FAQs
What exactly is a tshirt tote?
It’s a reusable bag made out of an old tshirt.
Are tshirt totes washable?
Yup! Wash them just like you would a tshirt.
How long do tshirt totes last?
My oldest tote is two years old and still going strong. They’re fairly durable, and easy to repair if they rip.
What tshirts can I use?
The best material is something nonstretchy. But a little stretch is okay
How many plastic bags do tshirt totes replace?
According to the Sierra Club, a sturdy, reusable bag only needs to be used eleven times to have a lower environmental impact than disposable plastic bags. That number is for reusable bags made from scratch…tshirt totes are made from upcycled tshirts, and so probably have an even lower impact.
I donated my tshirt in a tshirttote.org tshirt drive. Where did it go?
Your donated tshirt was turned into a tshirt tote and is probably being used right now. Tshirts donated to the cause are not sold or turned into rags. They are turned into tshirt totes. These totes are not sold. They are given out, usually with a pamphlet about tshirttote.org, to encourage people to use reusable bags and to make totes of their own.
What does upcycle mean?
Upcycling is the practice of taking something that would otherwise be thrown out and turning it into something of equal or greater value.
How many plastic bags do Americans use in a year?
Americans throw away 100 billion plastic bags a year. About 2% are recycled, which is better than the world average of 1%, but it still contributes to a problem.
If plastic bags are so bad, should I be asking for paper bags instead?
The Film and Bag Federation, a trade group within the Society of the Plastics Industry based in Washington, D.C., said the right choice between paper or plastic bags is clearly plastic.1 During their lifecycle paper bags produce 70 times more air pollutants than plastic bags. Paper bags produce 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags.2 Plastic bags are bad, but paper is worse. Reusable bags are the best way to go, but if you do have to use plastic bags, recycle them.
What is the Girl Scout Gold Award?
It’s the highest award in Girl Scouting. Besides a whole host of prerequisites, it requires sixty-five hours minimum of work. It requires demonstration of leadership, and it should have a lasting benefit to the community.
How can I help?
This is such a big question that I devoted an entire page to it here.
