Most of the waste in our house comes from food packaging. And it can be hard to avoid. But one type of plastic packaging that was easy for me to transition away from was plastic produce bags for fruit and vegetables. The first eco product I ever received was Onya reusable produce bags and they are still one of my favourite waste free solutions.
Even before transitioning to reusable fruit and veg bags, I was limiting the number I used. Most fruit and veg do not require bags at all. I am totally dismayed when I see people putting a head of broccoli or a single zucchini in a bag. It is completely unnecessary. But the worst is bananas! Nature has created the perfect packaging for them already.
My rule was if I had five or less of an item, whether that’s apples, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, then I would just leave them loose in the trolley until I got to the checkout. Then they would get added to my reusable shopping bag along with everything else and be easy to transport home in the car and into the house.
Certain products do require a bag though. Green beans. Grapes. Cherry tomatoes if you’re lucky enough to find them loose instead of in a punnet. Pretty much anything that is small and you are buying many.
That’s why I was thrilled to be given reusable produce bags for Christmas a few years ago. They take up no space and since I have to bring my own shopping bags (plastic ones have been banned in my state) it’s not hard to remember to bring the produce bags too.
We only have a small countertop bin and plastic produce bags were perfect for lining it. I did wonder what we’d use instead but we have so many other soft plastic bags from bread, pasta, parcels, cereal etc. that we’ve always got something to contain our waste in. I’ll have to work on reducing those plastic wastes too but let’s take it one step at a time.
If you have plastic fruit and veg bags at home, make sure to reuse them at least one more time. Here are 9 practical ideas for reusing plastic produce bags but I’m sure you can come up with many more. Once your produce bags need to be thrown away, be sure to to add them to your soft plastics recycling and return to the supermarket.
FAQ about reusable fruit and veg bags
Are reusable produce bags good?
Yes! Reusable produce bags are lightweight, compact, easy to wash and great for the environment as they reduce the number of plastic bags used.
Do mesh bags keep produce fresh?
Yes. Most fruits and vegetables need to airflow to avoid spoiling. While plastic bags can have moisture build up on the inside, mesh produce bags and cloth bags prevent that by allowing the fruit and vegetables to breathe.
Do reusable produce bags help the environment?
Yes! Plastic produce bags, along with other single use plastic waste ends up in our soil, rivers, lakes and oceans causing harm to animals that live there. By choosing reusable produce bags you are reducing the number of plastic bags that are used and thrown away.
What are the disadvantages of reusable bags?
There are very few disadvantages to reusable fruit and veg bags. If they’re not kept clean, reusable produce bags can harbour bacteria. There is also a cost associated however they are available in a range of price points or you can make your own using the instructions in the video below.
How many reusable produce bags do I need?
That depends on how often you do your shopping, how much fruit and vegetables you buy, the type of products you’re buying and whether you want to put everything into bags or not. At least 5 bags are recommended but up to 10 will ensure you don’t run out.
How do you clean reusable bags?
It is important for food hygiene to ensure that reusable produce bags get washed often but it is so easy. Most can simply be thrown into the washing machine with the rest of the laundry however check the instructions that come with your reusable bags.
How long do reusable bags last?
This depends on how often the bags are used, how often they’re washed and what they’re made of. I have been using my recycled PET mesh produce bags for three years and they are still going strong.
15 Best Reusable Produce Bags for Fruit and Veg
1. Onya Produce Bags – 8 pack
As my first produce bags, Onya hold a special place in my heart. They are the most convenient reusable fruit and veg bags I’ve seen. They are extremely lightweight and fit snugly into the supplied pouch that has a clip so that it is not easily lost. I love buying anything made of recycled materials and Onya produce bags are made of recycled PET plastic bottles. The bags are secured with a drawstring, machine washable and can hold up to 2kg per bag.
2. The Keeper Organic Cotton Diamond Light Drawstring Produce Bags
These produce bags are made from 100% organic cotton used to create a diamond weave to be super strong but still lightweight. The three produce bags each have a drawstring to secure them and the contents can easily be identified at checkout through the mesh. The company is compliant with Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which ensures organic status of textiles, environmentally and socially-responsible manufacturing, and labeling for consumers.
3. The Keeper Organic Cotton 7 Bag Fridge Pack
This complete pack includes two of the diamond weave bags mentioned above, as well as another two small bags, two medium bags and a larger carry bag with handles. The bags come in mesh and muslin so you can choose which is best suited to your produce based on their breathability. This complete set is all you need to begin zero waste shopping.
4. ChicoBag reusable produce bag kit – set of 3
The three bags in this set are each intended for particular types of fruits and vegetables. One bag made of natural fibres absorbs moisture and restricts air flow (ideal for green beans), the second bag restricts airflow and locks in moisture (ideal for broccoli) and the third mesh bag allows the ripening gas (ethylene) produced by some fruit such as apples to escape. I love that these bags are so purposeful and can extend the shelf life of fresh fruit and vegetables rather than storing them naked in the fridge.
5. Ever Eco Produce Bags – 8 Pack
These Ever Eco Produce Bags are a terrific large size that can hold up to 16 oranges! They are made from 100% recycled PET plastic drink bottles and come with a handy storage pouch that can be clipped to your handbag or trolley.
6. Fruity Sacks Produce Bags – 3 Pack
Another product made from 100% recycled PET drink bottles, they are extremely lightweight at just 14g per bag despite being an extra large size. The small pack size and hence low price of these bags makes them perfect as a trial if this is your first foray into reusable produce bags.
7. Onya Reusable Bulk Food Bag Large
Although these bags have been designed for bulk foods, they can also be used for fruits and vegetables. They are made from recycled PET plastic bottles and have the tare weight printed on them to ensure you are not overcharged at checkout.
8. Life Basics Mesh Produce Bags
These mesh produce bags allow your fruits and vegetables to breathe and are made from cotton. They come in a two pack and you can choose small, medium large or large size.
9. Earths Tribe String Carry Bag
String bags are great if you’re not concerned about individually bagging each different fruit and vegetable you buy. The Earth Tribes String Carry Bag is a fantastic large size which is perfect for a trip to the local farmers market.
10. The Keeper Jute & Organic Cotton Onion Bag
This bag has been designed specifically for onions. Onions should be kept in a dark place but also need air flow. The mesh panel allows air flow while the thick top and bottom panels keep light out. Made from all natural materials, this jute and cotton bag can hold up to 2kg.
11. The Swag Reusable Produce Bag Set
The Swag reusable produce bags are made of cotton. This set is great because it comes with four bags in two different sizes. The manufacturer of The Swag is certified by SEDEX for Ethical Trading practices and SEDEX also review the supply chain.
12. Ever Eco Reusable Organic Cotton Produce Bags
This mixed set contains two mesh and two muslin reusable produce bags. They are all made from 100% organic cotton, have a drawstring closure and are machine washable.
The best reusable vegetable bags to avoid single use plastic
What has your experience been with reusable produce bags? Let me know in the comments. Or if you’re keen to try them but still have questions post them below and I’ll get back to you asap.
More sustainable swaps and reusables:
- Best Eco Friendly (and ethical) Yoga Mats
- 7 Best Travel Cutlery Sets
- 13 Australian Shampoo Bar Brands
- 5 Foaming Handwash Tablets
- 11 Best Eco-Friendly Ziploc bag Alternatives
Feature image by Markus Spiske
Great post. I also prefer to shop with reusable bags. And by the way, I love the Earths Tribe bags.