The Deal: Upcycled rice bags part of At West End sale

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I winced when my colleague Rene Lynch, a.k.a. The Recyclist, recently suggested she wanted a Ziploc bag drying rack for her birthday. Come on, Rene. Eco-friendly alternatives can be functional and pretty, like these colorful, reusable bags from At West End.

These handcrafted grocery bags are made from discarded rice sacks in the Philippines. They measure 15 inches wide and 25 inches tall (including strap), have an inner pocket and are lined to be water resistant. Each one is unique; when you place your order, one will be picked for you at random.

And don’t tell Rene, but her birthday present is on sale. Normally $20 a piece, the bags are now $12 -- that’s $1 cheaper than her bag drying rack. Shipping is currently $5 on any At West End purchase, regardless of size.

-- Lisa Boone

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