* * The Esse store is no longer accepting orders as of March 15th **

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most common questions we receive!

There are so many options - how do I select the best reusable bags for my lifestyle and needs?

We have a free guide available to explain the types of bags, materials they are made from, and advantages / disadvantages of each choice - Esse's Guide to Reusable Bags

How do I fold and take care of my Esse bags?

We have a free guide available to walk you through folding and care of our products – Esse Bag Care and Folding Instructions

How do we remember our bags?

Our most sincere hope is that you will enjoy using your Esse bags SO much that you will be inspired to remember them. They’re smart and stylish and you’ll be the envy at the grocery store. Other than that… we recommend that you keep them in your car, preferably somewhere in your front seat where you can grab them on your way in to the store. After each use, fold them back up, put them by your keys, purse, backpack, etc, and return them to your car on your next trip out the door. 

We also have door hangers to remind you to bring your bags – if you don’t have one contact us and we’ll send one to you for free, no purchase required!

What should I do with all the cheap reusable bags that I already have?

Give them to your local food shelf (filled with food of course!), donate to your local market or library and start a bag share program, or use them to take your old clothes to Goodwill.

I never have enough bags! Any suggestions?

Esse’s line of reusable bags allows you to create a system that’s just right for you. Large family or once every other week shopper? Add more of all of the bags to your CarryAll tote. Live alone or shop daily? One Everyday bag and 2 produce bags in a drawstring Pack Bag may be all you need. You decide how many, what types and what pattern and colors to create your own unique everyday shopping solution.

What to do with our animal pooh?

Why not use the bags that come into your home already- bread bags, bagel bags, cereal and newspaper bags. Believe us, those pesky plastic bags will STILL make their way into your house now and then. Nobody’s perfect all the time. Just be resourceful.

What to do for my small garbage can liners?

We recommend not using a liner for smaller cans and just dumping into larger containers once or twice a week. Get a bag or two now and then for repurposing needs but most of all, RECYCLE and compost everything you possibly can!

How to use Esse bags:

The CarryAll Tote stores all your reusable bags in one cute and convenient tote! The tote has pockets for all your reusable bags as well as extra pockets for coupons, lists, receipts, whatever!

The Everyday Bag folds, rolls and is secured by an elastic band. The everyday bag replaces plastic bags every time you shop! Leave one in your tote for carrying meats and anything that may leak and always have at least one in your purse or briefcase for on-the-fly shopping.

The Produce Bag allows you to Wash, Shop & Store all in one bag! They replace the flimsy one-time use produce bags found in the bulk isle. You can fit up to 4 produce bags in the side pockets of the tote or hang a Pack Bag (or two) with 3 bags on the handle.

The Grocery Bag folds into an 8″ square and is designed to replace the brown paper bag – great for dry and canned goods. Up to 5 will fit inside the main body of the CarryAll tote.

A few facts about paper and plastic bags:

  • The average American uses well over 300 plastic bags a year!
  • 500 BILLION bags are produced annually, and ess than 10% of those bags ever get recycled appropriately.
  • 14 million trees are cut down annually just to make “one-time use” paper grocery bags.
  • The recycling of paper bags uses tremendous amounts of water and energy.
  • We’ve all heard of the garbage patch 2 times the size of Texas… hundreds of thousands of fish, birds and animals are harmed and killed every day,