hotSACKS - a Green shopping alternative ~ GIVEAWAY!!

I see many people at the local supermarket using reusable bags, although I do still see plastic bags going out too, and then we see them blowing all over the fields near our city dump. It makes me cringe, but to each his/her own I guess. What really was starting to bother me lately was that, although I was using reusable shopping bags, I still had an ever-increasing collection of plastic produce bags waiting to be taken back to be recycled whenever I should remember (if ever!). Even more annoying was that the grocery store where we go most often has stopped providing ties, and the bags have gotten so thin you have to be super careful if you want your fruit or veg to stay in. I was sure there must be a solution to my produce bag problem, so I started looking around for an alternative.

Well, it turns out I wasn't alone in wanting reusable bags. Diana Nethercott, a professional photographer from Victoria, BC, had the same desire, but she also wanted bags to be esthetically appealing. Many designs later, and after a long search for a green-certified manufacturer, hotSACKS was born! The company sells their own reusable shopping bags, and - hooray! - produce bags!

We were sent one Essential shopping bag to try out. It has a removable plastic bottom that helps keep it sturdy as you're filling it at the store. I'm not allowed to carry very much at one time now (midwife's orders) but this bag will hold a lot of groceries. It's also easy to carry (either over the shoulder or in my hand) and folds up nicely. The bags are made from non-woven polypropylene and are completely recyclable. The design makes it look good too and it's great for carrying anything - we used it at the library, and that's a good test of any bag in our family!

We also got to try the Meshy hotSACKS.They come in colours that coordinate with other hotSacks bags. They are made in Canada of recyclable polyethylene resin. They are great for most fruits (everything we tried worked well except the bananas), vegetables and bigger bulk items such as wrapped candies or nuts in shell. They are lightweight, so easy to bring along, and they fasten easily in a knot. A nice benefit is that they also allow produce to breathe. I've been really pleased with how these Meshy bags work. I've also let my parents try them out on their shopping trips (my mom has been reusing her plastic produce bags for a while now, but they're not sturdy enough) and they were very impressed.

WIN IT!!

hotSACKS is giving away 1 set of Meshy hotSACKS (8 in a set) to 2 different winners! To enter please visit hotSACKS and comment on a feature of your favourite bag.

EXTRA ENTRIES - Please leave an additional comment for each extra entry.

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CONTEST OPEN TO CANADA AND USA! Contest ends on November 10, 2010. Please view our giveaway rules for more info.

BUY IT!!

hotSACKS are available from various retailers as well as online via the hotSACKS website. Check them out, as they have some great sale prices on right now! :) They'd make great presents or stocking stuffers for the eco-conscious person on your list.

**Disclaimer: The products mentioned above have been given free of charge from hotSACKS in exchange for being featured on Glimpse.  The opinions  expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way.  Please see the full Terms of use.