There's nothing worse than being ill-prepared when the heavens open - especially when it starts to rain and you've got your arms full with shopping.
Instead of settling for soggy groceries, be prepared with this waterproof nylon reusable shopping bag from Etsy.
Made from waterproof nylon, the shoulder bag perhaps isn't big enough for a family shop for the week, but it's more than enough to fit some essentials on your way home from work - complete with a magnetic close, for peace of mind.
It comes in a variety of colours, too, including beige, orange, teal and black; meaning it ticks both style and eco-conscious boxes.
How to fold reusable shopping bags
How to fold reusable shopping bags is entirely dependent on which fabric shopper you've chosen.
If it's cotton, mesh or nylon, it usually can scrunch into a small ball or pouch and be chucked straight into your handbag.
A lot of reusable shopping bags come with attached pouches, which can be tricky to fold down - we recommend laying it on a flat surface, folding the sides to meet in the middle, and then rolling up tightly from the bottom.
If your shopping is jute, or wipe-clean plastic (like a Bag for Life) it is best to follow the pre-folded lines when it comes to storage.
Pinch the sides of the bag to collapse it, then fold up the bottom, and then in half to store with ease.
Can you recycle reusable shopping bags?
If you have a supermarket-branded reusable shopping bag, you can often take it in-store to a plastic bag recycling point to be recycled, and then replaced free of charge.
If you have opted for a fabric bag from this list, it can often be recycled in a fabric recycling drop-off facility - usually found at your local supermarket next to the bottle bins.
Be sure to check with the brand, recycling point or supermarket before recycling to make extra sure your bag can be recycled.
Can you wash reusable shopping bags?
Most reusable shopping bags are thankfully machine washable. If you've opted for a cotton, mesh, string, or nylon reusable shopper, then it can be chucked in the machine to wash at (an eco-friendly!) 30 degrees.
If you have opted for jute or plastic, it is often wipe-clean with soap and warm water.
Always be sure to check the tag or with the brand your bag is from before washing.
How to dispose of reusable shopping bags
Most shopping bags are extremely long-lasting, and a lot of brands boast they'll last a lifetime - so hopefully you won't need to chuck them out if you take good care of them.
If you can, repair any ripped shopping bags with a simple stitch, or donate to charity if a bag is still in good condition.
Otherwise, you can recycle fabric bags at a fabric recycling facility or plant - usually found at supermarkets.