While camping is an excellent green vacation, bringing small children along means you have to plan accordingly. The younger ones may not be as gung-ho about hiking, particularly since their short legs have to take more steps. They may not be able to climb craggy trails as well either and whitewater rafting is usually out. On our last camping trip, we visited the playground at Patapsco Valley State Park to entertain the kids. I’d heard how much fun the 2 acre recycled tire play area was but I had never had a chance to actually visit.
Review of Chico Bags
What is better than bringing your own reusable bag to the store? Bringing a Chico bag, of course! Chico bags are reusable bags that fit into a tiny bag when not in use. They are perfect for keeping in your purse, pocket or car glovebox for shopping trips. Because it has an attached carabineer on the stuff sac, you can also hook it to another bag or belt loop if needed.
I love products that make your life easier and are green, therefore I love Chico Bags! I have used reusable bags for several years and while I love my old bags these is so much more convenient. I keep mine in my glovebox and grab it when I go into the store. It is much easier to remember than my other bags, which I keep in my trunk.
I own the Original Chico bag, which is made of polyester and holds about 25 pounds. Recently Chico came out with their RePETe bag. It is made of 99% recycled materials and claims “This bag is made from 7 plastic bottles!” on the bag. For a few dollars more, this bag is even more unique than the original and is a conversation-starter.
Chico bags also have two other bags, the Vita and a few Limited Edition bags. The Vita bag has longer straps and carries up to 40 lbs. I can see this bag being very useful at a farmer’s market or a festival where you might want a bag that is more comfortable to carry and has room for more purchases, The Limited Edition bags support an eco-friendly organization or are in celebration of green product or company. Currently, they have a Gorgeously Green bag in support of the book Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano.
Pros
• Bag is easy to use
• When not in use it stores in stuff sack
• Lightweight yet holds 25 lbs
• Different bag styles and colors
• Machine washable
• Economically priced
• Produced in a fair labor, fair wage factory
Cons
• RePETe bags are more expensive
Did you know?
According to the EPA, in 2006 the US (residents, businesses, and institutions) generated more than 251 million tons of trash (municipal solid waste or MSW). This equates to about 4.6 pounds of waste per person per day. Of that 4.6 pounds, 1.5 pounds was recycled and around .1 pound was composted. The remaining 3 lbs of trash was discarded or incinerated. The largest portion of waste generated, 31.7 percent, was made up of containers and packaging. See the full report at http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/pubs/msw06.pdf