Gecko Traders Recycled Market Bag

item #: GEK-05 | View all items from Global Girlfriend

 
4.8 out of 5 | 78 reviews
 
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Fair Trade market bags made from 100% recycled rice bags. Handmade in small batches by a women's co-op in Cambodia. Stylish, well designed and eco-friendly. Each one is unique.

Why It Gets Our Seal of Approval


    • 100% recycled from rice & feed bags originally used for transporting various goods in Asia
    • Handcrafted in small batches by disadvantaged workers in Cambodia
    • Lasts a lifetime – constructed with material prized for its strength & durability
    • Fully-certified Fair Trade Federation (FTF) member
    • Colorful, well designed & no two are exactly alike
    • Stands up on its own for easy packing
    • Available in limited edition prints/colors (note: more pics coming soon!)

    Like this bag? Also see:
    Recycled Wave Tote
    Recycled XL Koren Bag

    Once used for carrying commodities in Southeast Asia, the rice & feed bags used to create these one-of-a-kind pieces have been 100% recycled into a new life as stylish shopping totes. Each is skillfully crafted in small batches by a fully certified Fair Trade Co-op in Cambodia. All bags feature authentic prints & colorful dyes that will beautifully fade with wear.

    One-of-a-kind style: because these bags are handmade in small quantities, please be aware that certain colors may occasionally be unavailable and original prints will vary from bag to bag. The pictures on our site are meant to show the general look and we think you'll love the unique variety of each recycled bag as much as we do.


Dimensions:
12" H x 18" W x 6" D
10" loop handle

Design & Functionality
The Recycled Market Bags are a bit smaller than the Recycled Wave Totes but still hold plenty. Great-looking & super durable. Its heavy-duty construction provides another benefit: these shopping bags can stand on their own to facilitate easy loading. Constructed with tough as nails material the bags include box stitching at stress point. Holds about double the amount of a plastic grocery bag. Also great as a carry-all for around town or travel tote.

Materials
Recycled rice and feedbags

About Gecko Traders
Fair Trade Certified products guarantee a living wage to people in developing countries. Each bag sold helps provide sustainable living to Cambodian weavers & producers, many of whom are disabled / economically disadvantaged single mothers supporting households. This translates into a better life for many who have been disabled from polio or landmine injury, or pulled from brothels & taught a trade. Produced under the Fair Trade Certified label, these creations bring fair trade into the fashion world while helping people across the world improve their lives.

Care Instructions
Wipe down with a wet sponge. Spot clean / air dry. Colors may transfer to fabric / skin; avoid contact with chlorine & sunscreen

Country of Origin
Handmade in Cambodia. Fully certified Fair Trade Federation member
 
AVE. RATING 4.8 out of 5 | REVIEWS: 78 | Add Your Review
1 - 15 of 78

Great for grocery shopping or travel

 

by Holly J - 04/2012

I love the material that these bags are made out of. They are just the right height for grocery shopping. I have some taller shopping bags that require more effort to put the stuff in the bags because of their tallness, but these are just right. Everyone always admires them when I shop with them. I've had two for a really long time, and they've held up very well. I just bought two more because I like them so much! They're also great for car trips because it's so easy to get stuff in and out of them, and they stand up really well. The long handles make it easy to sling it over your shoulder.

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BEST company!!!

 

by thais h - 01/2012

Thank you for shipping out another bag for me free of charge! I still cant't believe at christmas time someone would SLASH open my package and put it into my post office box EMPTY!!!!! Very sad... Love the bag and will certainly recommend your store!!!

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Still great after all these years

 

by Monica S - 09/2011

I was one of the first to purchase Gecko bags - Market, Wave and Bucket - when they first appeared on this site. I still use them A LOT and am now in awe at how well they have held up given the way they've been used all these years.

Yes, these bags start at $20 plus, but they prove the adage "You get what you pay for". These bags are an investment, not just a purchase.

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Wish I could give 5 stars, but....

 

by Carolyn S - 08/2011

0 out of 1 customers found this review helpful

The Gecko Traders bags are beautifully designed, and I owned a few of them before I realized they cannot be used to transport anything wet, as there is, in fact, the real possibility of color transfer. Granted, it takes a lot to get the color to transfer, but the point is, the color is not permanent and can either rub or bleed off.
Here is how I found out: Worried about this possibility, and wanting to know if the bags could be washed intermittently, I tried washing a couple of them in the machine (cold water, mild detergent, gentle cycle). They came out fine, if a little faded. I did notice some of the color on one of them had been removed in places. I also noticed what looked like color transfer on one bag, so I dabbed at the spot with a little rubbing alcohol. To my horror, the color completely dissolved! Then I decided to try hand scrubbing them to remove the graphics entirely, but it proved to be way too labor intensive. Now they sit in a closet unused, while I try to figure out what to do with them. So sad! If only, if only the recycled fabric had been somehow sealed before the bags were sewn so they could be safely used for the many purposes they are designed for!

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awesome bag

 

by Carolyn S - 06/2011

We have a similar bag to the Gecko Market Bag and it's lasted us for years. Having a second one is great as it means twice the sturdy carry-all awesomeness. The bag is water resistant and easy to clean (just a quick rinse or wipe down works fine).

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great product

 

by Carol H - 02/2011

Good site, great bags, no problems with mailing time. I have 2 of the recycled rice bags one pink the other green/blue, they are durable, beautiful and everywhere I use them I get " What a beautiful bag" comments. I will buy more recycled products from this company.

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BEST BAG EVER!!

 

by Karen M - 01/2011

The Gecko Traders Recycled Market Bags are the only bags one ever needs for groceries or anything else one might carry. I use them daily for carrying the children's toys, at the beach, for anything and of course, the groceries. They are very interesting to look at and people ask about the bags all the time. They will last forever as they are so incredibly well made. I love that they are recycled and I am using them instead of awful plastic bags. I have even used one as a purse! They also make great gifts!!!

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SHIPPED WRONG COLOR / HASSLE W/REFUND

 

by Sharron M - 09/2010

2 out of 2 customers found this review helpful

Purchased 4 of these market bags. The wrong color was shipped. All 4 bags. The bins had been stocked incorrectly and the packers didn't catch the mistake thus customers ordering Blue / Green received only green bags. Requested label to ship back. Was instructed before authorizing a label they had to first make certain it was their mistake. They finally acknowledged it was. Shipped the merchandise back. When they paused to send the label, I decided I would not be making another purchase with them and just wanted a full refund. Well, here we are 2 weeks later and they still have not refunded my paypal account. I have the impression the company has shoddy customer service issues. Have sent email expressing 2 weeks is long enough to wait for a refund. What a hassle ! How many mistakes can a company make with what should have been a simple purchase and a simple return ? Makes you appreciate the professionalism of other companies such as LL Bean and Zappos.

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_3 _3 _3

 

by Aliza S - 07/2010

I just came back to reusable bags after two years of owning this bag. It has held up very well and i really put it to work, but un-fortunately has come apart from the seam on one handle where it meets the top of the bag. I'm sure i can fix that with a lil bit of very tight sewing. It's also worn at the same spots, but no biggie for 2 yrs of wear and tear, considering what i paid. Aside from that, this bag has been my favorite of all the reusable bags i have used. It is a workhorse. I use it to bike with my groceries and pile the produce and heavy products sky high. Like others have said, the fact that it stands up when filling and un-filling it is great. It's a cute bag and i get compliments as well. Oh and they're not kidding about the smell, but i just gave it a bath with fabric softener and left some inside the bag for a few days until it was no longer funky. Also, yes it bleeds, but i live in North florida where it is extremely humid on a regular basis and i think it has rubbed off on me once! I wouldn't suggest taking it to the pool or if you do , keep it far away from the water, same goes for the beach. Nuff said, besides GET THIS BAG. Seriously, for real.

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Gecko Traders Recycled Market Bag!

 

by Karen M - 07/2010

This is the best bag--so very strong, yet light weight and I lovthey are recycled! I love the little tiny weaving that has been done to make it so strong! I own lots of them and have given them as gifts! My husband loves the pink one!

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The Gecko Trader market bags are awesome

 

by Charlotte G - 06/2010

I have owned a six of these for several years (in pink!) and they carry such a heavy load, are totally waterproof, have super useful side pockets and are so bright they cheer up even the most dreary shopping day. I use these not only for groceries, but for ALL shopping. I just bought some more for my 22 year old daughter as she has just moved into her own apartment. They make terrific gifts!

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colorful, convenient tote

 

by donna k - 06/2010

I keep this bag folded up inside my Reisenthel market tote to handle the overflow. The checkers love that it stands up and stays open while they're packing it. It's lightweight but very strong and holds a surprising amount. Because of another reviewer's comment about the ink rub-off I wiped it down well with an old cloth diaper before using it the first time. I did get a bit of rub-off from the red ink but haven't had any transfer since then. It wipes clean easily and folds up neatly, and the fun, colorful print elicits comments every time I shop.

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The previous reviewers of this product are insane

 

by cynthia l - 10/2009

4 out of 4 customers found this review helpful

The previous reviewers of this product are insane. While I agree that, conceptually, this bad is great, there is one major flaw that trumps all of its positive features. Specifically, the bag comes with a disclosure statement that basically tells you that the ink used in printing the bag for its original, intended use is not stable in its new purpose. As a result, if you purchase this bag, you may very experience what I have experienced: both discoloration my hands (easy to wash off) and staining of your clothes if you sling the bag over your shoulder - both at the shoulder itself and where the bag rubs along your torso. Buyer beware. It would have been helpful to see the disclosure BEFORE purchase.

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Great size and flat bottomed which is easily loade

 

by DL M - 06/2009

Great size and flat bottomed which is easily loaded. Will be a gift giving item in the future.

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Great bag; love the colors, design, size

 

by Cindy H - 04/2009

Great bag; love the colors, design, size.....perfect for my needs. Customer service is first class. Thank you and I hope for your continued success.

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AVE. RATING 4.8 out of 5 | REVIEWS: 78 | Add Your Review
1 - 15 of 78

Dimensions:
12" H x 18" W x 6" D
10" loop handle

Design & Functionality
The Recycled Market Bags are a bit smaller than the Recycled Wave Totes but still hold plenty. Great-looking & super durable. Its heavy-duty construction provides another benefit: these shopping bags can stand on their own to facilitate easy loading. Constructed with tough as nails material the bags include box stitching at stress point. Holds about double the amount of a plastic grocery bag. Also great as a carry-all for around town or travel tote.

Materials
Recycled rice and feedbags

About Gecko Traders
Fair Trade Certified products guarantee a living wage to people in developing countries. Each bag sold helps provide sustainable living to Cambodian weavers & producers, many of whom are disabled / economically disadvantaged single mothers supporting households. This translates into a better life for many who have been disabled from polio or landmine injury, or pulled from brothels & taught a trade. Produced under the Fair Trade Certified label, these creations bring fair trade into the fashion world while helping people across the world improve their lives.

Care Instructions
Wipe down with a wet sponge. Spot clean / air dry. Colors may transfer to fabric / skin; avoid contact with chlorine & sunscreen

Country of Origin
Handmade in Cambodia. Fully certified Fair Trade Federation member