For-Keeps Re-useable Shopping Bags Blog

When is a box not a box? When it's the Reisenthel Shopping Box

2011-09-20T17:31:00.036+01:00

At For-Keeps.co.uk we know a good idea when we see one, and they don’t get much better than the Reisenthel Shopping Box. We’re experts in innovative solutions for shopping bags and storage (amongst other things!), so when we set our eyes on the Shopping Box, we knew we were on to a good thing.

Of course it’s great for popping into the supermarket trolley for a ‘plastic-bag-free’ grocery trip; the strong handles make light work of transferring the weekly shop from trolley to car and into the house, the aluminium sides keeping everything safely inside and the tear-proof fabric withstanding all manner of knocks and scrapes.

But it’s when the shopping’s packed away that Shopping Box really comes into its own. It would be a shame to hide its good looks away, and its 40l capacity is just crying out to be used more than once a week – we’ve used ours for a laundry basket, extra packing space for a weekend away, a toy box, somewhere to stow out of season clothes, and it has safely transported children’s projects to school on many occasions!

And if you ever find yourself without a job for the Shopping Box to do, it folds flat to be tucked in to a handy corner – but it’s so useful, it won’t be tucked away for long.

The Reisenthel Shopping Box is priced £22 and is available at www.for-keeps.co.uk along with many more brilliant storage and luggage idea

The collapsible portable box with a huge amount of storage space:
· 2 stable sides, folds small for storage

· 1 zip pocket inside

· 2 shopping cart tokens in small pocket

· Folded box is fastened together using 2 snap fasteners

· Dimensions: L 42 x W 37 x H 28cm, volume 43L

Room For Some More?

2010-05-07T18:29:00.007+01:00

If spring days spark wardrobe confusion- jacket or cardigan, umbrella or rain coat- the Expandable Shopper is the answer to your weather dilemmas! No more carrying excess clothing over your arm 'just in case', the Expandable Shopper can start the day as a handbag and cleverly unzip around the circumference to increase its capacity to accommodate those discarded layers.

The ingenuity doesn't stop there- a handy little concealed pocket in the base is designed to hold an oyster card or security pass, so no more frantic rummaging as you approach the scanner- simply swiped the bottom of the bag over the reader and away you go!

Extremely sturdy, yet undeniably chic, the Expandable Shopper is idea for 'one bag' weekends away, student books, business files, shopping trips- in fact any time you unexpectedly need a little for space.

FAREWELL PLASTIC BAGS!

2010-01-30T17:41:00.005Z

Being housebound during the snow actually gave me a chance to do some much-needed sorting-out around the house after Christmas. As strange as it seems, the most satisfying part was finally clearing out the drawer of tatty old 'bags for life' that I'd been hoarding for far too long. Anyway, now that I'm free of plastic bags (recycled responsibly of course!), my collection of shoppers and trolley bags has really come into its own.

I was never one for those hessian bags - frankly they were too bulky to store and too awkard to take out. Now, I keep my Supermarket Trolley Bags, each folded to the size of an umbrella, in a Mini-Maxi Shopper on the back of the kitchen door next to the shopping list, ready to fling over my shoulder on my way to the shops.

My collection of Mini-Maxi Shoppers are strategically placed where I need them most - one in the car's glove compartment, a couple in the kitchen, one in my handbag - I even have a Keyring Shopper which doubles up as a reminder to pick up my eco bags when i pick up the car keys.

So I've not only freed up valuable drawer space in my kitchen but I've not needed an 'emergency' plastic bag in weeks! Result!

The Bootliner Bag

2010-01-06T10:00:00.008Z

Ever wanted a bag that you can open out flat, throw everything in, and then throw it over your shoulder for transportation? This carrier is a large sheet of plastic that has a drawstring, enabling you to shove everything you want onto the bag, pull the cord closed, maintaing a neat and tidy home!

Its big enough for the kids to make a mess on with their toys, but small enough to fit in your boot!

Personally? I like to take it to the wet washing to the laundry cupboard beacause its even waterproof. Sometimes I take it to the nursery to put the pot plants on so that the mud doesnt spill inside my car boot.

To find this product on our website click here

A green Christmas idea.

2009-11-30T19:58:00.005Z

HOW to WRAP PRESENTS with a

re-usable bag

1. Materials needed: 1 BAGGU, 1 gift, some recycled paper for stuffing

2. Remove BAGGU from pouch and half open it halfway with crinkled paper

3. Add gift and cover with more crinkled paper

4. Add pouch for your lovely gift recipient

5. Tie handles into loops

6. Almost there!

7. OPTIONAL turn bundle over and pull bottom corners of bag together. Safety pin for maximum roundness

8. Add gift bag and Voila!

Your bag is a security risk! Unbelievable I know.

2009-10-16T09:13:00.006+01:00

In The Sunday Times last week, I read an article about how the big handbags that woman carry around, are endangering them. It attracted my attention because it seemed so absurd. On further reading, it turned out not to be absurd at all. Think about this: You are walking towards your car in a car park. As you cross the car park you start feeling around in the bottom of your handbag for your keys, maybe your mobile. And inevitably, you cannot find them. So you stop at the car, open up the handbag even wider and rummage around some more. This is the point where you are vulnerable. Your bag could be snatched. You could be mugged! I'm sorry, it sounds horrible, but it's true.

On the for-keeps website there is help at hand. A VIP Organiser Pocket for your handbag. Mine is truly a life (and time) saver. When I get out of my car, I put my keys into my VIP organiser. They are at hand and easily accessible when I am ready to get back into my car. I'm not as good with my phone. I put it in the back pocket of my jeans pocket (and run the risk of it falling in to the loo when I'm "visiting" - It happened). I'm definitely getting better though. I try and remember to put my phone in little pouch on the side of the VIP, especially for mobiles. There is space for your purse, your diary, make up, small change. And when you swop handbags, you simply take out the VIP and pop it in to the new choice of bag.

They are brilliant. Honestly. This is not just sales talk. It's passion for practicality. Do not worry. You won't have to say goodbye to your designer shoppers and all the other cavernous bags that we so love to use.

So visit us at www.for-keeps.co.uk and get your handbag, and your life, organised. Today

RECYCLE WEEK 22nd-28th JUNE

2009-06-22T13:05:00.003+01:00

22nd - 28th June

This week is National Recycle Week. It is an annual event to kick-start new habits that can help us all to all waste less and recycle more. Recycle Week has been running for 5 years. Each year a different theme is chosen. This year the theme is "Let's waste less". The focus is on each and everyone of us cutting back on our waste, thinking about what we could recycle instead of waste.

From recycling more of everyday items like glass and plastic bottles to reusing carrier bags or composting at home, there are lots of opportunities to promote how we can all reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill.

The Recycle Now campaign is asking people to sign up and pledge to do something to combat waste http://www.recyclenow.com/ Loads of people have already signed up.

Here at For-Keeps we are committed to combatting waste by making sure that everyone we know has one of our amazing re-useable, ultra strong BAGGU BAGS.

They fold up into neat little squares and can be slipped easily in to your handbag or back pack. Perfect for every visit to the shops. We've just had a shipment of BAGGU's arrive this week. There are glorious summer colours - Orange, Lime, Purple and Cherry - to choose from. You can never have too many Baggu Bags. We know. We carry them around with us wherever we go and without being smug, we always feel we have made a small contribution to combatting waste and making our environment that little bit better off.

Get your Baggu Bag today @ www.for-keeps.co.uk. You'll never leave home without it. We guarantee.

Get a bag habit - NOW

2009-05-06T13:36:00.003+01:00

Getting a bag habit is the best possible habit you can have in these tough times. We need to look after ourselves and our world - but we can look good doing it. Visit our eco-chic emporium to find out how.

The Government and the British Retail Consortium have launched their “Get a bag habit” campaign. The aim is to encourage everyone to reuse carrier bags This follows a commitment by seven leading supermarkets to reduce the number of bags given out by 50 % by the end of May this year. Since 2006 retailers have already reduced the number of bags that they give our by a hefty 26 %.

On average we each use more than 160 new carrier bags in a year. That amounts to around 400 per household. You can change this. Get a bag habit today.

JOIN us at www.for-keeps.co.uk to support this amazing Government initiative. Use this promotional code to get 10% off any purchase from our website until the end of May 2009 and help us to help you to “get a bag habit”.

PROMOTIONAL CODE: GABH09

We all lead busy lives, so it’s quite easy to forget to take our bags along with us when we go shopping. Here are a few tips to help make sure you don’t forget your bags:

TOP TIPS ON GETTING A BAG HABIT:

Try keeping a bag tucked in your handbag or jacket pocket so you’re always prepared - a baggu bag or mini maxi shopper from For Keeps will do the trick.

If you often forget to take your bags with you, why not put them somewhere you’re likely to see them? Perhaps near your front door. Bright coloured ones are the best to jog your memory.

You can also keep them in the boot of your car so you have them ready for next time. Put a note on your dashboard so you don’t go into the shop without them

Ask your employer if you can set up a carrier bag dispenser somewhere at work, perhaps in the kitchen. Then, people can use the bags at lunchtime

Children like getting involved, so why not ask them to remind you? Easy stars for the star chart.

Why not make up a handy memory aid such as ‘KWB’ (Keys, Wallet and Bags)?

THIS IS ONE OF OUR FAVOURITES:

THE REISENTHEL MINI-MAXI SHOPPER. IT COMES IN A HANDY POUCH, AND HOLDS A LOT OF SHOPPING. SO DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT. Only £8.50 - but don't forget to use the discount code above when you order.

Get on your bike

2009-03-17T10:26:00.000Z

Traffic in the morning rush hour, is now slower than before the congestion charge was introduced in February 2006. (Evening Standard. Oct 2007) So, GET ON YOUR BIKE.

FACT: Cycling is the fastest, most efficient way of getting around London. In addition, you will getter fitter, leaner and all round healthier going to work this way. No more getting caught in the school run traffic, the endless gridlock on the M25 or taking unknown detours to avoid yet more road works.

If you are using public transport, the misery is over. No more tube strikes, bus delays and “leaves on the track”. No need to plan an alternative journey. The only planning you will need to do is to find the most direct route to your destination.

FACT: Cycling is cheaper than any other form of transport. With the price of petrol going up and up, it’s time to dust off the handlebars and get on your bike. Bicycle shops offer a choice of bikes, at a range of prices. Once you have bought your bike and accessories, the maintenance costs far outweigh having to pay for petrol, for parking, Oyster cards, and the “oops I forgot again” Congestion Charge.

According to figures released by CTC, the UK’s national cycling organisation, more than 4 million people in the UK use their cars to drive less than 3 miles to work! It makes sense that if more people cycled these shorter distances to work, we would be well on the way to reducing carbon emissions and making the nation fitter.

Before you brave the traffic in London, you may want to enrol in a cycle training course to improve your skills, make you more aware of the requirements to ride on the road, and boost your confidence. Contact your local borough to see what they offer or go to http://www.lcc.org.uk/ - the website of The London Cycle Campaign. Have a look at the “advice” section. It offers some great tips to the new and the experienced cyclist.

Don’t forget to wear a helmet at all times, to use a headlamp and wear a fluorescent jacket to ensure you are visible to motorists – and bendy bus drivers.

All that’s left is to GET PEDALLING.

Useful links:
http://www.cycletraining.co.uk/
http://www.gopedal.co.uk/

A Green Idea for Christmas

2008-11-03T17:02:00.003Z

Wrap your gifts this Christmas with a difference. The goodwill continues long after the holidays have passed. Use one of our reusable bags as gift wrap and make a difference. We have bright and festive colours to choose from.