Tote bags are often used as reusable shopping bags. A typical shopping bag is made of durable fabric, probably with thick leather on the handles and bottom. Leather versions often have a grainy surface. Common fabrics include canvas, jute, nylon, and other easy-care synthetic fibers, which can deteriorate after prolonged exposure to sunlight. Plain tote bags budget tote bags are often made from recycled materials, minimally processed natural fibers, or by-products from the process of upgrading organic materials. The word tote is a colloquial English term (originally North American) meaning "to carry" or "to transport", generally in relation to a heavy load or burden. It is first recorded in Virginia in 1677, but its etymology is uncertain.An alleged African origin has been discredited. It may be related to Low German tute ("bag"), cognate with German. Tote bags are large, often unattached bags with parallel handles protruding from the sides of the pouch.

The term "tote bag" is first recorded in 1900. Recently, tote bags have been sold as a more ecofriendly replacement for disposable plastic bags, given they can be reused multiple times. They have also been given away as promotional items. A study by the UK Environment Agency found that cotton canvas bags have to be reused at least 131 times before they can match the carbon expenditure of a single disposable plastic bag, and up to 327 times if the plastic bags are used as bin liners. Another 2018 study by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency found that cotton bags would need to be used 7,100 times to neutralize their environmental impact.

Tote bags made from recycled polypropylene plastic require 11 (up to 26 when considering reuse as bin liners for plastic bags) reuses to match. According to a 2014 survey of US consumers, 28% of respondents who own reusable bags forget the bag in about 40% of their shopping trips and throw it once before throwing it away. I used it only about 15 times. Approximately half of this group owns reusable bags and, despite recognizing their benefits, usually chooses to use plastic bags over reusable bags. More and more jurisdictions require the phasing out of lightweight plastic bags to reduce land and sea pollution. To encourage consumers to consider reusable bags more often, these laws set a minimum bag price at checkout, paper, reusable cloth tote bags, or thick reusable bags. Request one of the possible plastic bags.

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