Sick of having a cupboard full of plastic bags and that guilty feeling at the checkout? Maybe you've been meaning to purchase some reusable bags but it keeps slipping your mind. Well, now is your perfect chance!
Convenient, kind to the planet and often really rather stylish, the options on our list will make you wonder why you didn't get yourself a reusable shopper sooner. With a varied selection of compact, cute and foldable totes and shoppers from Amazon, eBay, John Lewis and Waitrose, we've really got it in the bag.
Quick List - Top Reusable Shopping Bags
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In this section we will explain the different types of reusable shopping bag available considering material, budget, size, and how many bags you need. Follow our advice to find a pick that's suited to your shopping habits.
The material your bag is made from goes a long way in deciding its style and look, and how environmentally-friendly it is. Here we will quickly go through and weigh up some of the most popular materials that lots of reusable bags are crafted from.
Cotton is a great choice for a bag you can rely on to last. Light to carry inside another bag, cotton bags are strong, durable and can be thrown in the washing machine. Their only downside is that they aren't moisture resistant unless chemically-treated – so it might be important to be aware of what you'll put in the bag.
Another great choice alongside regular cotton totes are cotton mesh or net reusable bags. They have a simple shape with just one section, and are made with woven string. These holes make them light to carry and give them the ability to stretch naturally, helping you fit more groceries in!
A polymer usually made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester is versatile, resistant to water and mildew and compacts very easily into a pouch, pocket or car cup holder.
Polyester can sometimes be combined with nylon, another synthetic polymer often used to replace silk, creating a soft and slightly more yielding material.
Although polyester can be recycled through reheating, it's still a form of plastic which is slow to break down. This makes it not the most environmentally-friendly option available which may not always age as well as other materials such as cotton.
A smart, adaptable and ecological new fabric, juco is made from the combination of jute and cotton. Jute itself is one of the strongest natural fibres around and grown in similar conditions to organic farming, it's a very ecologically-sound material.
Juco brings together the tighter weave of a cotton bag and the hardwearing durability found in jute. Taking the most beneficial properties of each material, juco is a natural, eco-friendly choice.
Jute bags can be a little stiff and cumbersome but juco bags are softer to the touch, whilst being stronger than cotton and having a longer lifespan.
As with any purchase, the quality of what you buy can change depending on how much you decide to spend. Nylon, polyester and some mesh bags are often available in multiples for under £10, and this may be just what you are looking for to stock up on a stash.
However if you want something stylish, that you can also use as a day-to-day bag for picnics, work, the beach and other things, consider spending around £10 or more for something long-lasting.
The size and number of bags you'll need, as well as how you'll be able to store them, depends on your individual situation. If you are very active on foot and usually walk to the shops and back home again, you may be looking for affordable multipacks of reusable bags that can be packed down into a pouch.
If you have a car, it may be beneficial to have large bag that can be left in the boot, and in that case, storability, or foldability, won't be as big of a deal.
For those who are hoping to use the bags for general errands rather than big food shops, choosing one pretty, stylish one may be more important to you.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Augbunny 100% Cotton Canvas Bag | ![]() | A Strong, Heavy-Duty Grocery Tote Bag | |
2 | Juntao Reusable Mesh Produce Bag | ![]() | Natural Cotton and Compact to Carry | |
3 | Waitrose Duchy Cotton Lemon Bag | ![]() | Simple and Summery Cotton Tote | |
4 | JISEN Corduroy Tote Bag | ![]() | The Stylish, Multipurpose Choice | |
5 | Heston from Waitrose Reusable Bag | ![]() | A Beautifully Designed, Large Capacity Bag | |
6 | FEPITO 12 Pack Foldable Shopping Bags | ![]() | A Top-Value and Colourful Choice for a Foldable Bag | |
7 | Joules Cambridge Floral Fold Up Shopper Bag | ![]() | Glamorous and Packable for Impromptu Shopping Trips | |
8 | Yumi V 6 Pack of Shopping Bags | ![]() | Cute, Waterproof, and Very Lightweight | |
9 | VENO Jumbo Chillout Thermal Tote | ![]() | An Insulated Bag for All Purposes | |
10 | Shinok Reusable Produce Bags | ![]() | Mesh Veggie Bags With Tare Weight |
An extremely simple and uncomplicated bag in black, this 100% cotton canvas tote sails to our top spot. It's durable, well-designed and able to carry a heavy load – you won't want to go anywhere without it.
The extra-wide cross-stitched handles make hauling your shopping a breeze, and the breathable cotton fabric keeps contents clean and fresh, whether that's groceries, a picnic or some bits and pieces for work. And of course, black goes with everything!
If you're thinking of going au naturel this year in the name of the environment, what better way to do it than with these rustic, netted bags from Juntao. They come in a set of 5 bags in shades of beige, green, black and pink that you'll love to carry with you.
Made from 100% cotton, they're great for the planet and provide good breathability. They're also perfect to carry in a bigger bag taking up very little room – but as the cotton netting naturally stretches in use, they can carry large items up to 10 kg. We love how they look, and who knew that such a simple design would work so well?
Waitrose do a range of very affordable reusable shopping bags, but this one is definitely the most desirable, looking delightful in a natural tone with a pretty lemon tree illustration. Part of the Duchy Organic range, it's as eco as you'd expect and made entirely from organic cotton.
The strap is also nice and comfy, there's a decent amount of space inside and it's surprisingly well-priced too. This summery and cheerful tote is the kind of bag that will make you look forward to doing your food shopping!
One of the prettiest bags on our list, this Corduroy Tote Bag by JISEN comes in a range of colours but we particularly like it in dark green. There's plenty of room for a good haul of groceries, as well as a discreet inner pocket for your phone and keys to save you taking another bag to the shops.
Soft and comfortable to the touch, this tote is also durable and washable. It doesn't fold away as small as some on our list, but with an option is pretty as this you'll probably want to use it as your everyday bag anyway!
Bored of bland reusable bags and looking for something a little different? Then you'll probably want this Heston from Waitrose shopper! As well as the adorable illustration of a fishing otter, it boasts well-made leather handles and huge amounts of room inside.
It feels like this bag has been designed especially to fit even Waitrose's biggest products such as chicken or lamb joints. Over all, it's excellent value for such a beautiful and sturdy shopping bag.
Here's an option offering the most bags for your buck! Coming as a 12-pack, this choice from FEPITO is also the most colourful. Each bag is a different colour, allowing you to accessorise with your outfit for that day, plus, they're machine washable.
Perfect for people who do a lot of grocery or food shopping, these bags are made of polyester making them durable and sturdy. They are also easy to throw in a bag for when you need them, as they can be folded into a tiny pouch measuring just 10 x 10 cm.
This pretty floral shopper from Joules is ideal for anyone who wants to invest in a great quality shopper that lasts. As well as the gorgeous design, it comes with a zippered pouch that renders it compact enough for even the smallest (or busiest) of handbags.
It's made from polyester so it's also very light, as well as being easy to wipe clean. With slightly smaller dimensions than some, it's a great emergency bag to have on hand to spare you having to use a carrier on impromptu shopping trips.
This six-pack of shopping bags might be basic, but they are waterproof, lightweight and a decent choice for such a low price. Made from nylon Oxford polyester, they fold down into a tiny pouch but the double stitching means they can hold a deceiving amount of weight – 15 kg, in fact!
Coming in a set of bright designs they are wonderfully simple, eco-friendly and super easy to wash if anything gets spilt. Practical enough to be used for a whole range of tasks from day to day, this is a fun family choice.
You'll find so many uses for this hardy and insulated five-gallon bag, from regular grocery shopping to picnics and camping. Roomy and well-made, not only does it have masses of utilitarian shopping space but it has smaller compartments in the front for keys and phone.
As sturdy as it looks, this bag is foldable, leak-proof and super-easy to clean if you do end up having a spill. The only downside we can see is that it isn't quite the most stylish on our list, but it sure does the job!
In at number ten we have a very eco-friendly option made from 100% organic cotton and packaged in a cardboard box. These reusable produce Bags from Shinok have a natural and minimal look and are easy and convenient to use, too.
It's great that these bags create no plastic waste and we love their earthy look. However, while they are ideal for a plastic-free trip to the greengrocer for some fruit or veggies, they aren't the comfiest bags to carry – the drawstring can put pressure on your hand or shoulder if they're over-filled.
It's easier than ever to do your part for the environment with so many brilliant products available to snap up online in the UK. Take a look at our related articles for some more inspiration!
Now we've shown you the best on offer when it comes to reusable shopping bags, it's time to choose your fighter! We hope you're feeling 'totes' excited about your potential new buy!
Author: Melanie McPhail
No. 1: Augbunny |100% Cotton Canvas Bag
No. 2: Juntao|Reusable Mesh Produce Bag
No. 3: Waitrose Duchy|Cotton Lemon Bag
No. 4: JISEN|Corduroy Tote Bag
No. 5: Heston from Waitrose|Reusable Bag
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