om acks: Goodbye Plastic

from Queens Family March 2020

ditor’s ote

The Best Reusable Shoppin g Ba g s The ban on single-use plastic bags is now in effect — here are our favorites for NYC life

By IsaBelle Bousquette I t’s time to get your hands on some reusable shopping bags, New Yorkers! The statewide ban on single-use plastic bags went into effect on March 1st, 2020. Every retail establishment that pays a sales tax, from grocery to clothing stores, will be switching to paper bags. More likely than not, they’ll be charging 5 cents for those bags. So instead of getting flustered at the checkout counter (should you just spring for the extra 5 cent bag or can you carry a carton of milk for five blocks?) come prepared with a reusable shopping bag!

But with so many great reusable shopping bags out there, how do you find the one that’s right for you? For New Yorkers who walk everywhere (except the places they take the subway), portability and convenience are key. We want the bags that zip up and fit in our purses when we’re not using them. Bags that don’t tear from the hustle and bustle of NYC streets. Bags that say: “I’m prepared, I’m environmentally conscious, and yes, I’m a New Yorker.”

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a list of the best reusable shopping bags that, like you, are ready to take on the big city.

Best Produce Bag: Net Zero Double Handle Cotton Net Market Tote Bag If you’re a frequent produce shopper, check out Net Zero’s Double Handle Cotton Net Market Tote Bag. The double strap design means this bag functions as a both handbag and over-the-shoulder bag for when it gets heavier. The straps are 100% cotton and are very durable. You can fill the bag with cans, and it still won’t break (although it won’t look as aesthetic as it does filled with fruit). The mesh style is not necessarily the best pick for comprehensive grocery shopping. However, it is perfect for a trip to the farmer’s market or a romantic stroll down the produce aisle! $18.99, netzerocompany. com

Best Collapsable Bag: BeeGreen Basic Reusable Grocery Bags The adorable patterns aren’t the best part of the BeeGreen Basic Reusable Grocery Bags (although they’re close). These bags fold up into a square pouch, meaning they’re easy to carry around in your purse or pocket. Then, when you’re ready to do your grocery shopping, unfold and fill them with as much as you can. The reinforced stitching means they’re able to carry up to 50 lbs! The BeeGreen bags are so compact, you can keep one with you at all times. That way, if you decide to make a spur of the moment stop at the supermarket, you’re always prepared.$14.55 for a pack of five, beegreenbags.com

Best Fashionable Bag: Verloop Knits Gossamer Reversible Bag This bag from Verloop is made of gorgeous iridescent gossamer and comes in a rainbow of fun colors. It’ll catch the sunlight as easily as it’ll catch all your friends’ attention. It won’t necessarily hold as much as other reusable shopping bags, but what it lacks in volume, it makes up for in style. Straight from Verloop’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection, this is a bag that’s definitely high fashion. And, if you’re passionate about mindfully created, innovative products, it’s worth checking out the rest of Verloop’s line. Who knows? You might find a gorgeous gossamer scarf to match your reusable bag! $34, shop.verloopknits.com

where children and grown-ups learn and play together

For 8 months – 3½ years RegisteR now foR spRing & summeR at our Bayside Location

Join Us For Fun • Arts & Crafts • Music • Stories • Creative Movement • Playtime • Narrow Age Spans • Maximum 10 Children Per Class • 1½ Hour Classes • Professional Staff

“Just For Me” 2½ – 3½ Separation Program Partial Separation Classes Also Available

Infant Classes and ABC Enrichment Classes also available For information call 1-800-404-2204 or 516-433-0003 Or log onto our website: www.justweetwo.com Other Locations: Park Slope & Brooklyn Heights, Plainview & Manhasset, Greenwich & North Stamford, CT

Summer School (July 1 to August 12) Regents classes for credit advancement. Advance one year in one or two subjects! Tuition: $880.00 per class (Two classes required to earn full year course credit) Regents Exams Available August 13 and 14 Required Labs Available $680.00 ENGLISH: (All classes include writing skills) Middle School English English 9th Grade English 10th Grade English 11th Grade English 12th Grade MATHEMATICS: Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Pre-Calculus 1 Pre-Calculus 2 (AP Calc. A) SOCIAL STUDIES: U.S. History & Gov’t Economics Participation in Gov’t SCIENCE: Earth Science Living Environment Chemistry Physics COURSES Common Core Common Core Established in 1969 Accredited by the Middle States Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges Learn Today. Lead Tomorrow. 7+(:,1'6256&+22/

Cost: $880 per 90-minute class (6 weeks) Students are responsible for purchasing required test prep books (will be announced prior to the start of classes) 37-02 Main Street, Flushing, New York 11354 • (718) 359-8300 • www.thewindsorschool.com Modern Central Air Conditioned School Building When Classes Are Offered: July 1 – August 12 (6 weeks) | Monday – Friday English Section: (Reading, Writing, and Language) 90-minute class from 11:15am–12:45pm Math Section: 90-minute class from 12:55pm–2:25pm ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE TRANSFER AND 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR Grades 7-12 | Affordable Tuition – Merit Scholarship & Financial Aid Available Test Prep: SAT & ACT

Best Portable Bag: BagPodz Reusable Bags BagPodz is absolutely the best way to carry around a ton of reusable bags at the same time. While many reusable bags collapse into their own pouches, BagPodz conveniently hold up to ten reusable bags. When you hit the register, just keep taking out as many as you need to fit all your groceries. The pouch itself zips up and has a clip on the back so you can attach it to your shopping trolley (or your belt loop, if you prefer). BagPodz are also sustainably produced, making your shopping experience eco-friendly from start to finish. $34.95 for a pack of ten, bagpodz.com

Best “Big Shop” Bag: Lotus Trolley Bags You won’t want to carry the Lotus Trolley Bags around with you every day, but they’re perfect for that once-a-week “big shop.” If you know you’re about to load up on groceries, then the Lotus Bags conveniently spread across the cart accordion-style in an innovative patented design. One bag is insulated, one comes with a special container for eggs, one with a special pocket for produce. (But if you’re looking for more produce pockets, check out the Lotus Produce Bags, which come in a set of nine!) When you’re ready to take your shopping out of the trolley, the rods slide out and you can pick up the bags from their side handles. The bags themselves are eco-friendly and machine washable. This purchase really takes convenience to a whole new level. $36.99 for pack of four, lotustrolleybag.com

Best Lightweight Bag: Standard Baggu The Standard Baggu is kind of like your bread and butter when it comes to reusable shopping bags. It’s super basic and lightweight. Why do we like it? Because it comes in endless fun colors and prints, from red tartan to the Charlie Brown squad. Why do we love it? Because it’s made of 40% recycled nylon sourced from pre-consumer waste. The Standard Baggu holds 2-3 shopping bags (or 50 lbs.) worth of stuff, but it also comes in a Baby Baggu size and a Big Baggu size. Then, it folds up into a mini 5’’ by 5’’ pouch, so you can keep it with you at all times! $12, baggu.com

Best Versatile Bag: Clevermade Snapbasket The Clevermade SnapBasket will serve you well in grocery shopping, but it’s also an investment for life. Use it as a gym bag, a laundry bag or even an overnight bag. The “snap” refers to the fact that it conveniently collapses into a flat slab, making it easy to store or pack away. This is definitely a bag that can carry a heavy load, with strong vegan leather handles and a capacity of 30 liters. And, if you’re using it as a purse, it has a built-in zipper pocket to store your valuables. $34.99, clevermade.com

Best Over-the-Shoulder Bag: Flip & Tumble 24/7 Bag The 24/7 bag is compact and colorful. If you’re looking for a bag that sits comfortably over your shoulder, this is the one. The felt patch underneath the strap makes it comfortable on your shoulder and keeps it from slipping. The 24/47 bag won’t carry as much weight as some other reusable bags (it holds up to 35 lbs), but it does roll up into an exceptionally small (3”) ball. The 24/7 bag could definitely become your go-to reusable shopping bag, and you can pick it up in every color, from coral to peacock, to match every outfit! $13, flipandtumble.com

CERTIFIED SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS