4U2reuse - eco smart bag

I’ve been test-driving the Ridley plastic bag carrier for the past couple of weeks; it’s a great way to bring your own bag.

You know how you intend to always bring your reusable bags into the market but sometimes forget?  Or you intend to just pick up a couple of items, so you bring only one bag into the market, and then need to supplement with the store’s plastic or paper bag because you pick up more items than will fit in your reusable bag?  Aaaargh.  As much as I hate to admit it, this has happened to me and it drives me crazy.

Here’s a convenient way to always make sure that you have a reusable bag with you. The Ridley is a plastic bag carrier, designed to encourage shoppers to reuse their plastic grocery bags from one visit to the next. You can fill this stylish little carrier with up to 10 plastic bags and either attach it to your handbag, backpack or shopping bag, or leave on the front door compartment of your car, for easy access. I like the fact that the triangular shape was inspired by the classic “reduce, reuse, recycle” icon.

Founder Bibi Rogers, a mother, former surgeon, avid kite boarder, and now, a small business owner, recently founded 4U2ReUSE in her hometown of Delray Beach, Florida to: carry out her commitment to the environment, help others reduce their environmental footprint, and teach her son, Daniel, the importance of living sustainably.

4U2ReUSE manufactures bag carriers. From start to finish they’re made with sustainability in mind. Every carrier is handmade in the U.S. in a no sweat workshop, and created completely out of hemp, organic, vintage fabrics and reused kiteboarding sails. Local materials and fabric providers cut down on shipping, energy consumption and other operational waste in the manufacturing process.

Note that Bibi is against the manufacture of new plastic bags; what she does support is “reusing those plastic bags already in circulation in an appropriate manner — by reusing them for shopping purposes, we reduce demand on new ones, and at the same time we raise awareness amongst fellow shoppers.”

Bibi’s outfit also offers The Kemp, so that pooch poop clean-up is a walk in the park. Soon to come is The Olive, which I’m on the lookout for…

The Ridley ($25, free shipping) or The Ridley Vintage ($27, free shipping)

more info @ 4U2ReUse.com