You've Already Ditched Plastic Straws, Now Try These Reusable Produce Bags

Purifyou mesh produce bags will keep your veggies fresh and your waste output slightly less horrifying.

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As I'm sure you're all aware by now, single-use plastic straws are tools of the climate-change-denying, turtle-hating, garbage-island-creating devil.

Disney / Via giphy.com

I admit it: I'm definitely among those who (sort of smugly) carry a stainless steel straw around with me! It's great!

But all this talk about straws just makes me think about all the other ways I mindlessly waste plastic every day. I've started bringing my coffee from home in a travel mug and have (largely) ditched plastic grocery bags for reusable nylon ones, and I have fallen madly (and smugly) in love with these mesh produce bags.

Plastic produce bags are one of those things I always used — and tossed — without thinking, but since I got these Purifyou mesh bags, I have been alerting EVERYONE to the waste (wow, aren't you glad you don't have to be friends with me??).

Jessie Gaynor / Via BuzzFeed

They're super compact and lightweight, so I can carry a few around in my bag in case the urge to hit up a farmers market strikes (this happens a lot, tbh). They also have handy drawstrings and closure beads, so they're really easy to open, both for you and the person who's checking you out at the register.

They're washable (I usually throw mine in the dishwasher because the laundromat I go to is a few blocks from my home and EVERY OUNCE COUNTS), so you can basically wash and reuse them forever. Literally, because they come with a lifetime warranty!

I'm not the only one totally sold on these bags. With over 1,800 reviews on Amazon, they have an average of 4.8 stars. (Take it from someone who reads Amazon reviews for a living — that is impressive.)

Amazon

"I love this product so much that it makes me excited to go grocery shopping, which everyone knows is a rarity. I will do anything to avoid using those horrendous plastic, environment-destroying bags at the grocery store, and I found the perfect solution! These bags are well-made and color-coded and the mesh material makes it light enough so they don't add weight to your items during checkout. The drawstrings are perfect if the checkout clerk needs to open them quickly for the code. I also use them to store my veggies in the fridge and you can pop them in the washer for easy cleaning. Literally, these are the best thing ever and even better — NO MORE PLASTIC BAGS." —asinha

"These are just wonderful. This is one of those things that you are like, 'I don't need that' and as soon as you get them you are like, 'How did I live without them!?!' I use them not only for kitchen things like produce and such in the fridge, and for non-refrigerated items like onions, garlic, and shallots, but also for things that clutter up my life. I am an electronics junkie and I have dozens of small parts, screws, batteries, and things on my desk. I put them in the bags and they look cool, and they are just translucent enough that I can see what is in the bag. And did I mention they look COOL? They really do." —GrettyMobb

Some reviewers note that they keep produce fresh for longer by regulating the moisture within, and I've definitely noticed that they prevent that disgusting liquefaction that happens when you leave leafy greens in your fridge for too long.

mandy / Via amazon.com

"I bought these and love that you get different sizes. Used them to bring my produce home from the store and then stored them in the bottom crisper drawer.

I purchased these carrots, parsnips, and broccoli on 5/19 and here they are today, 5/28!! Very happy with the amount of time I've gotten out of these veggies" —mandy

"I had used plastic vegetable bags with ventilation holes in them for years. When I found out some years ago that they were being discontinued, I bought a case. In spite of washing them out and reusing them, they eventually tore and I've run out. The manufacturer has no plans to make them again, so I started looking for alternatives and found these bags. They are working very well. That they let moisture escape prevents greens from getting wet and slimy and unusable. I use them for all the vegetables that I get at our farmers market and they work very well. I still keep the bags in the crisper drawer so there is not a complete loss of moisture, but they work so much better than the packaging bags or regular plastic bags from the store. They even work better than the ventilated bags I used for years. I'm very pleased — glad I found them." —Rowland

"These are really great! Generous sizing. Keeps veggies and fruit fresh for much longer. Kept a bunch of cut basil fresh for a week (which I have never managed before)! Plus, my refrigerator is really clean with no residue left in all the drawers. I have just ordered my second set so I can wash and rotate. Am going to order some for gifts too! Well done on a nice product that meets a need!" —Liesl B.

So far, I've only used these for produce, but given that they're bags and bags are notorious multitaskers, they would also be helpful for organizing and containing toys, office supplies, toiletries, and myriad other small objects!

Amazon

If you're looking for a super-simple way to use less plastic, get some of these. Trust me, it's in the bag.

Apple / Via giphy.com

Get a set of 9 mixed-size bags or 10 small bags from Amazon for $12.98.

Some reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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