Ready for Plastic Bag Ban?! – Fold Up Totes!

fold up totes

(L-R: batik fold up tote – $28.49 // tortex ultralite tote – $14 // feed 100 bag – $45)

GO California!!! State governor Jerry Brown says he will probably sign the bill on banning single use plastic bags in the state of California! That means if passed only paper bags and reusable bags will be available at stores to customers and they’ll have to pay at least 10 cents to buy one. I personally think this is AWESOME.

So in light of this wonderful bit of legislation I thought I would give you a roundup of ethical fold up totes. I need everything to be super easy and these fold up totes stow into any bag/dashboard/drawer, giving you easy access to a shopping tote!

fold up totes- 2(L-R: market tote caravan – $28.90// collapsible tote zombie -$7.50 // fold up tote – $20)

And in case you’re like me, and you have lots of totes lying around your house already, you can easily make any of them into fold up totes!

How to Fold Up Shopping Totes

storing totes

I have A LOT of totes on hand…mostly swag from events, but also my friends and family know I’m a green shopper so I’ve been gifted a lot of totes. These two totes were gifts and show the two basic shapes of my tote bags: horizontal and huge (this “groceries” bag, is the BOMB for my actual groceries) and the more standard tote bag shape.

Roll Up Tote Bag

I often go grocery shopping after work and on these days I have to bring 2 of my bigger totes along for my day, so this this is how I get my totes in my work bag easy.

roll up tote

Directions: fold tote in half // then take the bottom and start rolling up your tote // once tote is all rolled, take the handles and wrap it around the roll like your making a ponytail –voilá! Rolled up tote!

Fold Tote into a Triangle

I also like to keep the more standard sized totes in my “go-to” work bags and in my desk drawer at the office, this way I never forget them. When you fold your tote into a triangle, it really takes up no space at all!

fold tote into triangle

Directions: fold tote in half and then take one of the bottom corners and fold to the opposite edge // keep folding upward on the edge of the triangle // finally tuck the handles into the folds of the triangle…presto! Triangle tote :).

folding totes

As you can see you once you fold your totes, they’re so easy to haul around everyday! I mean honestly, can’t even remember the last time I got a plastic bag at a store :).

Friends, I have to say I’m thrilled California is taking this huge step into a great piece of environmental law. I know there’s opposition and honestly I do get it, but like every good thing and every good change those hardships are truly growing pains. I think ultimately this is s definitely a step in the right direction! Go Cali!

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5 Comments

    • Jamillah September 8, 2014 / 9:44 am

      LOL, I know friend…growing pains for a more conscious world…you just need to get into the habit :). xoxox

  1. Jenmarie September 6, 2014 / 7:52 pm

    I’m shocked! I don’t think people should have to buy bags but at least I have a decent amount of my own totes! Love your tutorials for folding them too 🙂
    Jenmarie recently posted..Beauty Hack: Urban Decay Primer PotionMy Profile

  2. Courtney September 8, 2014 / 1:15 pm

    I’m living in Austin now and there’s a plastic ban here. Most of the time, I either bring my own bag or carry out my purchases if it’s just a few things. It was kind of annoying at first, but most stores offer paper bag if you need one, like for groceries and such. I’m glad more places are following suit.
    Courtney recently posted..Satchel Obsession: Find Your Perfect Fall Bag for Under $100My Profile

    • Jamillah September 10, 2014 / 4:00 pm

      wow, wow, wow! Austin is a great place! Good to hear from you, Courtney!

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