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There is such a thing as too many totes.

We all probably have a growing collection of reusable bags at home. With single-use plastic-bag bans and a general push toward sustainability, we've entered the age of the tote.

Most of my closet is filled (and I mean filled) with reusable bags—cheap recycled bags bought at the grocery store when I forgot to bring my own; free canvas totes from events; large IKEA, Marshalls, and TJ MAXX totes that are sometimes filled with even more bags. And when they're not packed into closets and drawers, they're passed around like white elephant gifts no one wants.

Growing up, there was always a cabinet stuffed with plastic bags awaiting their next use. These days, it's a closet full of bulky reusable bags. The conundrum is reusable bags also take resources to make and ultimately become waste too. Interestingly, plastic bags actually a lower environmental impact across most indicators that cotton totes, according to a 2018 Danish study that CNN reported. A cotton bag would need to be reused 52 times to reduce its impact on climate change (and 7,100 times to lower its environmental impact) to the level of an incinerated plastic bag that's been reused once—and even more if it's organic cotton.

So, how can you minimize your bag stash?

I once thought my mom simply didn't like wrapping gifts. But as I got older I realized it was an opportunity to rid herself of reusable bags. Select a bag from your collection that the other person might actually use (and hopefully not just stuff in their closet). Have a tote from a bookstore a book lover would want? Put their gift in it. You can even dress it up with a bow.

Reusable bags are a great way to transport items you're donating. Use this is a motivator to clean out your pantry and closets, while also getting rid of extra bags.

Many charities seek out reusable bags to use when giving out items. Reach out to some of your local nonprofits and charities, and odds are, they probably accept reusable bag donations. Here are a couple of places to start:

Some places also take reusable bags to be recycled or upcycled into new products. ChicoBag sells a variety of reusable products (including...bags!) and also accepts reusable bag donations through its Pay It Forward Program. The company will match the items up with one of its partners to either be donated to those in need or recycled or upcycled into new products. Best of all, you can mail in your donations.

Once you minimize your collection, make sure to actually use your reusable bags to avoid accumulating more. Large totes are great for hauling laundry, sorting recycling, and organizing. Keeping a few near your front door is a great reminder to grab one before you head out to shop. And I've made it a habit to always keep a small bag folded up in my purse or backpack, just in case.

Allison Arnold is the Associate SEO Editor at Delish, where she writes about kitchen gadgets and food and culture. She likes exercising almost as much as eating, and has a thorough Google Maps ranking system for her favorite restaurants and bars. You can find her spewing hot takes on the food world and planning her next trip, all with multiple cans of seltzer open at a time.

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