These days, it’s a pretty common sight to see shoppers bringing their own bags to the grocery store. People of all stripes are adopting the behavior and many stores are designing their own bags to sell to customers.
What we haven’t seen yet is a mainstream alternative to the plastic bags used for fruits and vegetables. The environmentally-committed already refuse these bags and leave the items loose in their basket or cart, but some also bring their own non-plastic produce bags.
Never seen a reusable produce bag? If you do a search online, you will come across mesh bags that can be used for this purpose (see photo). I bought a pack of 10 for $1.95 from my neighbourhood eco-store. These bags can be used again and again. Just remember to pack them in with your grocery bags when you go to the store!
If you’re the creative do-it-yourself type, you might like this suggestion to transform old mesh jerseys (you know, like basketball uniforms) into small little drawstring bags. The mesh fabric allows for proper air circulation and will decrease the accumulation of bacteria.
Reduce your plastic bag usage and reuse mesh to bring home your favorite produce from the store!
Make a difference − share this environmental tip with your friends.
Lindsay D. says:
27 January 2010 at 10 h 05 minI LOVE my credo bag!
http://www.credobags.com
This year for xmas instead of wrapping I put everyone’s tid bits in a small credo bag!
Cheryl G. says:
27 January 2010 at 11 h 09 minCool line of bags, chic even
Susan G. says:
8 February 2010 at 23 h 19 minI also purchased Credobags, I love that they are made of 100%cotton and are washable. I get alot of comments at the farmers markets
LaurieB says:
10 February 2010 at 19 h 41 minProduce Bags: I agree this is a problem, but there are cornstarch bags being made in Britain that are COMPOSTABLE. Problem is the $$$$COST,and availability. Pressure on the stores to bring these bags in????
Meanwhile to get the produce home from the store: Ziplock and other plastic bag makers have a “Vegetable” bag that has tiny breathable holes. They always go with me to the store with my shopping bags. You usually get 1 year’s use out of each bag, and go straight into the fridge without needing to transfer. Very easy to clean, since they are only holding veggies.
Those mesh bags you mentioned sound like they would be great for root veggies and fruit that need some moisture retention, but more breathability. Especially if they are stored in a cool cupboard in the basement or garage. (Modern equivelent to the root cellar)
For HOME storage: dampened terry-cloth drawstring bags are wonderful for leafy greens and other stuff that need high humidity in the fridge drawer. I have kept lettuce and celery and radishes for weeks with little or no degradation in quality. Wash in the machine.
Our Grandparents kept food without plastic, so why can’t we?