Are you looking for a way to be more eco-friendly in the kitchen? If so, eco-friendly reusable food bags may be the solution for you! Reusable ziplock bags are a great alternative to disposable plastic bags; you can use them for various purposes. Here are just a few of the ways you can use reusable ziplock bags in the kitchen:
- Store food in the fridge or freezer.
- Transport food to and from work or school.
- Store snacks or leftovers.
- Keep produce fresh longer.
- Dry herbs and spices
- Make your baby food, etc.!
Table of Contents
Ideas for Use
Traditional food storage methods, such as Tupperware and aluminium foil, can harm the environment. For example, Tupperware is often made from plastic, which can release toxins into the food, making aluminium foil challenging to recycle.
Ziplock bags offer a reusable and eco-friendly alternative. They are made of polyethylene, a plastic safe for food contact, and can be reused multiple times. Since they are safe, you can use them for.
- Steaming veggies in the microwave or boiled water: Place them in the reusable bag and either microwave or boil them until cooked.
- Cooking Sous Vide style: Sous Vide is a cooking method that involves sealing food in a plastic bag and then cooking it in water at an exact temperature. Reusable ziplock bags are perfect for this cooking method as they don’t react to heat.
- Storing leftovers more conveniently: reusable ziplock bags are great for storing leftovers as they seal in freshness and prevent freezer burn. Plus, they take up less space than traditional Tupperware containers.
- Storing the recipe ingredients before preparing a meal is a great way to meal prep and save time on busy weeknights. Store all the ingredients for your meal in a reusable bag and cook it when you’re ready.
- Storing homemade pet foods in the freezer: if you make your pet food.
Before You Use:
Once you have opened your package of reusable, eco-friendly ziplock bags, we recommend washing them with warm, soapy water to eliminate germs. Next, to avoid staining from colored foods, you can apply a light coating of coating oil inside the bag.
After each use, rinse your bags thoroughly with warm water and soft soap. Reusable ziplock bags are a great way to reduce your reliance on plastic, but taking care of them is essential so they’ll last longer and stay effective.
Cleaning Reusable Food Bags
You can wash reusable ziplock bags in two ways: either hand-wash them with warm, soapy water or put some prongs in your dishwasher and seal the rod in the cutlery order. Once you have passed your reusable ziplock bag, place it over the drying rack, or you might try pegging it on your washing line.
We strongly recommend avoiding turning the ziplock bags upside down as this will degrade the bonding around the corners. Instead, to reach the hard ends or corners you cannot reach properly, use the blunt edge of the straw to get rid of the dirt. Doing this will help increase the lifespan of your reusable ziplock bags!
Erasing Stain and Mold
One of the great things about reusable ziplock bags is that they help reduce waste and save money in the long run. However, they can sometimes be challenging to keep clean, mainly if you frequently use them for colorful foods like beetroot or turmeric.
Mould is also a common problem, mainly if leftovers are forgotten and allowed to languish at the back of the fridge. Luckily, a simple homemade solution can help remove stains and mold from reusable ziplock bags.
Mix bicarb soda, white vinegar, fresh lemon juice, and boiling water in a container. Soak the ziplock bag in the solution for about an hour. Then wash it with soapy water; it should be as good as new.
6 Best Eco-Friendly Reusable Food Bags for Multipurpose
1. Stasher Platinum Silicone Food Grade Reusable Food Bags
Brand: Stasher
Size: 4.5 x 7.5 x 1 inches
Item Weight: 3.2 ounces
Are you looking for a better alternative to those pesky single-use plastic bags? Then, say hello to your new best friend, the Stasher Food Grade Reusable Storage Bag! This reusable ziplock bag is made of platinum silicone, known as the world’s self-sealing and reusable alternative to single-use plastic bags.
These bags don’t contain BPA, PVC, or latex. Since they’re reusable, a single-stasher bag eliminates hundreds of traditional single-use plastic bags. Unlike most plastic bags, Stasher bags can tolerate the heat when put in microwaves. So feel free to use them to warm up your food without worry! Plus, they’re safe to wash as many times as required.
2. Lunchskins Reusable Food Bags – 2 Piece
Brand: LunchSkins
Size: 8.25 x 0.75 x 10 inches
Item Weight: 1.5 Ounces
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative to traditional food storage bags, then LunchSkins reusable bags are a perfect option. These bags are made from BPA-free, PVC-free, and Phthalate-free materials and are safe for you and the environment. They’re also microwaving safe, making them ideal for reheating leftovers or packing hot meals. Plus, they’re dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
Their food storage bags are reusable, microwave-friendly, and resealable, making them an eco-friendly alternative to traditional bags. However, if you want a non-transparent bag, it would be better to opt for LucnSkins storage bags than Stasher bags since Stasher bags are transparent.
The LunchSkins package includes one large and one small bag, perfect for packing sandwiches and snacks. The resealable design keeps food fresh and makes it easy to grab and go.
And because they’re reusable, you’ll save money and reduce waste over time. So, make the switch to eco-friendly bags to save the planet.
3. Bumkins Reusable Food Bags – Snack
Brand: Bumkins
Size: 7 x 0.2 x 3.5 inches
Item Weight: 0.32 ounces
Bumkins Snack Bags are the original waterproof, durable, reusable bags. They are perfect for food storage and on-the-go snacking. The bags are made from waterproof fabric, making them more durable and long-lasting than plastic bags.
They’re safe for all uses, including food storage, and don’t contain harsh chemicals. Their unique zipping closure makes them leakproof, so you can rest assured that your snacks will stay fresh and delicious.
This bag is one step ahead of other food storage bags. It is more multipurpose than Stasher or LunchSkins bags, as it is also used for containers other than foods. In addition, it can contain phones, essential documents, and different kinds of stuff while hiking or on an adventure.
Best of all, they’re easily washable by hand or in the washing machine – turn them inside out for best results. So ditch those disposables and switch to Bumkins Snack Bags – your snacks will thank you!
4. Nordic By Nature 4 Pack – Reusable Food Bags (Sandwich) Dishwasher Safe
Brand: Nordic By Nature
Size: 8 x 8 x 1 inches
Item Weight: 2.89 ounces
Are you looking for an eco-friendly and reusable bag alternative to plastic? Look no further than Nordic by Nature! These bags are made of a safe, non-toxic material that doesn’t threaten the environment. They’re also dishwasher safe and easy to clean so that you can use them repeatedly without hassle.
Plus, they come in a package of 4, so you can always have the right size on hand. And when you switch to reusable bags, you’ll be helping to eliminate thousands of plastic bags from landfills each year. So do your part for the planet and switch to Nordic by Nature today! Plus, they offer a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.
5. Reusable Food Bags – 12 Count
Brand: Tangibay
Size: 11.02 x 0.01 x 10.63 inches
Item Weight: 10.8 ounces
Looking for a better way to store your food and save the planet? Look no further than Tangibay Ziplock bags! These eco-friendly bags are made of reusable PEVA material, which means they’re freezer-safe and can help reduce your use of disposable bags.
You can use up each Tangibay bag 350 times, which means you’ll do your part to help save the planet. And because they’re thick and robust, you can trust them to keep your food fresh in the fridge. So why not ditch those disposables and make the switch to Tangibay? Your taste buds (and the planet) will thank you.
However, Tangibay bags are unsuitable for microwaving compared to Stasher Reusable Bags. Again, one extra benefit is that they are 100% leakproof, unlike Bumskin bags.
6. Reusable Food Bags – 24 Pack
Brand: Qinline
Size: 11 x 10 inches
Item weight: 22.72 ounces
Are you looking for a creative and innovative way to store your food? Look no further than Qinline! These bright and colorful bags are perfect for taking your meals on the go or storing them in the freezer. Made from food-grade PEVA material, Qinline bags are leakproof and easy to seal, making them the perfect choice for busy families.
Hygienic and easy to clean, Qinline bags are a must-have in any kitchen. Handwash or clean the inner parts with a bottle brush. However, we commend avoiding dishwasher cleaning such bags as it might destroy the quality. Qinline bags are available in a packs of 24 and make a great addition to any home.
Why Should You Ditch the Reusable Plastic Bags?
It’s no secret that plastic pollution is a global problem. Every year, billions of single-use plastic bags are used and discarded, with only a tiny fraction recycled. The rest end up in landfills or litter, causing severe environmental damage.
The good news is that there are simple things we can do to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics. One way is to switch to reusable bags, such as ziplock bags. These bags are durable and can be used repeatedly, eliminating the need for disposable plastic bags.
In addition, they’re often cheaper in the long run, as you don’t have to constantly buy new bags. So next time you’re at the store, switch to reusable bags and help reduce plastic pollution. This also saves us money since we don’t have to go to the market and buy plastic bags very frequently.
Final Words
In conclusion, plastic bags are a menace to our planet. They take hundreds of years to decompose, and during that time, they release harmful toxins into the environment. Replacing disposable plastic bags with reusable ones is an easy way to do your part in preserving our earth. If you’re unsure where to start, we have a variety of eco-friendly reusable bags for you to choose from. So make the switch today and help save our planet!
