A reusable bag, often called a ‘bag for life’, is a type of bag for carrying your shopping items that is durable to be reused several times.

It is the alternative to using a plastic bag, which are not able to be recycled and are disposable.

Plastic bags were first introduced in 1977 and now account for four out of every five bags handed out at supermarket stores.

Most plastic bags are made from non-renewable resources like polyethylene, which is made from crude oil and natural gas. They are disliked due to the fact that they create pollution in lakes, rivers and oceans.

ORIGIN

That is why the reusable bag has been growing immensely in popularity over the last few years to replace it.

It originally started in 2000, when the ‘green’ movement began its momentum and bag manufacturers started producing as early as the 1990s.

Used mainly for shopping, they are presently available in supermarkets and clothing shops.

REUSABLE BAG MATERIAL

These packable bags were made from all sorts of materials from cotton to nylon. They require less waste of natural resources, with fewer carbon dioxide emissions produced.

Throughout the ‘90s polypropylene was used, as well as non-woven PP. The search for a cost-effective, durable material is ever-growing; and nowadays, they are also made from fabric such as canvas, woven synthetic fibres, or a thick plastic that can be used repeatedly.

FASHION

As stated, the late ‘90s really took off for reusable bags as according to the United States International Trade Commission Import Database; almost 3 billion bags were imported into the US.

The popularity in this environmentally friendly trend occurred in other countries world-wide too including the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

LEGISLATION

Even laws have been passed supporting its usage! Cities in provinces in the US, Mexico, the UK and Australia have recently approved legislation and many have banned throw-away shopping bags. Some governments started to impose taxes on distribution of disposable plastic bags and are regulating the use of them.

The bags are not just a legal requirement though; they are also a fashion trend. Reusable shopping bags have been customised over the years to create personality and now they can come in all sorts of sizes, colours and themes.

Famous designers and fashion brand companies are promoting their original shopping bags and releasing new designs constantly. British designer Anya Hindmarch’s “I’m Not A Plastic Bag” (an unbleached cotton bag) sold out in one day.

USE IN THE UK AND IRELAND

Some bags which are sold in the supermarkets cost around 10p per bag and often have designs relating to nature and the environment. Because the bags are recycled the retailer earns a small amount of money per bag. Loyalty schemes can include giving customer points for bringing their own bags, with the reward of discounts and coupons as incentives to use reusable bags.

Waitrose’ was the first supermarket to use them in the UK and in 2008 Marks and Spencer gave each customer a bag for life for free.

Apollo Bags was the first company in the United Kingdom to introduce the popular shopping bag with a rubber-based biodegradable lining which will degrade within our lifetime.

In Ireland, they were introduced when the Plastic Bag Environmental Levy was brought in to reduce the massive amount of disposable bags being used annually. Bags costing 70 euro cents or more are exempt from the levy.

So be eco-friendly with one of Ulster Weavers array of fantastic packable bags! You can now shop in style with a choice of canvas, PVC or Microfibre bags with dozens of designs to choose from for every purpose. Never again will you have to hang your head in shame by using a plastic bag.

Puffin PVC Shoulder Bag

V&A Omar PVC Packable Bag

The history of the English word ‘apron’ originates from the old French word ‘naperon’, meaning napkin or small table cloth.

Traditionally when we think of aprons we imagine them being used for cooking however, there has been some research to suggest aprons were referenced way back in Biblical times when Adam and Eve sewed together fig leaves to make an apron to cover themselves.

We also stereotype them being associated with women but it was actually men who wore aprons first as an item of hygienic protective clothing. They served as a cover-up for tasks that tend to be messy, in occupations such as butchers, welders and bakers to protect both their clothing and bodies from their work.

Throughout the centuries the style and usage of aprons has adapted to reflect society movements and trends.

YEARS OF PROGRESS

In the fourteenth century dark-coloured aprons started to be worn tied around the waist whereas 10 years later the colour of an apron started to become more apparent; with barbers wearing a checked pattern, butchers wearing green and masons (stone builders) sporting white.

In the seventeenth century romantic connotations derived from the apron and it wasn’t until a decade later that the pinafore apron was pinned to clothing.

Over the years long aprons were created to cover but protect your attire, and going into the twentieth century creativity blossomed with beautiful prints with bright sashes and knitted aprons developing.

During the 1950s aprons gained huge popularity with regards to being used for cooking as they donned appearances on television.

Women were portrayed as homemakers and perfect mothers who always wore an apron, no matter what. Until this time, the apron had only been thought of as a functional piece of the wardrobe.

In the 1960s half-aprons with attached hand towels were sure-fire hits, along with aprons sewn with plastic hoops or decorative material.

PRESENT TIMES

Nowadays, they are often used when grilling a barbecue and are very popular with modern-day themes. They are much more stylish and are quite fashionable, even being used as ‘muses’ for fashion designers for their collections on runways.

They continue to be used in the work sectors, with nurses, waitresses, dentists, and cleaners wearing them as a guard against dirt for hygiene and damage.

Check out the wide variety of cotton, PVC Aprons and Children’s Aprons at Ulster Weavers, with just about every style you can think of. You’ll definitely find an apron to suit you and your kitchen.

We’ve got the very plain to the shapeliest retro designs, all with matching coordinates at www.ulsterweavers.com.