So, you’ve made the switch to eco shopping bags and are doing your part to cut back on destructive waste? Kudos, but we bet you’re wondering about one little problem; how do you make your eco shopping bags last longer?

That’s a fair question. It’s undeniable that plastic bags are a bit more durable in the long term than paper bags, but luckily, there are some things you can do to make your supply of eco shopping bags stretch a lot longer.

Let’s take a look.

Avoid Water

If you’ve opted for paper shopping bags, your biggest concern should be moisture. After all, they are made of paper, and we all know what happens when paper gets wet.

Obviously, you know not to run out into a rainstorm or under dripping gutters while toting your paper bags around, but you should also avoid putting moist items in them. If you purchase meat or frozen meals at the grocery store, consider getting those to your car with a cart instead of lugging it all in bags. You can still pack your dry items in the bags to make the trip into the house easier and to keep the bulk of your groceries organised.

This goes for other types of items that might have condensation on them or are likely to leak.

Dry Paper Bags Fully

If you do accidentally get your paper bags a little moist, you can dry them out. They’ll still be usable unless they got so wet, that they tore. In this case, it’s best to leave them out in the sun for a few hours.

Don’t think this makes them as good as new. They will be a bit weaker in the future, but you can easily get some more use out of them this way.

Upgrade to Cotton

Cotton eco shopping bags are available, and while they’re slightly pricier, they will last a very long time. As long as you don’t weigh them down so much the straps break, or somehow toss them on a fire, your cotton bags should last for years. In the long run, this can be a better investment than a supply of paper bags.

 

Don’t Overload Your Bags

It’s tempting to jam as many items as possible into one bag, but that’s a good way to tear any shopping bag; even the plastic ones. Fill each bag to an appropriate amount, and if you need more room, use another bag. Also, try carrying larger items on your own to save more room in the bags for your more numerous and difficult to organise small items.

Purchase Your Eco Shopping Bags from a High-Quality Supplier

Finally, the best tip is to start out with really good bags in the first place. High-quality bags will last longer, and you won’t have to worry about all your new purchases bursting onto the ground without warning.