reusable bags

The question "paper or plastic?" is nearly passé by now, since so many of us are using reusable shopping bags. One company that I've been particularly impressed with is Denver, CO-based RuMe, which was launched on Earth Day last year. RuMe bags aren't only durable and fair-trade certified, they also come in a variety of styles and sizes. I also love that the bags' long handles make them easy to sling over your shoulder, and that their box-stitch sides and bottom makes it easier to pack items like bottles and boxes. Also, these tiny bags can be rolled up and tied together (equaling the size of a cup of coffee), which means they'll fit into even your smallest purse.


While the bags are slightly more expensive than other reusable bags, there are two good reasons for that. RuMe bags, which retail for $30 or less, are made of a higher-quality, thicker, water-resistant 180 denier polyester that can hold up to 50 lbs. The bags are also produced in a government-certified, fair-trade factory, where costs are slightly higher than if the bags were made in an unregulated factory.

Interested in getting a RuMe? Good news: you can now get one for 20 percent off, and I'll tell you how when you read more