Bags of Change

Last year, funky bag designers, Bags of Change came up with a great motivational concept to get people to shop locally. By carrying one of their durable cotton shopping bags you are guaranteed a discount in certain independent shops. In London this scheme is supported by twenty four outlets offering up to 10% off your shopping, and numbers of participating stores are growing in the rest of the country. Last week they announced the launch of their coolest design yet - a leather look bag made from treetap rubber, available for £38. If you spend £25 every week at the health food store, it would take 16 weeks to pay for itself and start saving you over £10 a month!

We also love the concept of social guerilla bagging - each bag made, from an old bedsheet or curtain, avoids the production of 80 plastic bags. Get some friends round and get creative.