Top 10 Best Reusable Shopping Bags in India 2021 (Ikea, Shalimar, and more)

Before we dive into the details of reusable shopping bags and how they must be bought, let us first understand why do you need to start carrying a reusable shopping bag every time you go out to buy something. Check out these significant reasons below to find out why should you spend some money on a reusable shopping bag.

The small plastic bags that you see everywhere are horrifying offenders of the environment. They may seem insignificant, but they leave a huge environmental footprint. It's not just the harm they cause after being used. 

It requires a lot of resources and energy even to manufacture them. So, switching to a more eco-friendly option will save a huge amount of energy that is arguably wastefully spent.

The effects of plastic pollution can be disastrous. India's plastic problem is exponentially growing. The government has banned single-use plastic products, but they are only the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to be done, especially on an individual level. You can make your contribution by taking the first step - use reusable bags for all your shopping.

The plastic waste that we see lying in our city's dumping grounds is doing no good to the land, air, or water, where they eventually end up. We all have a sense of the problem, but we must also sense the responsibility and do whatever little we can on our own level.

Because they are cheap and easy to manufacture, plastic products are found everywhere, even at places they don't belong. Over 1,00,000 marine animals die every year after consuming plastic, which they mistake for food. These plastic bags also get stuck in trees in jungles, again making the ecology harmful for the wildlife there.

If you wish that these animals live in peace and without unnecessary pollution, you need to start by replacing your plastic bag with a reusable shopping bag. To get more perspective, read this news article which shows a cow that consumed 18kgs of plastic unknowingly. We all must take responsibility for such wrongdoings.

Most of the big stores and supermarkets today charge their customers for plastic or paper bags. While ₹2 or even ₹5 might not seem a lot when you shop for way more than that, this price increases for all your shopping visits. 

Also, you might need multiple bags for groceries, which means that you will have to pay for all those bags. It makes much more economic sense to buy a few reusable bags that can last you a lifetime.

This buying guide will assist you in choosing the perfect kind of reusable bag that suits your needs. You might need it for groceries, vegetable shopping, office use, etc. No matter what your needs are, this article will guide you accordingly.

There are many materials, such as jute, cotton, hemp, etc., used to make reusable bags. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Also, what you wish to use it for will decide the right bag for you. Read about the various materials to make your purchase an efficient one.

Cotton bags are the most widely available reusable bags. They are also one of the most eco-friendly bags that exist. Reusable bags made of cotton are light and fashionable. These are also the most common bags that stores charge you for. Having a few of these eco-friendly accessories can save the environment and also your expenditure. Cotton bags are easily washable but also retain the most moisture.

Hemp is a super-absorbent cloth material, which is also very durable. It is the same material as sacks. Those sacks are used to transport sand, grains, vegetables, etc., in high quantities. This shows the strength of these bags. Also, being highly absorbent, any leakage in your grocery bag would not lead to a total disaster.

These bags also have high tensile strength. So, even if you carry heavy objects in them, they will stretch to accommodate for it. Hemp is also combined with cotton or silk to make more stylish shopping bags. The only downside to these bags is that they are heavier than cotton bags and are not as easy to wash.

Jute is tear-proof and is way stronger than paper or plastic, enabling you to carry much more weight than other alternatives. Jute bags have gained popularity in India in the past few years, not only as grocery or veggie bags but also as office bags. People carry their lunch boxes in such bags for ease of carrying and because of its insulation properties.

They also come in various designs and shapes, which also gives them the aesthetic appeal of carrying them. Jute is also 100% compostable, which means that bags made of jute will completely degrade into the soil, without harming the mother Earth.

Eco bags that can be folded are a blessing. They can fold so small that they almost look like a big keychain. You must have experienced yourself at a store without a reusable carry bag because either you forgot to carry it with you or you need to buy something on your way home from the office. 

Put a few of these foldable carry bags in the dashboard or glove compartment of your car or two-wheeler to never find yourself without a reusable bag ever.

In case you walk to your market for all the shopping that you do, you should ideally buy lightweight and foldable bags; polyester bags or cotton bags would be ideal in such a situation. Jute or hemp bags can hurt your grip if you have to hold them for a long time. The bags that can be turned into a pouch would be an amazing buy.

If you travel on any vehicle, you can go with pretty much any bag listed below. A large would be highly recommended, though, if you do all your shopping using your car. Another important thing to take into account is the number of bags your household requires. This would depend on the number of family members and the amount of shopping you usually do.

Buy yourself some beautiful reusable bags that are also good for nature. You need to consider your needs and then choose the right kind of size and shape of your bag. This list covers all kinds of bags for all kinds of needs.

Check out this video to learn in detail about making reusable shopping bags. The video will also talk about;

1. The type of fabric to use 

2. The size you would need

3. The way to sew it

More easy things you can try to stop the plastic-effect is by going for products like a water bottle or food containers so that you can avoid buying them every-time. 

Being eco-friendly is no more a trend, it is a necessity. The future of our planet depends on our actions of today. Mass movements are happening in some areas of the world, but you must not hope for someone else to magically eradicate the environmental problem. It is you who has to take individual responsibility for making sure that you are reducing your carbon footprint on this earth every year.

Author: Rudraveer