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Banishing plastic bags is easy in theory -- we just have to stop making and using them. All you have to do is remember to carry a bag with you when you go shopping. But that's easier said than done if you have a memory like a goldfish. The Flip and Tumble bag makes it easy though, because it packs up into a tiny ball that you can easily pop into your coat pocket, handbag or backpack.
"We are committed to finding clever solutions that make the everyday just a little less so. We think our lives are complicated enough, so our products won't be," says the company's no-nonsense website.
When it's unfolded, the bag is 12" x 14" x 5", which is about the size of a regular tote bag. Yet when it's folded up, it's only the size of a peach. That's ample room for the average shopping trip, and it should be more than strong enough with a carrying capacity of 20lbs. So you're less likely to end up with vegetables strewn all over the high street than you are with those flimsy and polluting plastic carrier bags.
To fold the bag up you simply scrunch it into a ball, then pull the stretchy pouch over the bundle to create a ball. You can't lose the pouch, because it's sewn onto the inside of the bag. While the bag may be made out of polyester, it's still going to save a huge amount of plastic over the course of its life if you use it regularly.
The best part is that when it finally does break, Flip and Tumble will make sure it's disposed of properly. "We didn't think it was right that our bags should wind up in a landfill after years of dutifully hauling stuff. Just send your bag back to us, and we'll recycle it," says the company's website.
You can get hold of the bags from the Flip and Tumble website. They cost $15 each, come in four colours and cost $9 to ship. The shipping charges are the same for up to three bags, so get together with a couple of friends to save packaging and money.
07 December 2007 12:14pm
Why not avoid shipping them here from the US, and buy an Onya bag instead? They're made of parachute material, come in lots of different colours & are really strong. You can see them on their website: http://www.onyabags.co.uk.
I also have a similar bag from Lakeland Limited, but can't see it on their website anymore. I've had them both for years and they've stood up to loads of use.
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