to pick up a few things from the shops on their way home is almost a different target market from what is spoken about in this blog”

The comment came from a lady who was sharing her observations while commuting home on a train. Her discussion was comparing the lifestyle differences of people who shop on a weekly basis with people who are perhaps cooking for one, maybe two people and dropping into the supermarket to buy bits and pieces when they finish work.

She brought my attention to the fact that packing a reusable bag in your boot before you set out to do your grocery shopping is all well and good but, what is the alternative to using plastic bags when you find yourself popping into a shop unexpectedly?

Forward-thinking people tend to approach a problem with a solution already in hand which was certainly the case here. The story continued and mentioned handy reusable bags which fold up into roughly business card size and fit unobtrusively into a bag or backpack – ready when you need it!

Must Read: Starters Kit – 5 Reusable Items to Replace Single-use Plastic

Hunting for the Most Practical and Convenient Reusable Bag

Since the intention CWMS is in fact to find solutions for a broad target market, this question was at the forefront of my mind on approach to the Planet Eumundi stall at Eumundi Markets. Linda quickly introduced herself and passionately educated our group on the brand ‘Onya‘ and the reusable, environmentally friendly products they sell.

This post is my homework completed as ‘unintentionally’ set by this insightful reader…

Introducing the Onya Reusable Bag

This Company originally began making the bags out of recycled parachute material
They are now using RPET – Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate – i.e. recycled plastic bottles. This is what ensures they are super strong and durable
The brand supplies a broad range of reusable products; bags, backpacks, mesh produce bags, stainless drink bottles and coffee mugs
Proudly endorsed by Planet Ark
The Onya reusable bags fold inside themselves and come with a handy clip. This YouTube video shows just how compact they are – size is everything, especially since the purpose of this ‘Hunter Gather’ was to find something easy to cart everywhere, ready for emergencies!!

If you find yourself at the Eumundi Markets (and you should they are fab!) say “hi” to Linda for me and tell her you read about her stand through this blog. Otherwise, you can visit her website to order anything you need.

Alternatively, there is a long list of Australia wide stockists you can check out through the Onya company website as well as Biome, our preferred Eco Store.

Researching Reusable Bag Homework Complete

A thank you must be said to our reader for taking the time to write about her observations. Our family all have a reusable bag attached each time we leave the house. They also come in very handy for all those ‘things’ one finds themselves carrying upon setting out on an outing with the children….

Must Read: I’m Talking Rubbish – An Introduction to the Situation of Plastic Pollution

Mission accomplished?

The lesson learned here is to successfully say No to Plastic Bags you have to have your alternatives ready – Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail!

There are so many reusable bags on the market from a large range of companies.

Have you found a favourite?

Now, some homework for you – please share with us via the comment section below or head over to our Facebook page where you can leave a message, upload a picture or both, to report your findings. Or alternatively, you can leave a recommendation over at our Instagram account.

What a great opportunity to collect lots of independent reviews in a central location!!!