I have been slowly moving away from using disposable items for years. The last hold out was Ziploc bags, which were so convenient for packing cheerios and crackers for my kids. However, last year I discovered reusable snack bags, which has finally made it possible for me to pass the paper/plastic aisle at the grocery store without stopping.
I bought the above SnackTaxi bags at a local eco-friendly store. They are well made and I like the fold over closure, but at $6.95, they are on the expensive side. You can find less expensive options on Etsy or you can make your own, using these instructions. Another plastic-free container is the stainless steel To Go Ware Sidekick
, it is sturdier, less expensive ($5.95), but harder for a toddler to use.
When I was visiting my Dad this weekend, I thought it was so sweet to see his recently washed plastic baggies turned inside out and hung upside down from the kitchen curtain with a clothes pin. It was proof that the nut does not fall far from the tree!
Have you found alternatives to plastic bags? Are you still rinsing and reusing bags like my Dad? Or do you think it is such a small expense that it is not worth worrying about?
To see what works for other bloggers, visit Works For Me Wednesday.
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Non Consumer Girl says
Hi Alea,
Thanks for sharing the reusable sandwich and snack bag idea.
Love it.
Non Consumer Girl
Anonymous says
I purchased and used Greentime Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bags. http://www.greentimebags.com/
We use them all of the time. Our sandwiches and snacks stay fresh for a long time. I figure the price that I pay would be about the same amount as I would be paying in all of the ziploc bags that I would be using and throwing away throughout the year. I have tried other ones but I like Greentime bags the best.
Alea says
Nancy, They are cloth on the outside and have a food grade nylon on the inside.
I hope you are settling into your new house!
Porch Days says
Are those bags cloth? I try to not use many sandwich bags but I keep them on hand and wash them. These days I pack snacks in plastic containers or glass jars. I reuse aluminum foil as many times as I can.
Laura says
We got some good-quality plastic containers at the Container store for lunches because the cheap Glad or Ziploc stuff often didn't come home, and everyone knows they will have to deal with me if the good stuff doesn't come back! I've bought cheap metal spoons and forks at the Dollar Store, and also look for them at yard sales so I don't feel bad if they don't come home (but they always do). I love the look of those snack bags!
Alea says
Crystal – that is a great reuse of the formula dispenser!
CrystalsCozyKitchen says
I have not found an alternative to sandwich baggies yet, and I'm excited to check these out. For my son I use a formula dispenser container to keep some cereal and dried fruit in our diaper bag.
Shana says
I have always done the rinse and reuse as long as it didn't have something bacteria laden in it. But i love these snack taxi's and maybe I need to make some.
Alea says
Sheila, I completely understand! MY husband has to swear upon his honor and his life that he will return my containers and silverware before I give him his lunch each morning! 🙂
Sheila says
My husband takes the little Ziploc bags of crackers to work every day. I tried other things but they don't make it back home–like most of the forks I send with him. I would love to get away from Ziploc bags though.
The Household 6 Diva says
Very good tip! Those are lovely little containers!!! And I just LOVE the name of your blog – what an inspiration!
Happy WFMW! 🙂
Annie Jones says
I wash and reuse in most cases. I need to find to make some of the reusable cloth ones, though.