"A good quality "shopping tote" should last you much longer than a year, especially if you repair it in the off chance that it should break. You can also use other multi use bags than just the newly popular totes. Backpacks make good bags for small trips. By using reusable bags for shopping, you also have the option of buying used, making your own out of scrap fabric, or using organic cotton...all of which are better than constant consumption of either paper or plastic single use bags.