Archive for December, 2012

Tips on How to Keep Your Reusable Bags Clean

What was once a novel idea by environment friendly consumers has now become a worldwide habit. More and more people are learning how plastics can negatively affect the environment, which made them adapt to the whole idea of using reusable bags when shopping. Reusable bags are great. They are eco-friendly as they don’t have to be discarded after use and they don’t contribute to pollution. However unknown to many, eco bags can be a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria which can cause serious health problems. Besides, we put raw meat, fish, poultry and all sorts of stuff in these bags, so they can really get quite unsanitary quickly. This is why it is very important to keep your reusable bags clean at all time. Let me share to you some tips on how to keep your reusable bags clean. Here are some of them.

1. Have separate bags for meats, poultry, fish, dairy, fruits, vegetables and dry goods. Separating the bags can help avoid cross contamination and it can also make organizing your grocery much easier. You’ll know right away where the meats are, where the vegetables are and so on. Here’s a nice tip, labeling the bags or color coding them can help you remember which bags are used for which items.

2. Clean your jute bags after every use, especially your meat, fish and poultry bags. Basically, there are two types of bags: fabric or nylon bags and bags made of recycled plastic. If your reusable bag is made of fabric or nylon, you can just throw them in your washing machine and wash it just like a regular piece of clothing. On the other hand, if your bag is made from recycled plastic, you can clean them by soaking them in a basin filled with a soapy hot water and vinegar solution. This can help disinfect the bags and remove any stubborn stains. Rinse them and let them air dry.

3. Don’t leave your reusable bags in the trunk for long periods of time. The warm temperature in the trunk makes it an excellent breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria.

4. Store your bags in a clean and dry place when not in use. Always remember that warm and moist areas are perfect breeding of bacteria. Here’s a nice tip, one good way to store your eco bags is by pinning them on a small clothesline.

For More Information about Recycled Jute Bags Australia you may visit http://www.jutecolab.com website.

How to Choose a Reusable Shopping Bag

1. Material Preference:

•             Nonwoven Polypropylene: The majority of the inexpensive jute bags you see at retail stores today are made of nonwoven polypropylene, which is a form of plastic made to look and feel like cloth. Some nonwoven polypropylene is made from virgin materials and some is made from a mix of new materials and post-consumer/industrial recycled materials.

•             Cotton:  Do you want to throw your bags in the washing machine to keep them clean? If so, natural-fiber cotton is your best bet. Organic cottons are more expensive, but better for the environment, since pesticides are not used when farming it.

•             Laminated Shopping Bags:  If you like to spray your bags and wipe them down, you’ll probably prefer a laminated reusable bag! Laminated bags are made from laminated woven polypropylene, laminated nonwoven polypropylene, or laminated recycled PET.

•             Polyester or Nylon:  Reusable bags made from polyester or nylon are very popular because they are thin, durable, and compact. Polyester and nylon bags have a higher perceived value than some of the other reusable bag options but the price is still reasonable.

•             Recycled PET:  Often referred to as ‘recycled soda bottles’, recycled PET is another popular material option for reusable bags. Recycled PET is made from post-consumer a recycled plastic (#1 recyclables) which includes soda and water bottles.

•             Jute, Bamboo or Hemp:  Reusable bags made from jute, bamboo or hemp can be hard to find and are often more expensive than other bag options, but they are favorites among die-hard environmentalists. These materials tend to ‘grow like weeds’ which minimizes and sometimes eliminates the use of harsh chemicals and pesticides, while using less water to grow.

2. Price:  It’s important to think about your budget before you start looking at bags. If you see samples of $8 bags before discovering that you can only afford $2 bags, you’re going to be disappointed. Here are some guidelines:

•             Least Expensive:  Primarily non-woven polypropylene bags, and a few small, nylon bags.

•             Mid Price Range:  You’ll find the most selection in this price range. Laminated bags tend to be in the $2-3 range. Poly/nylon bags tend to be in the $2.50-$3.50 range.

•             Most Expensive:  Primarily organic cotton, recycled cotton, hemp and jute.

3. Handles and Other Features:  Some bags fold, some zip, some snap, some are small and some are large. Here are a few more considerations when choosing your reusable bags:

•             Handle Length

•             Gusset Size

•             Folding Bags

Bag Color

•             Imprinting

•             Insulation

•             Wine Bags and Bottle Sleeves

Reusable jute bags Australia are so prevalent in our society, and there are tons of choices in great thing, since custom reusable grocery bags printed with a business’ logo have the highest number of impressions across all categories of promotional products. The average custom grocery bag is used 5.8 times per month, which makes for great return on investment.