Bringing your own used grocery bags on home turf or while traveling is an ecologically sensitive alternative to just throwing them away. A new company called iTySE has come up with a stylish BYO alternative to those ugly plastic sacks. The Reusable Grocery Bag Set consists of a colorful 15-by-22-inch nylon-lined packcloth outer bag, four 17-by- 21-inch stretchable white nylon mesh grocery bags and one 17-by-19-inch black ripstop nylon grocery bag. All the bags are machine-washable. The outer bag, in a choice of patterns, has rope shoulder straps, three internal pouches for stuffing empty grocery bags or other items and a large magnetic-close pocket with compartments for credit cards, keys, cellphone and other valuables. Also makes a nice tote bag. Packed flat, the featherweight grocery bags take up almost no space. Reusable Grocery Bag Set, $80, or 866-492-2331.
Judi Dash, Gear & Gadgets Syndicate
