The Tote Buddy Review and Giveaway!

Does this sound familiar…here a bag, there a bag, everywhere a plastic bag?  If, for whatever reason, you are not yet bringing your own bags or tend to forget on most occasions, keep in mind these quick facts:

• 300 – 400 billions are distributed every year and 60,000 used every five seconds.
• Since petroleum is required to produce plastic bags that can equate to throwing away millions of barrels of oil.
• Nearly 200 species of sea life including whales, dolphins and turtles die due to plastic bags.
• Paper bags are not a better option as they require more energy to produce than plastic and 80% end up in landfills.
• Watch this slide show to learn more about the dangers of plastic bag use and read this article from Earth911.

One of the things I always struggled with was how to keep my reusable bags organized.  I’d have one or two in the car on the floor, two or three in the kitchen from the most recent trip, and therefore not where I needed all of them the most…in the checkout line!

The Tote Buddy

Then I came across The Tote Buddy and founder, Julie Zizka was kind enough to send me one to try out.  Serving like a briefcase or portfolio, I can fold up my bags – six thick canvas bags in all – nicely and neatly.  It can hang on a chair or on the backdoor knob so I will not forget to leave the house without them.   It’s easy to take in the store and pull out just what is needed as there have been a few times when I had too many bags but usually not enough as I had left a few at home.  I personally keep a master grocery list taped inside so I don’t have to keep making lists on little pieces of paper.  It’s great and I love it!  Check out their site and video here.

Floral Tote Buddy

Best of all you can love it too.  For your chance at receiving a Tote Buddy, you must do one of the following:

Note: To be eligible you must be a Modern Hippie Mag subscriber receiving our updates via email, or RSS, Facebook fan, and/or Twitter follower (tell us your Twitter name in your comment below).

1. The Tote Buddy comes in a festive floral pattern and stylish black, in a comment tell us your preferred style.

2. Follow The Tote Buddy, @thetotebuddy

3. Fan The Tote Buddy on Facebook.

4. Tweet this {Giveaway} Tote Buddy Reusable Bag Organizer http://bit.ly/diDXqT via @modernhippiemag @thetotebuddy

More details:

• Open to U.S. entrants only.
• Recipients chosen at random using random.org.
• Won something in the last thirty days?  Last month’s winners are ineligible for this giveaway.
• Giveaway ends 12 midnight on Wednesday, Feb 24th, 2010.  Winner will be announced on Thursday, Feb 25th, 2010.
• Winner will be contacted via email and/or Twitter.  You will have 48 hours to respond at which time another winner will be randomly chosen.

Jeanne Blaisdell

Jeanne Blaisdell publishes TheGreenSamaritan.com, her personal blog highlighting green living tips and information in order to help herself and others on their journey towards greater environmental awareness. She has also launched EcoAvenueLtd.com, an online shopping site featuring the latest deals and promotions from a collection of earth-friendly merchants. Jeanne lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with her husband Tom and two boys, Jack (10) and Ben (7). You can follow her @GreenSamaritan and @EcoAvenueltd.