Go into any grocery store and you'll see them everywhere: plastic produce bags by the dozen.
They're a quick (and free!) way to safely bag your produce and meat right? They are quick, but they also come with a serious cost. Here are some fast facts:
- It requires 2.2 billion pounds of fossil fuel and 3.9 billion gallons of water to produce the 100 billion plastic bags the US consumes each year.
- Manufacturing plastic bags produces a billion points of solid waste and 2.7 million tons of carbon dioxide each year.
- Only 5-7% of plastic bags are recycled.
- As plastic bags break down they release harmful chemicals into the environment.
You can help break the cycle though!
Reusable produce and shopping bags can seriously cut down on plastic production and waste and require minimal upfront cost. They come with some pretty sweet benefits as well:
- They're eco-friendly (duh)
- They are durable and last long (if you buy the right brands)
- They're cost effective
- They have multiple uses, one day it's a grocery bag and the next day it's a beach tote!
There are plenty of alternatives to plastic produce and shopping bags, browse our favorites below to find the right choice for your next shopping trip.
The best eco-friendly plastic produce bag alternatives
1. Public Goods Wide Mesh Tote
Price: $9.95
This 100% organic cotton wide mesh tote bag is a convenient way to reduce waste, no matter where you go. Lightweight and flexible, it's easy to carry and expands to fit everything from a bushel of carrots to several bottles of wine. Keep a few on hand for grocery shopping, laundry or whenever you need to carry a lot. Biodegradable, vegan-friendly and all natural, this mesh tote bag is easy to care for and machine washable.
2. Green Life Trading Co Reusable Produce Bags
Price: $22.00
With this lightweight, packable bag you no longer have to use those pesky plastic produce bags. This large, reusable mesh bag is perfect for carrying produce from the farmers market or grocery store.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic mesh cotton bag. Large bag measuring 12 x 15 inches and the small bag measures 10 x 12 inches. Produced in an SA8000 certified environment by a B Corporation to ensure rigorous worker welfare and environmental protection standards are met. It is food grade, washable and reusable. Machine or hand wash cold and hang to dry.
