If you see an old video that says to remove plastic liners, please send the link to Rose at rose@threesalamanders.com so she can make sure it's taken down.
This is the latest video on how to make the seed/feed and brewery bags.
Got extra sewing materials? The Bag-Share can use a wide range of donated items. SEE OUR DONATION WISH-LIST
BagShare Venues in Massachusetts
The following places host The Bagshare Project in Massachusetts. If you forget to bring your bag you can borrow one. If you forget to return your bagshare bag, you can return it to any of these locations.
• Cushman's Market, Amherst, MA • Meekins Library, Williamsburg, MA • Pittsfield Farmers Market, Pittsfield, MA • The Hampden Public Library, Hampden, MA • Williamsburg Market, Williamsburg, MA • Wendell Free Library, Wendell, MA • Westhampton Public Library, Westhampton, MA • Forbes Library, Northampton
• Baker's Store, Conway, MA
• Westfield Food Pantry, Westfield, MA
• Village Closet, Huntington • Southampton Library • River Valley Market, Easthampton *Mixed Nuts Food coop (pending) *Hampshire College Farm center (pending)
PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE BAGSHARE'S IMPACT: The Creamery used 49,000 paper bags annually. Since Earth Day of 2008 they became disposable bag free! The offer the customer reused cardboard boxes or bag share bags when they forget their own. They have saved $5000 per year and 70, 15 year old trees per year.
It takes a 15 year old tree to produce 700 grocery bags.
= Denotes a venue that's completely Disposable Bag Free!Save
What is the BagShare?
The goal of the BagShare is to transition stores to going disposable bag free.
How the BagShare Works Volunteers sew and donate cloth bags to stores, libraries, farmer's markets, and other venues that want to reduce their bag waste.
And ID tag is sewn on the front of each bag, designating it as a 'Use and Return' bag. The bags are borrowed when someone forgets their own bag and and returned to any BagShare location.
Sewers sign & date each tag with their name or alias!
To purchase tags, contact Leni at 413-634-5591.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Here are a few samples of matrials we help keep out of the landfill: Scrap fabric: donated from individuals and businesses
upholstery samples from furniture stores
Malt bags: from local breweries
Misprinted tote bags from silkscreen companies
Pre-made totes: donated by individuals and businesses. Banks and other venues donate extras from fundraisers and promotional events.Turn them insideout, sew the BagShare tag on the outside and VOILA!
Handles: can be made from re used seat belts! Contact our local Auto salvage yards and ask them to cut out the seat belts before the cars are crushed.
(send us your ideas to re-use so we can expand the list!)
Who sews for The BagShare?
Everyone! The girl scouts, the boy scouts, seniors, teenagers, mothers, fathers, newspaper reporters, store owners, inmates from the local correctional facility.
How you can help
Come to a Bag Sew, bring a friend. Host a Bag Sew with friends, family or a community group
Sew bags at home, cast-off drapes make great bags!
Become a BagShare location.
Make a donation. We can always use more; sewing machines, sergers, fabric, thread, webbing for straps, and sewing notions, pre-made bags are also welcome.
Start a BagShare project in your corner of the world!
The Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction has been holding bag sews!
The Bag Share Project has been meeting at the Hampshire County Jail since the winter/spring of 2008. Volunteers come to the jail to run sewing circles and teach new sewing students how to sew. Participants in the project also study the ecological effects of disposable products and consumerist habits. On June 13th, 2008, the jail had an art exhibit in its VR Gallery, for which Bag Share Project participants sewed a collection of art bags that are still part of the Bag Share Project’s permanent collection. Through the project over 200 people have learned how to sew on sewing machines. So far the men and women participating in the project at the jail have sewn over 500 bags.
These bagsews are not open to the public but if you would like to volunteer contact Leni