All right, now that I’ve gotten all box-related issues out of my system, it’s time to get into bags. No, not tote bags — I already wrote about those ages ago. I’m talking about these reusable organic cotton produce sacks.
In my various pledges not to use any new plastic and to buy as much in bulk as possible, I’ve run into a problem: Transporting things like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, beans and so on requires a ridiculous amount of preparation if I’m going to avoid using the disposable plastic bags. I don’t have any of my own and I hate reusing the flimsy ones from the store because they get all dusty and gross. I’ve tried bringing my own containers too, but they’re so bulky and often require weighing beforehand.
I really, really needed a better alternative. My friend Meghan told me a while ago she was going to make her own cloth produce bags, but it wasn’t easy finding material that hadn’t already been bleached up the wazoo, so I’m not sure what she’s doing now (Meg? Comment?).
Either way, when I found these cute little sacks online, I decided it was worth the splurge. And I can even write the code numbers for the produce on the bags themselves so I can avoid having to use those fussy twist-ties.
So the real question is: Who double-dog-dares me to ask the next cashier I meet if he can hold my nut sack for a second?
Image from ReusableBags.com
Double dog dare! Double dog dare! I always love a dirty double-entendre
*snerk*
I love those bags; I’m thinking of buying a few more for next harvest season. They also can be used as thin cloth for straining things. If you wash them in the washing machine, even on cold, they get so wrinkled up that they look like they’ve shrunk. They haven’t shrunk, don’t worry.
I made a couple of similar bags for produce, but tend to use them at the farmers market in the summer for items that “need” a bag, like beans and whatnot. My fabric is too heavy and requires weighing, too, so they’re not so practical for the store. You’ve inspired me to start looking around for a lighter alternative to make more!
and, yes, oh, yes, you should definitely ask the clerk that!
I dont think we have to double dare you, you can’t wait for just such an opportunity!!
I TRIPLE-dog-dare you!…and if you’ve ever seen the movie “A Christmas Story” you know this is the mother of all dares and cannot be refused…
I’ve got those too! What I’ll do for fruits is put one of the stickers on the outside of the bag so the cashier can see the code. That doesn’t work for nuts or grains so I go with the twistie tie. What kind of pen do you use to write on it so that it comes off?
You’re hilarious. Yes. I do want to make my own- a little G w/ P (ad talk for gift with purchase) for my clients. But it turns out, sourcing organic, unbleached cotton is a challenge. The big carrot sells little wee bit of cotton flannel (great for castor oil packs) for 13.00 which is waaay too much. So still on the hunt and would like to either order a whole bolt if possible, or purchase for a local retailer. Lots available on eBay but I am anti-eBay. They always pleasant Grass Roots people couldn’t recommend anywhere so if anyone out there knows of somewhere downtown Toronto that I could buy organic, unbleached light weight cotton or cotton gauze so that I can make my very own nut sacks- please let me know and I will send you a set.
I know you are off plastic, but grassroots sells these great green mesh bags to use for produce. It’s easy on the cashiers because they can see what’s inside, they’re easy to knot and unknot and they last forever. AND the sell 10 for $2. My boyfriend and I have had them for years and we never go to a store without them.
Omg, I love A Christmas Story — seen that movie a million times and still not sick of it. And yep, it’s funny you mention those mesh bags at Grassroots because I just saw them the other day and was like, “Damn! I should’ve just gotten these!” But the only problem with them is that the holes are a little too big for things like lentils or quinoa or rice. They’re really just meant for apples and veggies and stuff. And Crunchy — I was thinking of just writing the numbers on the bags of stuff that I get often enough that I’d just use the same bag over and over. It might not happen, but I’ll play with it and see what I can do…
How about using old flour sacks, they are big so cut them up and sew them up. Back in the 30s people used to make work shirts from them.
I’m so confused. Twisty ties? Like the ones that tie up bread? Why would you need them if you didn’t write down the code number? Why do you need twisty ties for nuts and grains? Do I know what a twisty tie is? Why am I so confused?
I don’t use bags when I buy veggies and fruits. I never really understood the idea of putting your veggies and fruits in one bag, only for it to go into another. It may be more work for the clerks when going through the check out but I just make sure I have all the same veggies and fruits together on the check out counter so it makes it easier for them. I do like the idea though of having reusable bags for bulk items. Thanks for the tip.
Oh…and to add to the boxes post. I’m moving in a few weeks and I pledge to not use tape and unnecessary packing materials ! Most of the boxes I’ve been collecting have lids and those that don’t will get packed with non fragile items. Towels and clothes will be used to wrap up the breakables.
Yay for a healthy environment!
I am making some of these with sheer curtain material I have had for a long time.
The bluck food store in the mall near me won’t allow you to use your own bags because
of the danger of contamination. I find thia really frustrating. Any ideas on how to get
aroun;d this?
My bulk spice store doesn’t let me use my own containers either… contamination, shonshamination… they’re full of it.
Why don’t you make good use of a pillow case? You already likely have several around the house, they are lightweight, sturdy, and you can reuse them. Either that, or take an old shirt that you’re not wild about and convert it into a bag? There is minimal sewing required if you do it right and you will be giving new life to something you would have not had a use for.
I was going to suggest the Grassroots mesh bags as well. Yes, they have their limits, but they’re awesome at what they do. (Bonus: You can wash a lot of fruits/veggies while they’re in the bag.)
For grains and other small things, can I suggest jars? Much more convenient for access in your cupboard, and you can bring them to the bulk store to fill.
In college they didn’t let students take out food in their own container directly from the buffet. But, if you put the food on a plate and then put it into your personal container, that was okay. Maybe those stores worried about contamination would let you put things into one of their bags, and then into yours. You could give back their bag, or pass it on to another customer secretly if they don’t want the bag back.
I’d go with the old pillowcase idea. Reusing and repurposing is even better than buying new, I think. Oh, and I know it might be a bit pricey but go and find latex surgical tubing to wrap and tie around boxes for packing. It flattens (so the boxes stack well), is infinitely reusable, is a natural material, and can be used as a clamp for fixing stuff as well! Lee Valley sells it but maybe you can get it cheaper from Starckman’s medical supply.
arduous: i think the twisty tie things she’s referring to are the plastic ones you see on bread bags, except the end of it’s long and made of paper so you can write the price code on it for the cashier to see.
I’ve just discovered this pattern http://www.circleoflifefoundation.org/action/arts/bag/index.htm and plan to use some second hand net curtaining that a friend found for me at an op shop to make some bags up.
Another option is to reuse the cloth bags that bulk basmati rice comes in. They have zips and handles and would be perfect. Except I give them to the same friend to use as knitting project bags… :-}
Hi Vanessa. I use the same cotton bags. In fact, when I table at Farmer’s Markets with Green Sangha, these are the very bags we give out.
I write the product code on the bag with a PENCIL. It works and comes off easily.
Also, note that the tag inside the bag gives the tare weight. Be sure and ask the cashier to deduct that weight from the total so you’re not paying for the weight of the bag.
Another tip: You can keep veggies fresh in these bags in the refrigerator if you dampen them first.
i QUADRUPLE – DOG dare you!
Go girl!!
Can you use plain paper lunch bags for bulk foods? Maybe the store would be willing to stock some.
If you go to a fabric store and get unbleached muslin those should work great for the reusable bags, and muslin is very inexpensive. You may also be able to find fabric at Goodwill or Salvation Army.
[...] the plastic fruit and vegetable bags in the grocery store is difficult – unless you are Green as a Thistle and you look for a better alternative. I have to get on the ball and get some of these [...]