The Top 5 Reusable Produce Bags to Cut Your Single Use Waste

If you've recently committed to reducing your single-use plastic consumption, congratulations! Your efforts will have an important and lasting impact on the environment. If you've yet to ditch the plastic produce bags, now's the time: not only is it easy to do so, but there are plenty of quality options out there for reusable produce bags that keep your produce fresh, reduce your single use plastic consumption, and don't come with a hefty price tag. We've read the reviews and done the legwork for you...the following 5 bags are the top 5 reusable produce bags for your plastic-free home.

Ecowaare Reusable Produce Bags

Convenient and Durable

With multiple sizes to choose from, Ecowaare has you covered.

Best Overall

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These Ecowaare Reusable Produce Bags are top on this list for a few reasons. First, you get a substantial amount per order (15 set), making sticking to the whole zero-plastic rule a lot easier. You’ll also find a toggle-drawstring closure (no more spilling of ingredients), a lightweight, breathable mesh design, and a bag that can be rinsed, quickly dries, and stores well in the fridge to keep produce fresh for longer. If you’re looking for a reusable produce bag that does all of the things you’re hoping a reusable produce bag can do, this is the one you’re going to want to get.

Pros:

Per bag, it’s possible to eliminate 1000 plastic bags over the course of its lifetime.

Cons:

Made of mesh polyester. While using this bag does help keep single use plastics out of landfills and oceans, it is a product that is still made from polyester. This, along with the plastic toggle, is the only downfall of these bags.

Qinline Reusable Produce Bag Set

A Handy Set

Form produce bags to bulk bags, this reusable bag set has every size you'll need.

Best Set

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If you’re looking for The Starter Kit for reusable produce bags, look no further. This 7 pack set is made of both mesh and muslin, which is a great option for both produce and bulk items. What’s more, there are multiple size bags per set, as well as a carry-home bag to put all of your goodies in, as well.

To make your shopping trip completely zero-waste, each bag comes with a small, bright tare weight label on the outside of the bag. While it’s totally fine to store your food in these bags when you get home, they’re also easy to wash and toss in your shopping tote for next time.

Pros:

Multi-purpose bags (great for travel, snacks, toys…even cosmetics).
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed product.

Cons:

The shoulder bag isn’t the best for carrying heavy items. It’s stretchy and the holes are a bit big.

All Cotton and Linen Reusable Produce Bags

No Meshin' Around

These mesh bags are breathable and durable.

Best Mesh Bags

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The thing with mesh bags are that they keep your food well ventilated. This is a great option if you want to store your produce in bags, but don’t want to risk the moisture build-up that occurs when you store food in the typical plastic containers or bags. These bags also store very compactly, making it possible to take quite a handful with you into the store without having the hassle of an overload of bags with you.

What’s more, these bags are made from GOTS certified organic cotton, which means there are absolutely no unwanted chemicals touching your produce. They’re lightweight, durable, and highly breathable as well.

Pros:

Stretchy yet durable fabric that holds up extremely well.
Breathable fabric that makes seeing the produce very easy.

Cons:

It’s a little hard to see the tare weight tag when checking out at the cash register.

Small Fish Cotton Produce Bags

Non-bulky Bags for Your Bulk Items

For your bulk foods, these bags are zero waste and durable.

Best Bulk Bags

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If you’re lucky enough to have a bulk department in your grocery store, you’ll find that these canvas sack-style produce bags are a must-have. Buying in bulk is a great way to not only cut costs but also cut single-use plastics out…that is, unless you forget your containers and end up using plastic bags, instead. Keep these with your grocery bags, and you’ll always have a container for bulk items. Made of heavy duty, unbleached 100% cotton/muslin cloth, these are a nontoxic, plastic-free resource for gathering all of your bulk items (and yes, they’ll work with produce, too).

Pros:

Unbleached and free of chemicals.
Drawstring bag is completely free of plastic.
Durable.

Cons:

Not ideal for storing bread.

Stasher Silicone Reusable Food Bag

Stash and Store

Not exactly a produce bag for the store, these Stasher bags will keep your leftovers fresh.

Best Reusable Silicone Bags

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Although these Stasher bags are not exactly produce bags you take with you to the store (although, we suppose you could…), we’re including these on the list because of their almost cult-like following. What’s the deal? For a few reasons, these are a handy reusable bag to keep around. Made from 100% silicone, you’ll find that these bags come in handy for pretty much all of your food storage needs. Anything that you use a ziplock baggy for, you can use these Stasher bags in place. Food prep? Check. Freezing food? Check. Storing fruit? Veggies? Leftovers? Check, check, and check. There’s nothing these little bags can’t handle.

Pros:

Endlessly reusable and handy.
Easy to clean (dishwasher safe).
Free of toxic plastic chemicals.

Cons:

A bit on the pricey side, but they hold up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you store your food in reusable produce bags?

Yes, storing food in your reusable produce bags in actually encouraged. Depending on the type of bag you go for, you can even rinse your produce right in the bag, let dry, and then keep them in the fridge. Plastic bags or containers are notorious for trapping moisture and rotting food much quicker than necessary. Because many reusable produce bags tend to be airy by nature, you’ll find that your food might even keep longer this way.

How do you keep the bags clean?

While it totally depends on the bag, most are incredibly easy to clean. You’ll want to follow specific instructions for whichever bag you go with, but most are fine to just hand wash or even toss in the washing machine. You’ll probably want to avoid drying, as they’ll likely shrink.