7 Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Single-Use Plastic Bags

july 02, 2019

Source: Amazon Everyone needs a bag from time-to-time. You might require one to put all your winnings in after a successful visit to a casino, for instance. There again, you might want a few to put your groceries in after a trip to the supermarket. All too often, we opt for a single-use plastic bag which ultimately ends up in a landfill tip or, worse still, in the ocean. Nearly everyone on the planet is now aware that the use of plastics is ruining the environment and that tiny plastic particles are entering the food chain. What are the best suitable alternative materials you can make bags from which help to overcome this problem?

1. Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bags

As the name suggests, these bags are ideal for storing perishable items in – like your lunch! They contain no oil-derived polymers and have a seal so that the contents stay fresh. What's more, they are safe to use in the dishwasher or the microwave.

2. Bee's Wrap

Made from organic cotton, these bags are also designed for keeping food in a perfectly edible state. You can use them to wrap up cheese, half-eaten fruit and even bread stays fresher. Although the material is perfect for use time and again, it does have a shelf life. However, once it has reached the end of its lifespan, you can simply compost it, making it a really ecological alternative to things like cling film.

3. Linen Bread Bags

Made from flax, these bags are used to transport your bread from the baker's shop to home. Not only do they look natural and stylish, but they help to keep your loaf in mint condition, even after you have cut off a few slices. The bag actually helps to prevent your bread from going stale and, as you'd expect, there is not a scrap of fossil fuel-derived plastic in its manufacturing processes. Source: Pexels

4. Canvas Market Bags

These bags are perfect for both consumer and retailers who want a stylish plastic-free way to transport items, once purchased. They come in a range of sizes and are more durable than a typical plastic bag.

5. Grab Bag

Made from Nylon, a type of plastic, these bags are designed to be used for a lifetime which helps to reduce your carbon footprint every time you shop. They tend to be sold as pairs which you place in your shopping trolley at the supermarket side-by-side. Once you have paid, the bags are then full of your shopping so you simply lift them out before returning your trolley. They have a Velcro clasp which helps to prevent your items from falling out on the journey home, too.

6. Lekue 1-Litre Fresh Bags

Safe for use in the dishwasher, this silicone-based bag system provides a lot of storage for food items. There's a handy gauge on the outside of the bag so you can tell how full or empty it is. Once sealed, these bags can be used to store both solids and liquids. There is a hermetic seal, too, which is highly reliable.

7. Reusable Produce Bags

Truth be told, these bags are made from plastic, too. The point about them is that you take them to the supermarket to put your fruit and vegetables in rather than using the single-use bags they offer in that aisle. Made from a breathable material, they help to keep your goods fresher than conventional plastic bags and they can be used and used again so your plastic consumption goes down overall.