Comments on Susanne M.'s review of Reusable Grocery Bag
How eco responsible are the Trader Joe's bags?
I don't want to discourage anyone from using reusable bags but please take a minute to think about all of your options; where your reusable bags are made and under what labor conditions as well as what toxic materials your bags is made out of?
Trader Joe's reusable bags are all made in China and most likely under working conditions that would not be allowed in this country - which is why they are all cheap. Also the colorful plastic coated bags that are all 'so cute' are coated with a nasty PVC (poly vinyl chloride) film which is TERRIBLE for the environment it emits toxic ozone depleting gases upon manufacturing and material breakdown. So please take a minute to think about what your real impact is on the environment with your reusable bag purchase, the labor conditions and the environment.
Susanne M.'s keywords: trader joes, reusable bag, labor conditions, toxic
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Adam W. says:
Susanne - I noticed you gave this product 5 stars, but from your actual review it looks like you aren't a real fan - which is it?
Michelle F. says:
Susanne, you make an excellent point. I would assume that TJ would make "green" reusable bags......if what you say is indeed true, I'm really shocked. If a TJ representative reads this, please respond. Is this true? If so, is there a move to discontinue them and go to something organic?
Michelle
Susanne M. says:
I didn't mean to give the product 5 stars. I didn't even realize there was a rating system. I do give points for offering and promoting reusable bags but I think that green consumers really need to think about all of their options and more importantly what they are buying. Questions like: Where are these bags manufactured? What they are made out of? Is this a material that is eco-friendly? How long will this bag last? I think there is a lot of 'green washing' when it comes to reusable bags. Like Chico bags - these bags are nylon a non recyclable material and made in China? Not Chico California.
In addition, many of these cheap reusable ยข99 bag options are made out of non woven polypropylene, you know that yucky green & black fabric bag that holds about 1 cereal box each? Anyway, non woven polypropylene is usually made out of new plastic (a petroleum product) and all of it's manufactured in China, a country that has little regard for clean manufacturing and fair wages. Just something to think about when you are selecting a reusable bag.
In my opinion go for a quality American made shopping bag made out of recycled cotton or organic cotton canvas. It will cost you a bit more but it will also last you much longer and be good for the US economy.