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Mesh bags = less plastic!

May 2, 2012 · 20 Comments

One of our goals, as a family, is to live in an environmentally friendly way. We find that we have to take baby steps – changing one little thing at a time. Otherwise, it’s just overwhelming!

Our latest eco-friendly swap has been to use mesh bags instead of plastic for our fruit and veges that we buy at the supermarket. I have been using green bags for years (and I am pretty good at remembering them now!) It just becomes a habit.

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I ordered some of these mesh bags from the kitchen shop where I work. If you can’t find them, ask your local kitchenware store to order them for you. There is also a company called Onya making a version too.

I have never seen anyone use them and I thought I would get some strange looks! Nobody batted an eyelid – not even the register girl! They weigh 15g each, so it’s not going to make an impact on the weight and pricing either.

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I think they are pretty snazzy – but, they are not so good for storing the fruit and veges in the fridge. Our organic supplier sells Peak Fresh green bags, so I have been using them to store the produce in.

The Peak Fresh bags are plastic, but they are really sturdy and reusable. I just give them a wash. They actually prolong the life of your fruit and veges too. That’s handy when I am paying a premium for the good stuff!

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Now, if you are really clever with a sewing machine (unlike me), then you could whip up your own produce bags using old t-shirts, like these I found on Pinterest. To see how to make them go here.

So, that’s our latest step towards making the earth that bit greener! It really is very satisfying to be able to make small changes and stick with them. Hopefully my kids are learning and gaining respect for the environment as we do these things. They are the next generation looking after our planet!

How do you buy and store your fresh produce?

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Filed In: HOME / Tagged: eco-friendly, fruit and vegetables, mesh bags, plastic, produce bags, shopping

Comments

  1. Amy says

    May 2, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    Thanks for this! I’ve always wanted something for my veggies instead of those little plastic ones. Great post! I even thought about using the green bags made for wine bottles but the weighing thing posed a problem.

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      May 2, 2012 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks Amy – I think the supermarkets should start selling them, like they did with the green bags. It would cut costs for them too!

      Reply
  2. Farmer K's Kitchen says

    May 2, 2012 at 9:46 pm

    I love this idea. I should also make more of an effort in being greener with things like this. Reading your post has inspired me!! How cute are those bags off Pinterest 🙂

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      May 5, 2012 at 9:11 pm

      It’s a gradual process for us, but we are getting there! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Tat (@muminsearch) says

    May 2, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    I’ve been reusing my plastic bags and taking them to the shop with me again and again. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten a new bag at the shop, but my husband gets them regularly, so we always have a fresh supply. But.. your mesh bags look a lot nicer.

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      May 2, 2012 at 10:13 pm

      that’s really great! I don’t think many people reuse like that!

      Reply
  4. The Yogic Housewife says

    May 4, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    I have the enjo ones they are great. Love that your whole fam is involved.

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      May 4, 2012 at 11:21 pm

      I didn’t even know enjo did them ! I really should have an enjo party and check it all out!

      Reply
  5. The Scrumptious Pumpkin says

    May 5, 2012 at 12:01 am

    My husband and I are in the habit of bringing canvas bags to the grocery store. I have a large purse so I generally just store smaller clothing items / items from the drugstore in my purse instead of taking plastic bags. So my next step is to find some of these smaller fruit and veggie bags as well! These are great ideas 🙂

    Reply
  6. slowyourhomeblog says

    May 7, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    Sonia, this is awesome. Totally going to get some of these – I’ve been looking for something similar for a while.

    Also, just wanted to say I found you via Me vs Myself and I love what I see. Thank you for all the fab ideas I’ve found already!!

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      May 7, 2012 at 2:44 pm

      Hello and welcome !!

      Reply
  7. Kirri White (@kirri_white) says

    August 13, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    I get my fruit and veges delivered from Aussie Farmers Direct (loose in a box) and when I pick up a few extras at the supermarket, I grab the plastic bags and secretly cringe….

    You know how you sometimes do things habitually, without stopping and thinking about possible solutions? Well…Thanks for providing some great alternatives Sonia! I’ve been making a few changes in my life since reading your blog 🙂

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      August 13, 2012 at 5:37 pm

      wayhay!! that’s what I love to hear !! nice one

      Reply
  8. Paul - The Kind Little Blogger says

    August 13, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    What a great idea. And good to hear you didn’t get any funny looks for your sensibleness. Do you place loose stuff in ’em, like leaves and beans?

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      August 14, 2012 at 8:18 am

      Hi Paul. Yes! I do get an organic fruit and vege delivery, but whatever he doesn’t have available, I get from the supermarket.

      Reply
  9. Tarnya says

    July 2, 2013 at 9:16 pm

    These are great!! I made some of these last month & love them. 🙂

    Reply
    • Natural New Age Mum says

      July 2, 2013 at 9:23 pm

      how did you make them Tarnya?

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Biodegradable Bags, Composting and Repurposing | The Kind Cleaner says:
    September 3, 2012 at 11:52 am

    […] It’s especially temping to wrap each type of fruit or vegetable you buy in plastic. Well, I was recently introduced to these mesh bags for this purpose – they’re reusable and washable.  If you don’t have mesh bags, […]

    Reply
  2. Six ways to reduce your plastic consumption (and a giveaway!) | Natural New Age Mum says:
    July 24, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    […] Use produce bags instead of plastic bags. This is one change I made last year. I don’t always remember to take them, but I do try. They are a fantastic reusable […]

    Reply
  3. What’s in a Natural, New Age Mum’s Fridge? | Natural New Age Mum says:
    October 31, 2013 at 9:29 pm

    […] normally have everything in Peak Fresh bags, but took it out so you can see what was here. Everything is organic from our lovely local […]

    Reply

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