FAQ

Where are Colony Co. bags made?

All of our bags are made in India under safe and ethical working conditions throughout all steps of production, from farm to factory, all of which is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (G.O.T.S.).

How do I care for my new waxed canvas bag?

A periodic cleaning with a damp cloth or spraying it off with cold water is usually all that is needed. Sometimes you might need to use soap, but try to use it sparingly because regular use of soap will eventually remove the wax from the material. You may also use a soft scrub brush if you have a stubborn stain. Never use hot water. And never ever machine wash and dry it.

Will using the Reusable Produce Bags and Reusable Bulk Bin Bags cause me to pay more at the register due to the weight of the bag?

No. We have printed the tare weight on the back of the brightly colored exterior labels. This is for the cashier to use when they weigh the purchase. This deducts the weight of the bag. Weights are given in both English and metric units, so the bags can be used anywhere in the world.

The cashiers sometimes seem confused by the tare weights on the labels, and don’t know what to do.

We find most markets that focus on local and/or organic foods have no problem at all with this. However, some of the bigger supermarkets still have training issues. We believe this is just the beginning of the movement away from plastic bags, and in a few years this will no longer be an issue, no matter where you shop.

Is your packaging easily recyclable?

Yes, all Colony Co. products now come packaged in corrugated cardboard boxes. These boxes fold together to close, so no glue is needed on them. Also, no plastic is used inside these boxes. When shipping items to you, we use paper tape and biodegradable shipping labels.

Can I put my bags in the washer/dryer?

For waxed canvas Lunch or Grocery bags – No, not at all. These bags are durable, but waxed canvas should always be hand cleaned. Think of it like you would care for leather bags.

For the organic cotton Reusable Produce Bags and Bulk Food Bags – Kind of. Machine washing is fine, but cold water is required to prevent shrinkage. Same for the dryer, use low/delicate heat to prevent shrinkage. High heat will cause them to shrink. We recommend just hanging them on something to dry, since they dry very quickly.

The cashier has to open the bag to get the code off the little stickers on the produce. Any suggestions for this?

Yes, one trick we've learned (that a lot of our customers say works for them, too) is if the produce has those little stickers on them, peel one off and put it on the front of the brightly colored exterior label. That way the cashier doesn't have to open the bag. They can see the produce sticker and the bag's tare weight all in one place.