Bags

My new favorite tote

I have quite a few resuable bags that I'm supposed to use when grocery shopping. My problem is that I always forget the bags either at home or in my car. I often end up buying new bags or just using what the store offers. My favorite bag, until I received my Retote, was from Horrocks. It was just the right size, could handle an insane amount of weight and didn't show dirt. I had a small one from work but it got gross the first day at the farmer's market because it was white.

A while back, Newsweek had a promo in an issue. Use the page to make an envelope and send us your used Target bag. I had no idea if it was a joke but figured why not. My tote arrived last week and got good use this weekend. It has surpassed the Horrock's bag in that the handles are very sturdy and don't cut my shoulder when full.

What's your experience using environmentally friendly bags?

Here's a little history of how the retote became a reality.

Target has teamed up with Terracycle to produce a new type of reusable bag called Retote. The new bag is made from an entirely different process and is truly unique in the reusable bag arena.

Retote proves that sometimes a simple solution to a problem is the answer. Made directly from used Target shopping bags unlike other reusable bags made from recycled content, Retote bags are made through a process known as fusing.

Target has had a relationship with Terracycle for several years selling their liquid fertilizers.
Their relationship with the small NJ-based company grew this year when they formed a unique partnership. Terracycle developed the process for making the fused reusable bags and approached Target with the idea.

The new bag concept developed into a major promotion for Target last month. The promotion itself was also a new concept and involved inserting a special mailer into the green themed, April 14 issue of Newsweek. The mailer instructed readers to fill it with used Target bags and return it postage paid to Terracycle. Each customer who sends bags to Teracycle will receive a coupon redeemable for a Retote bag at Target later in the summer.

The Target Retote bags have lots of people excited. Target stores had an initial supply of Retotes in stores when the April promotion was announced. The bags quickly sold out said Target's Amy von Walter. Target will have the bags in all stores later this summer von Walter said.

“The fusing technology requires a very small amount of heat, combined with a large amount of pressure. The combination causes the bags to fuse together,” said Zakes. “Standard recycling of plastic bags is horribly inefficient. The process requires a large amount of heat to melt the bags down entirely plus a very small amount of usable plastic is recovered in the process making it hardly worth the energy or the cost involved with recycling the bags.”

Terracycle's fusing process is different. It uses just enough heat to help them fuse together.

“The lower cost of fusing instead of recycling plastic bags is a huge motivator for large companies. Why spend more money on a process that is less advantageous and won't increase your environmental responsibility,” asks Zakes.

Sustainable is Good had the opportunity to test a sample of the Retote and we were all highly impressed. The fusing process actually allows you to see your old Target bags “fused” together with each other into something new. Its this direct connection with the product and material for the consumer that make this bag design so interesting.

A Target shopper can actually see their old bag become something new – it becomes an exciting tangible object. The Retote is also highly functional and durable with a solid feeling texture. The bags will be re-launched at Target stores nationwide later this summer and will sell for $5.99 said von Walter.