Spring 2008 trends: Eco-friendly shopping bags

Here’s a green trend that will hopefully stick.

Going green is not just commendable, it’s now stylish. Last summer, the I’m Not A Plastic Bag canvas bags caused such a craze you’d have thought that people were waiting in line for the newest video game system. This year, eco-friendly shopping bags are still the bag to have, but the only line you’ll have to stand in is the grocery checkout line.

Not to toot my own horn, but my husband and I started using canvas grocery bags before they were cool. We’re still using them, not just to save the planet, but also because they are easier to carry than those thin plastic bags and they don’t tear open spilling our groceries everywhere. Plus, I’ve had more compliments on them than all my other bags combined.

So if you want to save the planet in style, here are some bargain priced shopping bags to get you started. All ship internationally except where noted.

For basic canvas grocery bags, it’s hard to beat this deal from Groovy Earth: 12 bags for $39.99 — less than $3.50 per bag.

If you want to proclaim your greenness, then you can get a set of six bags from The Planet Bag for $29.99, just a dollar more than a single I’m Not A Plastic Bag tote.

For your fresh veggies and fruits, there are these produce bags made from organic cotton. Listed for $19.99, the 3-packs are now on sale for $16.99.

And if you don’t live right around the corner from a grocery store, don’t forget to bring an insulated tote bag to keep your ice cream from turning into soup. All seven colors are on now on sale for $5.99 each.

Small changes make a difference, but if you want to do more to help the planet, don’t forget the people in it. This World Food Programme Feed Bag is $59.95, but you’ll get more than just a bag; you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing that a school child will be fed for an entire year thanks to your purchase. Unfortunately, the bag itself can only be shipped to the U.S. and APO/FPO addresses at present, but the proceeds will do a world of good for children around the globe.