that little bit greener ~ morsbags giveaway

the topic for 'that little bit greener' this week is morsbags

Morsbags is a non-profit project aimed at eliminating the use of plastic bags by making and distributing reusable fabric bags - for free..

it was founded by Claire Morsman who was so shocked by the devastating effect plastic bags have on marine wildlife that  she decided to promote the making and giving away of reusable cotton bags to show that there really is an alternative to plastic bags.  we humans have only been using plastic bags for 30 years and already they are strewn all over the planet.  globally we consume one million plastic bags per minute ~ how scary is that?!  these plastic bags break in to smaller pieces but it is unknown how long it would take them to fully biodegrade. the problem with them in the environment is that marine wildlife mistake these tiny bits of plastic as food and ingest them with fatal consequences.

i have been using reusable bags for a long time and have a variety of cotton/ canvas  bags which i have made  or have been given. i really do not understand it when i see a supermarket trolley overflowing with packed plastic bags especially nowadays when even most of the supermarkets offer a greener  shopping bag alternative.

the first i heard about morsbags was when emma and rachel posted about them last week....

today i made a morsbag... 

...it was so quick and easy to make.

there are down-loadable instructions and even an animation of how to make one on the morsbags website.  

the bags are finished well with an easy peasy french seam which neatens all the raw edges. the handles are double stitched  and the straps are attached with a box and a cross to given further strength. 

to make one i would recommend using a medium to heavier weight cotton as opposed to a flimsy fabric.. you could even make one in wool or add applique if you were making it for yourself  but the main idea is to make as many as you can from old duvets, curtains.. or whatever you can salvage ... more advice on this is also on the website.

please do have a look at the morsbags website... it is a fantastic project and the more that we can make and pass on free to folk, then the less plastic bags will be needed.

also julia at marmalade kiss's post  today takes this subject a little further  and encourages us to also  question what we put in these ethical shopping bags.

now the GIVEAWAY...

the only thing i need to do now to finish my morsbag is to download and add the morsbag labels and then find someone to give it to.... maybe you can help with this...

i shall make a total of 5 bags before the end of the month and put them into a draw.  if you are still in need of being converted to reusable bags or know someone who you feel it would be good to give a morsbag to then please leave a comment on this post and i will draw 5 names at random at the end of october.

and of course if you want to suppot Claire's fantastic project and make a morsbag (or two) then that would be wonderful....thanks for listening,

 ginny x

 

Comments

[georgia]

i have several reusable canvas and clothe bags for shopping, but i could always use another, especially if it is as darling as this one! wonderful idea. i love that it can not only keep from using plastic, but recycles older unused fabrics. the good for the environment just keeps going and going. count me in! {i'm not a big sewer, so winning one is probably a more likely way for me to get my hands on one of these.} :)

[Pipany]

I had never heard of Morsbags Ginny, so thank you. We use our own or the bags for life, but it is a great scheme. x

[Nina - Tabiboo]

Hi Ginny,

I too have never heard of Morsbags, but I do keep several reusable bags in the back of the buggy for any trips into town and for supermarket shops it's the bags for life which again is plastic so any alternative or schemes are a fantastic idea.

Nina x

[Emma & Rachel]

Hi Ginny, Congrats on a great post this week. I'm loving your morsebag and thanks for taking the time to make some more and passing them on. Dont forget to pop back to the post and add your link at the bottom so that we can all read your post.
thanks again :D
Emma & Rachel (tlbg) x

[Simone]

I would love to have a Morsbag! I already use the supermarket bag for life scheme but they do look incredibly tatty by the time I give them up for a new one! I will check out the Morsbag website too! x

[caireen]

Although I have plenty of alternatives, I would also like to enter the draw for one of your lovely bags! I must admit during the past weeks when I was crazily busy, I kept forgetting my bags, or they would get filled up with things around my desk and not get taken out... you can never have enough bags. My hub needs one as he keeps bringing home the plastic - can you make a manly bag?

[Heidi]

The Morsbags project is fantastic! I am already a convert to reusable bags not only for the environmental impact but because the bags are more durable. I would love to enter the draw for one of your bags so I can help convert more family members on the benefits of reusable bags.

[Louise]

A beautifully made bag. I do have some cottony alternatives, but would love a Morsbag. I use these types of bags for storing things around the home too. x

[marie]

Hi Ginny,

I am trying to be environmentally aware and use alternatives to plastic, but I do have a habit of just popping into the supermarket and then remembering that I didn't bring a bag!

Thank you for pointing me in the direction of this site and if ever I can find the time in my busy schedule, I will try to make one. In the meantime, I would love to be entered in your giveaway.

Marie x

[yael]

that's agreat idea that now (at least in israel) is catching up - and yours are so beautiful. thanks for the chance to win - i would love to have one...