So I went shopping on my lunch break today (I actually don’t waste too much gas because I work less than 10 minutes from my house (and my two jobs are less than 5 minutes away from each other). Fuel eco-friendliness aside, I went to TJ Maxx (and no, this is not a plug for TJ Maxx even though I do enjoy their cheap clothes). I was checking out the small, but awesomely cheap, beauty section of the store to pick up a new eco-friendly hairbrush (yes, such things DO exist).

Anyway, as I headed to the checkout counter, my jaw dropped, my eyes bugged, and my socks were violently knocked off at the sight of TJ Maxx’s very own Earth-friendly shopper fabric bag.

It was red. Red just happened to be my favorite color. It’s large too, only 79 measely cents (three quarters and four pennies) of awesomeness. On the bag, “IT BAG” is in large print and on the sides, it reads the store’s name.

Of course, I bought one! What were you thinking, really, now?! In any case, it brought me to today’s subject: fabric bags. Every grocery store (or most of them) have been jumping on the fabric bag-wagon (PUN MOS’ DEF’ INTENDED, Y’ALL). However, grocery stores are not the only place I shop. In fact, I would feel just plain awkward bringing a fabric Hannaford bag to shop at Macy’s or something. Which is why I found the TJ Maxx IT BAG. (I also would like to add that I HEART Hannaford majorly for promoting eco-friendliness by issuing bag credits to shoppers who use fabric bags and also by endorsing minimal plastic bag use **END SHAMELESS PLUG**). I would just like to add that the Hannaford bags are awesome because they fold up and fit in your purse.

In any case, my point is that billions and billions of plastic bags are being used every year and are used. Ending up in landfills and being too light to stay still, the bags end up flying around. The toxins in them eventually contaminate the ground, polluting our plants, soil and water. They also end up hurting the Bambis of the world.

“YO! Lay off Bambi, man. I don’t want to hear no shiz-nat about Bambi gettin’ hiz-urt, dawg,” said the urbanite reading this blog.

“I’m sorry!” I quickly interject realizing that I’m talking to no one except another voice in my head.

Moving on… I do love the Bambis of the world enough to just buy a reusable bag. Sometimes, I do recognize, it is awkward to tell the clerk that you don’t want her mangy plastic bags. So, if you end up using plastic, be sure to recycle it — most supermarkets actually have a recycle bin for plastic bags, so that should be your destination.

SO YOU’VE DECIDED YOU WANT A TRENDY FABRIC BAG, HAVE YE?? ARRRRGH. *pirate face*

Well, isn’t that splendiferous? The good news is that there are a ton of really trendy bags out there for you to buy. I will even push you in the proper direction by sharing some of my faves (aside from those found at your local Hannaford Supermarkets and TJ Maxx).

FredFlare.com

“Mega-durable tote bag!”

$28

Made of natural canvas and printed with water-based inks.

A portion of sales will go towards World Wildlife Fund

AmericanApparel.net

The incredible Cities Bag!

$28

Bull-Denim Woven Cotton

Print of major cities on both sides!

lululemon

Price unknown

Click here to read the words on the bag (Lululemon’s manifesto!)

Can only be bought in-store

Click here for a list of store locations

If you are still unsatisfied with, you should search for the fad-fave, “I Am Not a Plastic Bag” Bag on eBay. It’s probably your best shot. And eBaying is eco-friendly because it is second-hand. Also check out ShopIntuition’s biodegradable bag. $19.99. Go for it. I’ve said enough. Much love and stay green.