Reusable Bags Review – Plastic Free-ish Challenge Swap #3

Here we are again with another update on the plastic free-ish challenge for 2019. Today I’m sharing a reusable bags review. By now, we kind of all know that plastic bags are bad for the environment and most of us probably also have a couple of reusable bags of our own. I was in that boat as well but I wasn’t very disciplined in using them. My goal for March was to ditch plastic bags and get more disciplined in using reusable bags. Here’s how it went, what I used, and my tips to help if you want to make the swap.

Reusable Plastic Bags Review – Plastic Free-ish Challenge Swap #3

Disclaimer

There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.

What I bought & how I use them

My biggest issue with using reusable bags was that I already had two but I hardly ever used them. They were large, bulky, made of plastic and unable to fold up. There was really nothing convenient about them and that’s one of the big reasons I didn’t use them.

I knew in buying new reusable bags, they had to be convenient. They had to be light, able to fold up, and I wanted to use something other than plastic. The biggest point I want to make in this reusable bags review is to get something that works for you.

I bought three different types of bags all from Amazon (and to reduce waste, I retired the old bulky ones for a new life as storage for work supplies). If you already have reusable bags, maybe the goal for you could be to be more disciplined in using them. There’s no pressure to buy new reusable bags – I just knew I wouldn’t use those bulky ones and needed something more convenient for on-the-go and travel as well.

For groceries

I bought two of these large bags (cost $18.97) to replace the grocery bags that I didn’t use. I love using these bags when I do my groceries and every time I have used them so far, I have gotten compliments at the checkout.

These biodegradable bags are made of organic cotton and are washable. One of the neat things about them is that they have pockets sewn into the inside to separate your bottles, jars, and things like that. They are large and sturdy enough to hold a good amount but they can be folded up to make using them convenient.

For travel, small purchases & extra grocery bags

I also bought this set of even lighter and more convenient reusable bags (cost $12.99) for travel, extra grocery bags, and smaller purchases. These can be folded up so small that they fit in my purse and I love the convenience of them. I try to always have one with me when I am out and about and the lightweight and foldable nature of them has made this easy to stick to. Though they are lightweight, they are quite sturdy and can hold a good amount.

I’ve also taken one with me on recent trips to Aruba and New Zealand and, I don’t do a lot of shopping while traveling, but for the times I have used them, they’ve been a convenient travel bag for when I am out and about.

To store them, I stuck a few nails in the wall and hung them up in my kitchen to serve as boho decor and, more importantly, as a reminder to make sure I take one with me. This has really helped because sometimes I need that reminder!

These are also made of cotton, washable, and can double up as a beach bag or cute tote.

For produce & bread

I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but at the grocery stores around where I live fruit and veggies is a really tough one because a lot of the produce comes already packed in plastic. Then for what’s not wrapped in plastic, we usually put it in a plastic bag anyway, don’t we?

I bought these produce bags to use with my groceries and have been using them mostly for fruit and veggies. You could also use them for other products like bread, grains if you shop at a bulk buy store.

If you can get to a farmers market or produce store near where you live, it’s usually easier to avoid pre-packaged fruit and veggies, and you’ll be able to use your produce bags instead.

I bought this set of six produce bags (cost $16.90) that include a variety of sizes. Since I’m in Italy where we weigh the item and print the sticker as the customer, I usually put the sticker on my arm or shopping list then give them to the cashier at the checkout.

Tip: If you get these, be aware that they will grow mold if you get them damp and don’t let them dry out, so make sure you air them out if they get wet or damp.

When I forget them

Since starting the challenge, there have been a few times where I needed to pick up something spontaneously and didn’t have a bag with me.

For example, one day I needed to get a couple of tomatoes on the way home. I didn’t have a produce bag on me. The challenge has made me more aware of using plastic bags and I find myself not wanting to use them.

As if I look at them differently.

In those times I forgot, I just chose not to use one and carried my items instead.

Pros

Obviously, the big pro in this month’s challenge is being able to reduce the impact on the environment. We use plastic bags so often that the impact on the environment adds up quickly so any changes we can make to the amount of bags we use is a big pro.

Another big pro is that the bags can have double uses. For example, I have used my travel bags as beach bags and my produce bags to organize some of the items in my backpack while traveling.

Cons

It’s one more thing to remember and one more thing to take out with you.

It’s an extra expense, whereas plastic bags are free a lot of the time depending on where you live.

I used to use plastic bags to line bins around the house. I also used them to separate my plastic trash for recycling. Now I don’t have them to use. I’m still trying to find an alternative at this stage.

Cost Comparison

The bags I bought cost $48.86 in total so we came in just under the $50 monthly budget.

There’s no money-saving in this month’s challenge. Plastic bags are free at most of the places that I shop at where I live. In some places I have lived and visited you are charged between 10 and 30 cents for a bag. If you live in any of those places you might save money over time. This month’s challenge is more about helping the environment than saving money.

Budget progress

My annual budget for the goal is $600 and I have $485.98 remaining.

Relatable: Using A Reusable Water Bottle For Travel – Plastic Free-ish Challenge Swap #4

Overall

Overall, I’m very glad to have made the switch to reusable bags and ditched the plastic ones. I love the reusable bags that I bought.

Finding some that are convenient has been a big help to adopt the habit of actually using them. It has been an easy change to make so far and changed the way I look at plastic bags.

I used to see them as just something to use when you buy stuff. Now I see them more as a harmful product that I don’t want to use anymore.

I hope this reusable bags review can help you if you plan to make the change!