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Use reusable produce bags regularly

All Practically Green: 185 or so people have DONE this action so far.

All Practically Green: 41 or so people have ADDED this to their action plan so far.

Why is "Use reusable produce bags regularly" green?

We all use reusable bags daily—purses, computer bags, backpacks. You might even use reusable shopping bags (well, most of the time anyway). But when it comes to bagging a head of lettuce or some bulk lentils, are you still yanking a plastic bag off the big roll? Time to switch to a reusable produce bag (well, most of the time anyway).

Most plastic produce bags are polyethylene, which is produced largely from natural gas. According to the Worldwatch Institute, Americans throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags a year—an unfathomable number. Technically plastic bags are reusable and recyclable, but only a small percentage of them are recycled—Environment California estimates five percent, while the EPA says its closer to twelve percent.

Either way, a plastic bag in a landfill takes about 1,000 years to break down, according to multiple sources. And a study by the Ocean Conservancy found small plastic bags made up about nine percent of the debris along various U.S. coasts.

How to: Use reusable produce bags regularly

The trick to reusable produce bags is buying a whole bunch of them and then remembering to bring them with you. Set yourself up for success by stashing them inside your reusable shopping bags, car trunks, purses, and jacket pockets.

There are scores of reusable machine washable produce bags on the market. They come in cotton, organic cotton, and even mesh varieties. You’ll want to stock up for all of your purchases but don’t overdo it; any bag takes energy and resources to make.

Recommended Products and Services

BlueAvocado Mesh Pod
(1 Rating)

Reusable breathable bag with handles, perfect for produce, workout, travel, and laundry. Use offer code "balovespg10" at checkout.

You should also see the (re)zip bulk and (re)zip snack reusable storage bags. Check out BlueAvocado on Facebook.

Flip & Tumble Produce Bags

(0 Ratings)

You've given up disposable bags at the checkout line, now give them up in the produce aisle. On your next trip to the market, toss a set of these lightweight produce bags in with your reusable shopping tote and say no to plastic!

Blue Lotus Reusable Produce Bags

(1 Rating)

These 100 percent certified organic cotton bags are convenient for both produce and bulk food purchases. Machine washable.

SimpleEcology Organic Cotton Muslin Produce Bags

(1 Rating)

Simple Ecology's reusable produce bags are made from 100 percent GOTS certified organic cotton and can be used for both shopping and storage. The sewn in weight tag makes checkout credit easier.

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