In recent years, big name groceries and small neighborhood markets alike have opted to design reusable, environment-friendly grocery bags to meet the demand for alternative options to plastic — a material that takes 10 to 20 years to biodegrade. A market of trendy, earth-loving grocery bag options has arrived to satisfy shoppers who care about the planet. We reviewed bags from popular food stores to make leaving plastics behind a hip and simple decision.

Whole Foods
5120 S Rural Rd
Tempe, AZ 85282

Whole Foods leads the pack with their fashionable yet environmentally friendly selection of reusable sacs. Their basic signature bag, 99 cents, is made from 100 percent recycled plastics and is stamped with the Whole Foods emblem. They don’t stop at one choice — another favorite is their canvas bag. Bigger than the basic, $3.99, the canvas bag is colorful and varies in fruit graphics, and it’s large enough to fit the contents of roughly three filled plastic bags. The FEED bag, $29.99, is a splurge, but not a vain one — purchasing this cotton sac donates enough money to feed 100 meals to children in Rwanda, and is also sturdy enough to double as a book bag.

Trader Joe’s
6460 S McClintock Dr
Tempe, AZ 85283

Trader Joe’s has an outstanding selection of carriers, comparable to Whole Foods in many ways. Their basic reusable bag is 99 cents and is made up of 100 percent recycled plastic bags — bags that won’t end up in a nasty landfill. Trader Joe’s carries a vibrantly colored Hawaiian-esque bag for 99 cents that is sure to make a statement. For $1.99, they’ve got an insulted bag, so cold stuff exposed to the heat will stay cooler longer. All of Trader Joe’s bags will carry the same amount as a classic brown grocery bag, without taking a hit to the environment.

Safeway
926 E Broadway Rd
Tempe, AZ 85282

Good old Safeway. Is it the green-way? Well, they do have one black reusable bag for just under a dollar, but don’t expect anything in the way of graphics or selection. Even if you can find where their located in the store — the bags aren’t lavishly displayed or advertised, you might still pass it up. Since there are bags that are much more attractive at the same price at Safeway’s competitors, go for a bold bag at another retailer.

Reach the reporter at michelle.masek@asu.edu.