With more countries enforcing the plastic bag bans, it is now a necessity to have your own stock of reusable grocery bags. But with so many different options available, which is the right bag for you?
There are so many alternatives to plastic bags for your home and lifestyle, here are our 5 favourite reusable bags, and why they are useful for your zero waste shop!
Table of Contents
Cotton Tote Bags
Cotton tote bags are a great and easy zero waste shopping swap. These plastic-free alternatives are a classy and sturdy choice.
Why?
- They are heavy-duty reusable grocery bags, perfect for those bulky items.
- Some have inlays inside so you can stack bottles vertically
- Can be washed if needed
Get your Canvas Tote Bags from Amazon | Earthhero
Cotton Mesh Bags
Cotton mesh bags are great reusable shopping bags as they take up barely any space, and they can expand to fit plenty of fruit and vegetables. Whenever we travel overseas we always bring at least two of these for any impromptu shops. Plus, they are also one of the most stylish reusable grocery bags!
Why?
- The mesh folds up smaller than the cotton bags, but they can also expand to a large size
- They can be washed
- Look great
- A great alternative for plastic grocery bags
Get your Cotton Mesh Bags from Amazon | Earthhero
Mesh Produce Bags
These small style mesh produce bags are perfect for grocery shopping as you can easily separate your fruits and vegetables. They can replace the small produce plastic bags that you use for your fruit, vegetables, spinach leaves and more.
Why?
- You can use these for all kinds of food – bread rolls, fruits, spinach leaves, potatoes and more
- they are washable
- are lightweight
Get your Mesh Produce Bags from Amazon | Earthhero
Muslin Bags
Muslin bags are made from 100% cotton with a fine weave, so you can carry grains and bulk items.
Why?
- You can use these for all kinds of food – fruit, vegetables, bread, nuts, grains, and more
- they are washable and lightweight
Get your Muslin Bags from Amazon
Nut Milk Bag
Nut milk bags are primarily for your zero waste kitchen as you can make nut/oat milk at home using them. But they can also be a handy little bag to bring shopping.
Why?
- Great for making plant-based milk
- Small and compact
Get your Nut Milk bag from Amazon | Earthhero
Are Reusable Bags Sanitary?
It depends on how you look after them. Reusable bags do need to be washed, and how often depends on what you use them for. If you carry meat, dairy, and pre-cooked foods in them, cross-contamination can occur if they leak, or there is bacteria on the packaging material. In these instances, they should be washed immediately after the use.
Are Reusable Bags Washable?
Reusable bags can be washed. If your bag has a label with washing instructions, follow these directions. If not, check the material that it is made out of, and see if they are machine washable and what the best practices are for the material. We wash all our reusable bags on a gentle spin in our washing machine.
Where To Get Reusable Bags
You can purchase reusable bags on:
- Amazon
- Earthhero (US)
- Biome (AU)
- Package Free Shop (US)
- Baggu
- In stores
- & many more
Looking For Some More Alternatives To Plastic?
Check out our top posts on reducing waste at home and out:
- Best alternatives to plastic bags
- Plastic bag alternatives for garbage bins
- How to recycle plastic bags
- Say No To Plastic, why and how explained
- How to Reduce Waste at home and abroad
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Vivien de Greef is a co-founder of The Dharma Trails and a passionate advocate for sustainable living and slow travel. Her unique background in Occupational Therapy enriches her approach, blending well-being with environmental consciousness to inspire eco-friendly travel worldwide.
Lifestyle:
Originally from Brisbane, Australia, Vivien embodies the essence of a sustainable lifestyle, integrating her professional insights from mental health and occupational therapy into everyday living. Her approach to life is all about balance and sustainability, whether it’s through her travel choices or daily habits.
Writing Focus:
On The Dharma Trails, Vivien specialises in creating content that encourages an eco-friendly approach to travel. She explores themes such as:
- Sustainable travel destinations
- Eco-friendly living tips
- Slow travel experiences
- Conservation efforts globally
Interesting Points:
- Hometown: Brisbane, Australia
- Expertise in regions: Caribbean, California, and Australia
- Travel style: Slow and Sustainable
- Professional background: Occupational Therapy
- Passionate about bars and local cuisine
- Has been traveling since 2015
Connect:
Expertise:
Vivien’s background in Occupational Therapy and her work in mental health provide a deep understanding of human well-being. Her experiences, including a significant period in Madagascar providing occupational therapy, inform her comprehensive approach to sustainable travel, emphasising health and environmental preservation.
Travel Insights:
- Favorite Travel Experience: Witnessing the breathtaking sunrise over Baobab Alley in Madagascar.
- Where I’ve Lived: Australia, Madagascar, California and the Caribbean.
- Travel Tip: Open up google maps in satellite view to find hidden secret beaches.
Need More?
For further insights into Vivien’s travels, sustainable tips, and more personal tips, follow her journey on The Dharma Trails where every path tread is a step towards sustainability.
