MSL Bags

I think it’s about time we redefine the idea of Reusable Grocery Bags, from something seen as temporary and frequently replaced, to a mainstream product that can be kept and maintained for years.

Most of the RGB’s you find in stores are made from products like woven polyethylene , a decidedly un-earth-friendly textile.

But they are considered eco-products by virtue of the fact that instead of throwing them away like single use plastic bags, you can keep them and re-use them multiple times.

The problem:

Because of this convenience-minded approach to these bags, they present as more of a temporary product, that is not something you keep with any real longevity, but mostly to bridge the gap until we figure something better out.

I can’t fault this step in our journey to more sustainable practices, because it did just that. Took us to the next level in awareness and galvanized a whole generation, giving us a vehicle for action against plastic pollution in our environment .

It’s kind of amazing actually. People have adopted RGB’s in a way that is inspiring and hopeful, and we all know how hard it is to get lots of people to do anything!

But I think it’s time to take the next steps.

‘A’ Solution:

The problem with creating a solution for the “Bag Problem”, is that not everyone shops the same.

Something that is crucial to you in your shopping experience might be fairly unimportant to me. Which means the solution will not be the same for everyone either.

There are a couple of shopping styles that most people fall into.

The Good-life/Trendy Shopper:

This shopper prioritizes style in their world. They like to design the space around them to create an atmosphere that reflects who they are.

The Eco-Minded or Ethical shopper: This shopper is someone who prioritizes renewable, sustainable and earth friendly options. They want to make sure their actions are part of the solution and not part of the problem.

The Convenience shopper: This person just wants the easiest option. Whatever takes the least effort from them. ‘The stores want my business they should provide a bag for me’.

For me, the standard RGB worked just fine…except for the issues of cleanliness, organization, and appearance…so yeah you could say I had some issues.

I conducted a survey of 100 RGB users, about their likes and dislikes, and the most common complaints were that they were not washable, they were unattractive, and they were both hard to store, and remember to take.

Same!

After identifying the problems with the current reusable grocery bags, I set out make my own.

Building a Brand

The beauty of building something new is that you get to decide how it gets done.

With an eye towards environmental stewardship, one of the biggest focuses for me in this endeavor, has been offsetting the amount of plastic in our environment by using recycled plastic fabrics to create this utilitarian item.

Considering the products end of life has also been an important factor in designing. Thinking about how to make it easier for the components can be recaptured, recycled and returned to the production cycle.

We are doing this by limiting the number of materials used, and looking into programs like Terracycle which recycles just about everything.

Make it Faaaabulous!!

I may be doing a lot of mundane and boring tasks, but I certainly don’t want to look mundane and boring!

Redefining the concept of RGB’s allows for the infusion of a little style!

We design every nook and cranny of our lives, so why not this one too?

Being more intentional about something that touches our lives on a weekly basis, seems like a worthwhile effort.

I am inspired by the growth of the sustainable market, excited by the green innovations I see, and proud to be a movement of people that are innovating for our future.