This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for my full disclosure policy.
It’s been on my mind for so long to work on reducing my plastic usage as much as possible, and since I had recently been gifted these mesh produce bags, I figured it was a perfect place to start!
Single use plastic can be so wasteful, and with how many awesome reusable products there are out there, there’s no excuse anymore to keep using it. Makes me so sad every time I see how bad our oceans have been polluted with plastic, and how often animals are hurt by it.
Here you can find all of my other reusable product faves!
I know the harm of plastic can sometimes be sensationalized by the media, but I figure that it certainly isn’t going to hurt the planet to reduce my plastic waste.
Plus there’s the added bonus that switching to reusable can ultimately save you money as well, since you only need to purchase once instead of repurchasing on a regular basis. Of course that depends on if it’s a product you buy regularly, but it’s something to keep in mind.
I’m going to be working on finding as many reusable products that I can change out for single use plastic in my life, and sharing it here on the blog, in case anyone else is up for making the switch.
It’s something SO easy to do, and although you may think, “I’m just one person, I can’t help the planet,” but every little bit can add up!
So many countries and states are doing their part to ban various types of plastic, from grocery bags, to styrofoam, straws, and more! I personally feel that I need to do my part as well, even if it’s a very small part.
First up, mesh produce bags.
I used to be quite guilty of using the plastic produce bags for so many items at the grocery store and farmers market. Whether its produce, meats, or bulk items, I use plenty of these produce bags that ultimately just come home with me and go straight into the trash or recycling bin.
They’re so unnecessary! I had been reducing my usage of them, simply by not putting certain items into bags. However, you definitely need them for other items that you don’t want touching your cart, or just for ease of bringing them back home.
Last year I worked with an awesome company, Flip & Tumble, for a campaign about this very topic! They are a company that sells various reusable bags. I have and love their reusable shopping bags as well.
Ever since receiving their mesh produce bags, I’ve been making a point to only use those bags and stop using the single use plastic ones.
I was bad at remembering to bring them with me at first, but now I just store them in my reusable grocery bags since I always remember to bring those.
They each have a different colored tab, are machine washable, and have a drawstring to keep your items securely in the bag.
I do want to note that if you’re someone who stores your produce in the single-use plastic bags, and you decide to make the switch to reusable, you may want to store your food in an airtight container instead, once you’ve brought it home. These bags are mesh, so they aren’t airtight. Just a tip!
It’s such a small, easy switch to make! A pack of 5 is $12 dollars, which I realize doesn’t save you any money, since the plastic ones at the grocery store are free, but I still think it’s worth it to save all that unnecessary plastic.
I mean if you use let’s say 5 plastic produce bags per grocery trip, and shop 1 time a week, that adds up to 260 plastic bags a year that likely are either going into the recycling bin, or just going straight into the garbage once you get home.
Yes, you can recycle the plastic ones, but avoiding usage all together is better than using them and recycling.
If even just 3 of you read this and join me in making the switch, we’d save over 1000 bags a year! So I really do believe that every little bit helps, and small changes can really add up!
Here is their main website if you want to check it out, but they’re also sold on Amazon – with a 4.7 star rating and over 1,300 reviews!
I’m going to link a few other reusable produce bags below, also available on Amazon, and each with high ratings.
- purifyou Premium Mesh Produce Bags – $14.97
- Set of 9 in 3 different sizes.
- Each has the tare weights on them.
- 4.8 stars with over 2,300 reviews!
- Here is the same brand with a set of 18 for $19.97
- Earthwise Reusable Mesh Produce Bags – $12.97
- Set of 9.
- All same size, no color coding.
- 4.8 stars, over 1,000 reviews
- BahrEco Reusable Produce Bags – $8.97
- Set of 5, different colored tabs.
- 4.8 stars, over 1,600 reviews
If you look here, you’ll see that there are a variety of others to choose from. Most look like they have high reviews and are roughly the same thing, so you may want to decide based on price and how many bags you think you’ll need.
Plenty of choose from and all of them are very affordable, so no excuse not to make the switch! If you’ve found any great reusable products, mesh produce bags or otherwise, I’d love for you to leave them below!
I’m hoping for my blog to be a place to find the best of the best reusable products, so your input is very helpful!
