07-05-2025
Six Irish-made reusable bags to pack as Penneys introduces paper bag charge
Penneys stores across the country are set to introduce a new charge for paper bags in a bid to reduce single-use waste.
The Irish retailer confirmed that customers will be charged for paper bags from next week and explained that the change is being introduced to clamp down on single-use waste.
A statement on the Penneys website read: 'Across our business we use thousands of paper bags every day. And while our paper bags are made from 100% recycled and recyclable materials, we want to reduce single-use paper waste in our business.
'Like most retailers, from the 12th May 2025, we will have a small charge for our paper bags. Reducing single-use paper is one small step we and our customers can take to reduce waste. We hope this encourages more shoppers to switch to re-usable bags.'
And for those on the hunt for a sustainable option when it comes to sturdy tote bags to bring the weekly shop home in, here are some options:
Costelloe + Costelloe, Dublin and online
Costelloe + Costelloe is a family-run vintage shop based on Chatham Street in Dublin offering a range of styles and colours in fashion accessories, including wraps, scarves, hats, clutches… and they're famous cotton tote bags.
The tote bags, which come in a range of different patterned designs, went viral on social media and have been a huge hit ever since.
The bags are practical and stylish, lightweight and machine washable. The tote measurements are 37cm tall x 45cm wide. Shop here.
Lucia Moreno Illustration, Cork and online
Born in la Mancha, Spain, Lucia, who grew up doodling, graduated from nursing school before leaving for the US for one year and then moving to Ireland, where she said 'things got real'.
An illustration graduate of St John's in Cork, Lucia runs an online shop where she sells her artwork as prints and on t-shirts and tote bags.
The 'Cois Farraige Maxi Tote', which is the perfect size for taking home the shopping or for those beach day essentials, is sustainably made with 80% recycled cotton and 20% recycled polyester.
The 'Irish Essentials Tote Bag' - perfect for your Aldi dates - features all of the essentials found in an Irish household, including Derrygold butter, Taytos, Brennans bread, Batchelorsa bakes beans, Dairy Milk and Barry's Tea, and is made from 100% cotton.
Shop the bags here.
St Luke's, Cork and online
Founded by a Parisian with a love for all things home and a fondness for Cork, St Luke's brings together a fusion of European inspiration and local flair.
The store's 'Mo Mhála Mór' and 'Bonjour' oversized cotton tote bags are designed with both style and practicality in mind and are perfect for shopping trips, beach outings, or daily use.
The first-ever product exclusively designed by and manufactured for St Luke's, the bags are made from 100% high-quality cotton and are 73cm x 44cm in size.
Shop the tote bags here.
Simone Walsh, Wexford and online
Simone Walsh sells her original paintings and prints on her online store and runs her gallery in Bridgetown in Wexford.
She offers tote bags featuring illustrations of a range of different towns across Ireland, including Dingle, Galway, Westport, Killarney, Ballina, Limerick, Wexford, as well as universities such as University College Dublin and University of Limerick.
The bags are 100% coated cotton and rainproof and can be purchased here.
Flying Fig, online
Flying Fig is a female-owned business based in Birr selling prints, mugs, cards, cushions, notebooks and bags.
The 'Irish Nostalgia Tote Bag' features 90s nostalgia illustrations, including Dustin the Turkey, the Child of Prague, red lemonade, and the Late Late Toy Show.
The tote is plastic-free, and Flying Fig products are packaged and sent in recyclable packaging.
The bag can be purchased here.
Pear Shaped Studio, Cork and online
Pear Shaped Studio was founded in 2016 by illustrator Fiona Foley during her year studying graphic design and illustration at Cork College of FET and has since grown into a full-time, small creative business.
The illustration on Fiona's 'Cork City Circle Tote Bag' tells the story of the River Lee as it splits in two for a short distance, forming an Island, the heart of the city, and features Cork city's most well-loved buildings and landmarks, as well as Cork's iconic bridges.
Printed double-sided on cotton fabric, the bag is lightweight and big enough to fit the daily essentials or a small food shop.
Shop the tote bag here.
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