Reusable produce bags are moving into the main stream and with good reason. The average America uses over 100 plastic bags each year. Sadly recycling plastic bags is not cost effective which means that most of these bags end up in landfills and polluting our environment. The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives to disposable produce bags and here is what you need to know before you make the switch.
Most reusable produce bags are made from organic or all natural cotton. They are easy to clean and care for and will serve you well for years to come. Some of the most popular choices are mesh bags, gauze bags and cloth cotton bags. Most bags come in multiple sizes and it’s important to stock up as a typical family of four will need 5 to 7 produce bags for any given grocery store visit. There are several types of bags on the market today but the most popular are mesh, gauze and cotton cloth.
Mesh Produce bags allow air to circulate and also make viewing the contents easy for check out. They are also sturdy and great for heavier items like apples, oranges and pears. This versatile bag is perfect for produce that does not need to be refrigerated.
Gauze bags are generally the lightest. These airy bags are easy to clean and hang dry making them great for refrigerated produce and items that might soil your bags like broccoli and carrots. Since they are lighter, they might not stand up as well to heavy produce like potatoes and melons so reserve these for your lighter, refrigerated items.
Cloth bags, which feature a tighter weave, are better for heavy items like potatoes or loose items like grains and rice. They wash and wear very well and will last for years.
