These organic cotton reusable produce bags are ideal to replace plastic and paper bags, when stocking up on fruits and veggies at the grocery store. The mesh means the checkout operator can easily see inside (they also let produce breathe) and they weigh hardly anything on the scales, so won’t affect prices. Made from certified organic cotton, wash on a cool setting and air-dry.
can you leave plastic bags at checkout?
Most supermarkets now have bag bins so you can bring the packaging back and leave it there, if your council doesn’t offer kerbside recycling. It also sends a strong message. One sandwich chain recently removed plastic cutlery from its branches – but when customers complained, they brought it back again.
Aldi recently created a trial package-free store with refill stations for pasta and rice. But again they ended it quickly, and Tesco did something similar, going back on their trial after a year. Some say they didn’t work due to complicated apps (many people don’t take smartphones to get refunds on shopping). But even cheekier, the stores blamed customers that ‘work is needed to encourage a cultural and behavioural shift from customers!’ How about letting indies thrive, so people can walk to local zero waste shops, and not have to consume big supermarket produce in the first place? Most big supermarkets also bag organic produce (so it does not get contaminated by non-organic produce). The simplest option on whether to buy organic (bagged) bananas or Fair Trade (unwrapped) is to buy from your local farm shop. They will be both organic and Fair Trade, not plastic-wrapped and sea-freighted too.
an organic cotton bread bag
This organic cotton bread bag is ideal to store your favourite baker’s loaf in, until you eat it up. Plastic wrap for bread just makes it sweat, and actually causes it to go bad quicker. Good for the planet and good for your bread, store to keep crusts longer, to make your hair curl! Wash on a cool/eco setting and air-dry.
If making your own bread, keep fresh dough away from pets. Never leave out crusty/mouldy/stale bread (or crackers/croutons) for birds, as it can choke (buttered bread can also harm, as it smears on feathers, affecting waterproofing/insulation).
