“The primary benefit of reusable produce bags is to avoid single-use plastic,” says Daniel Hartz, founder of Sustainability Champions. “Single-use plastic causes many environmental issues ranging from how they are made (fossil fuels) to how they are discarded.” The Lotus Sustainables 100% Cotton Produce Bags are our favorite because they have tare weight tags, can hold 25 pounds of produce, and are made from 100% organic cotton. Ahead are the best reusable produce bags for sustainable grocery shopping. The Lotus Sustainables 100% Cotton Produce Bags are our favorite because these simple-looking bags are packed with thoughtful features such as tare weight tags and a hefty 25-pound capacity. Plus, Lotus Sustainables is on a mission to eliminate plastic bags from shopping. When shopping for reusable bags, larger openings allow for more airflow, which is good for fruits, but more tightly woven fabrics can be better for keeping veggies fresh. Some bags display the tare weight on the tag, making it easier for your cashier at the supermarket. These Lotus Sustainables bags encompass all of these features. This set of five bags includes one large, two medium, and two small bags, each made of 100 percent raw organic cotton. These handy satchels have drawstring closures with wooden beads and tare weight tags on the sides so you can pack these breathable bags with lemons or tangerines. Lotus Produce Bags are notably durable, too. They’re designed to withstand hundreds of laundry cycles and can hold over 25 pounds of produce without breaking. Price at time of publish: $17 They’re made of BPA-free polyester with drawstring toggle closures and colorful tare weight tags on the sides. While the brand recommends hand-washing these bags, some users said they’ve tossed them in the washer without any issues. These bags aren’t biodegradable so make sure you’re going to use all of the bags in the set on a regular basis. If not, share them with a friend. Price at time of publish: $14 These bags are crafted without the use of any dyes, bleach, or artificial substances of any kind. We also like that these produce carriers are machine-washable and dryer-safe. There’s no tare weight tag, so you’ll need to keep that in mind when weighing your produce. Price at time of publish: $6 The organic charcoal-colored dye is machine-washable and dryer-safe, plus it conceals inevitable stains. We also appreciate that these produce carriers have the tare weights listed right on the labels for easy-peasy checkout. Keep in mind that cloth bags provide less visibility than mesh bags, but they also offer more versatility since they can carry things like grains or nuts. Price at time of publish: $29 Price at time of publish: $20 It’s made of polyester, which helps keep moisture and air out to ensure your greens stay fresher longer. You can bring it along to the grocery store, then place it directly into your fridge, and your lettuce will stay crisp for up to two weeks. The bright green color is fun, but there aren’t any other color options available if you prefer a more muted tone. Price at time of publish: $12 To keep your veggies fresh, just dampen the fabric, fill the pouch up with produce, and stick it in the fridge. You can count on the contents to stay fresh for upwards of a week with no slime in sight. And if the bags dry out after a few days, just spritz them with a little more water. The cloth fabric limits visibility for the interior contents, so you’ll need to take note of which veggies are in which bag. Price at time of publish: $67
Weave
Some sets come with bags in different weaves—larger weaves allow for more airflow and smaller weaves keep tiny items (like bulk beans) in place. Consider the weave type if you plan on storing your items in the bags in your fridge or pantry until they are used. On the other hand, if your produce bags are mostly meant to serve as storage from the grocery store to your home, it’s not as important to have a variety of weaves.
Tare Weight
Produce bags can be quite a bit heavier than the single-use plastic ones from the produce aisle, which can increase your grocery bill. Most cotton bags will have the tare weight of the product clearly marked so that cashiers can take that into account when calculating price by weight. Polyester bags are generally lighter, so they may not have the tare weight printed directly on the bags.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland covers home goods, storage solutions, and lifestyle products at The Spruce. For this story, she interviewed Daniel Hartz, founder of Sustainability Champions, an expert specializing in eco-friendly innovations that can be incorporated into daily life. She compiled their product recommendations and insight into the reasoning behind single-use plastic alternatives. She then researched the various types, materials, and uses for reusable produce bags. The selected items had multiple sought-after qualities, such as tare weight tags, an organic certification, machine-washability, and a biodegradable design.
