How many reusable bags is too many?

We've got 3 or 4 fabric bags (2 are kept in the car) and then a few plastic 'bags for life' which clearly won't last that long! But that's enough, I wouldn't want 2 drawers full of them! So I'm with your DH on this OP!

I get the different uses but personally I would give a large chunk to the food bank and just keep what will realistically be used

I probably have around 15 fabric bags. Handy for storing stuff (say gloves/scarves)

Then plastic bags maybe 20. Stored/prized -used mainly for a charity shop drop off,as you need to tag the bag first gift aid.

Then gift/bottle bags I may have 20 or so stored as they pack flat and I haven't decluttered them. Just put them away when received.

Plus 4-5 of those silly Amazon gift bags!

So maybe 50 bags but they don't take much space. We re off to Iceland later so will have to try and find plastic bags to put inside the fabric ones.

you can get a bag holder, but then you wont know what is coming out until you pull it

Team DH.

Need a handful scattered in handbags and coat pockets, so always have one on hand for, err, impromptu shopping.
And a bag with just more than sufficient bags in for a weekly shop.

Cotton and jute bags get passed on a quickly as possible. They are useless. Pathetic sized, and crazy handle lengths on the cotton ones.

A number approaching 100 feels like it is probably too many to me. We have about 8 in the kitchen- then I have a tiny foldaway one in my handbag.

Made me think of this article from a couple of weeks ago.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/30/reusable-tote-bags

I'm with OP.
But then my bag collection is organised into size categories (small, medium, large), with each category stored in a reusable bag!
Some, especially the small ones, are from shops long gone, so it's like a little memory when one gets used!

I love collecting bags, so much that I never bother to take one to thd shops and just get another. I've got bags from 20 years ago. My dh despairs. We do donate loads though every time we take anything to charity or give gifts, so the number in our kitchen is probably around 20 currently. Team dh as I think 2 drawers is too many. But I do love the inclusion of his pov in your thread!

I'm with you OP! No such thing as too many reusable bags.
I choose different ones according to what I'm buying, what shop I'm going to, what transport I'm using (walking or driving), whether I have a handbag that day or if I have to carry the bags by hand, plus what I feel like that day, and my outfit!
I don't just hoard them all needlessly either, the ones I don't like will get donated to charity when clearing out wardrobes etc.
My kids use them a lot too, and they also pick through them to find their favourites.

We only have a couple - but do generally do online grocery shopping. I always carry one of those fold up totes that go into a little pouch in my bag for anything I buy in an actual shop. DP takes a Sainsbury’s bag for life if he goes to the shops.

The amount of fancy gift bags in this house, however, is a different matter. I have a gay male friend who will always bring a gift (chocolates, a plant which I kill pretty much straight off) in a gift bag, and a bottle in another gift bag when he comes round. I’ve told him not to bring anything or just shove a bottle of wine in a tote, but he loves a gift bag.

Way too many 😬

It’s the opposite here, if you start gifting to charity shops they disappear pretty quickly. Bags for life are fast becoming a thing of the past. I’m clearing my late parents house, I’ve run out and they didn’t have much stuff

I guess you DH has never heard the saying "a girl can never have too many bags" lol🤣🤣

I know a Postie in the pub who gets a new bag every day he goes to Iceland.
Oh dear.
I said, here's one you can use to recycle .Of course he took it
How many must you have in your house?
He says, I always forget.
Hmm
I'll try again eh? Yes I must

Picture. Now.

MN will judge

Two drawers ... well, it depends on the size of the drawers obviously but that seems quite modest. It's the number which is surprising, is this an estimate or have you counted them?

Some on this thread may enjoy the song on tonight's episode of R4 'Loose Ends' btw

I Don’t use bags for life.

I buy the paper bags if in the shops, then use them as paper/cardboard recycling bins. Once full, put in the cardboard wheelie bin.

I mainly use click and collect and keep a basket in the back of my car. Much easier than bags.

Why not? they are supposed to be phased out and there will be a shortage in a few years - or keep them in a cool dark cupboard and they'll be worth a fortune on Antiques Roadshow in 50 years - retire on the proceeds!

Are you me? Similar disagreement in this house just a few days ago DH just does not understand the hierarchy and then seems surprised when I get upset that he used my lovely brand new canvas tote (souvenir) for loose potatoes and veg

One of my obsessions, and it is an obsession as I have ASD, is having the perfect bag for every situation. I have managed to downsize since Amazon introduced same day and overnight shipping for my neighborhood. We now store fewer bags, but at least once a year, I order something last minute.