I just reuse the paper bags, and I really wish someone would sell slightly thicker better-built paper bags because they have a lot of good attributes versus reusable bags. They biodegrade, they're made from waste and recycled wood and paper pulp, and they can be produced locally. The only thing that makes them not ideal is the handles tear off.
Frequently the store staff have to double-bag everything with paper because the bags tear so easily. But when double-bagged I can get 5 or 10 uses out of them, which suggests that the bag just needs to be thicker to be highly reusable.
>> The only thing that makes them not ideal is the handles tear off.
Do you live in California? Nevada? I bet it is somewhere hot and dry. Paper bags are not fun in the pacific northwest, or the north, or deep south ... basically anywhere with moisture in the air. Either you put them down in a puddle by accident, or you get snow on them and it melts in your car on the way home. Either way, the bottom will fall out the moment you pick them up.
Frequently the store staff have to double-bag everything with paper because the bags tear so easily. But when double-bagged I can get 5 or 10 uses out of them, which suggests that the bag just needs to be thicker to be highly reusable.