5 Easy Ways to Switch to Reusable Produce Bags

The average American throws away over 300 plastic bags each year. And what’s worse, those bags are only used for an average of 12 minutes but take up to 500 years to degrade in a landfill. Concerning? We think so, too. But there’s one simple thing you can do to combat this: Make the switch from plastic to reusable produce bags.

Sound intimidating? It’s not! Here are 5 easy steps to transition to cotton produce bags.

Step 1: Choose your reusable produce bags

Pick a drawstring mesh bag to let your veggies breathe, or a muslin bag for finer items, like flours or grains. Our bags are ethically made, 100% organic cotton, and 100% plastic free. They also come in small, medium, and large sizes, so you can easily fit whatever’s on your shopping list.

Step 2: Wash and dry your reusable bags

Toss your cotton bags in the washing machine and wash on a gentle cycle, or hand washes, then hang to dry. Make sure the bags are completely dry, then store them in a clean location with good airflow to keep any mildew from forming.

Step 3: Keep the bags with you

Keep clean produce bags in your car, in your purse, or wherever they’ll be handy for your next trip to the farmer’s market or grocery store. You’ll want them nearby for your next shopping trip.

Step 4: Fill the bags up

Put your bags to use! Whether you’re at the farmer’s market or your local grocery store, you can fill your reusable mesh produce bags with fresh fruits, vegetables, and greens. Grains, lentils, and flours are easily scooped into muslin bags for sustainable storage. You’ll feel great foregoing plastic produce bags for more durable, sustainable cotton bags. Load them up! Our muslin bags are made to hold up to 20 lbs.

Step 5: Use the tare weights for easy checkout

Our mesh and muslin produce bags have tare weight tags sewn on them so weighing produce is easy. Be ready to point them out to your store’s cashier. Then, load your filled reusable produce bags into a canvas tote, and you’ll be on your way in no time.

Once you get home, you can even wash your produce in the bags themselves. Some produce, like greens, might actually benefit from being stored in a damp bag in your fridge. When the produce is gone, clean your bags and use them again.

Are you ready to make the switch to cotton? Start with a set of 4 cotton muslin produce bags.