First off, I just wanted to note that produce bags and plastic waste is a topic I am particularly passionate about. So, excuse me if I get a little fired up here in a second about zero waste grocery shopping. Up until a few years ago, I used to be among the masses who continually used single-use plastic bags for transporting groceries and other goods.
Coming from a Mexican household, my mother used to save our plastic bags to reuse for our lunches, going to sleepovers, and a slew of other things. Naturally, when I began living on my own I started collecting these bags too. I, however, could not reuse these bags nearly as fast as my family had, and they began to pile up in my pantry. One day looking at this mountain of plastic, I decided to make a new Year resolution to not use plastic bags anymore.
1. Reusable Bags
I began moving towards zero waste grocery shopping by purchasing a few reusable grocery bags. Reusable grocery bags are so much more durable than regular plastic bags and they are obviously better for the environment. You get so much more use out of reusable bags. Plus, you don’t have to worry about them giving out on you on your way in the door with a handful of groceries…Unlike plastic bags which tear before you even leave the grocery store sometimes. Below I have linked some very popular and highly recommended reusable grocery shopping bags!
Of course, sometimes I forget to bring my reusable bags with me to the stores. During these times, while it is way tough, I always tell the cashier “no bag please,” and I proceed to carry my items out of the store. When this happened in the beginning stages of my zero waste grocery shopping journey, I began to notice how unnecessary single-use bags are sometimes. They are often mindlessly given out at check out for one or two items. People, you have two hands, you do not need a bag to carry three items out of a store.
Why You Should Give Up Plastic Bags
I will admit it is sometimes easier for transportation and checkout to use plastic bags for produce. But when you use something once, that literally has a life of an hour or less of being used practically and is then thrown away to be decomposed over the next 20 to 1000 YEARS, its use cannot be justified as a daily item!
It is absolutely ridiculous and shameful that we deplete the earth of its resources and then create an item that is meant for single use. I will always take the harder option on myself if it means I can show a little more respect to our planet and its resources (I’m looking at you Alexis, the girl who gave me a hard time at the grocery store for NOT using plastic produce bags!!!!).
Mindless Use of Single Use Plastics
Now here’s when things get real. As I started on my journey to not use plastic bags, I had not even considered the produce bags used in stores! I went to grab a produce bag for my oranges as I had always done, and it hit me like a truck. I was taught and conditioned to mindlessly use plastic bags, just like everyone else. While I was growing up, I used these plastic bags just as my parents always had done.
I began to pile up my produce in my grocery cart, and again I had another realization. So much produce is already pre-packaged and protected by nature. Now some things do not, and for those certain fruits or veggies, I would say to just give them a wash before consumption (which is something you should be doing regardless of using plastic bags or not, because of umm germs…).
2. Reuseable Produce and Bulk Bin Bags
Now if you are ready to start your zero-waste grocery shopping journey I have some reusable produce bags I personally recommend. I use these washable eco-friendly bags for fruits and veggies, and these muslin reusable bags for grains and other bulk bin items. Investing a few bucks into reusable bags that are more durable, can be washed and cleaned, and are more helpful to the environment is a no-brainer for me.
I understand that everyone might not have the funds readily available to invest in something like reusable bags. For persons in these circumstances, I would strongly consider using fewer bags, putting more items in one bag, or rethinking if a bag is even necessary for your items and purchase.
One person can’t make much of a difference alone, but one person can inspire others. Through a collective awareness, we can make a difference and change our mindless habits of using single-use plastics.
3. Containers and Jars
Part of Zero waste grocery shopping is zero waste food storage. There are tons of different size jars and containers that would look lovely sitting atop your counters or on a pantry shelf. If you are someone who absolutely requires cohesiveness in your kitchen, I would recommend a container set like this.
On the other hand, if you aren’t someone who needs everything to look professional and well thought out, you can also re-use old jars! Spaghetti sauce jars, pickle jars, jam jars, salsa jars, you name it. If it’s glass and it has a lid it is fair game to be washed and re-used. Plus it is more eco-friendly to use what you’ve already got.
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