Weekend Project: DIY Reusable Produce Bags

Remember the days when plastic bags were considered a convenience? Those flimsy, crinkled sacks are now a symbol of avoidable waste. The in vogue grocery slings of choice are reusable cloth bags. Almost every convenience and grocery store hocks these shopper-friendly, reusable bags that are printed with the store's name. But what do you find when you mosey into the produce section? Hundreds of plastic bags and cheap plastic ties. While some green shoppers easily forgo, others of us would like a lining between the soon-to-be-ours produce and the bottom of our cart.

We can only assume you would rather not use your hard earned money to purchase anymore reusable, eco bags, so we searched high and low to produce our favorite how-to's on constructing produce bags in a snap.

And fear not: If your well-intentioned produce bag project goes awry, we've got a back-up company that sells reasonably priced (and responsible) bags.

How to Make a Reusable Produce Bag

Use sheer material to construct your reusable produce bag. Sheer material options include:

• Curtain fabric
• Tulle
• Hosiery
• Nylon netting
• Mesh fabric

The sheer material should be lightweight to avoid adding unwanted ounces to your produce.

The following two articles have detailed instructions on how to construct bags:

Mother Earth News' "Do It Yourself: Make Reusable Produce Bags" has a useful image gallery with visual instructions.

CraftStylish also has a detailed, visual post on how to sew reusable produce bags.

Where to Buy Reusable Produce Bags

3BBags is located in Highlands Ranch, CO. The company sells bags in three packs (two bags are 11"x14" and the other is 14.5"x18.5"). The bags hold up to 22 pounds. Yes, the company's bags are made in China, but the chinese company is small and family owned. The company states the following regarding bag production: 

"Over the past 2 years, our manufacturer has become a trusted partner and collaborator. We have visited the facility and found that the following standards are met:

• Employment freely chosen
• Worker rights respected
• Working conditions safe and hygienic
• No child labor used
• Fair living wages paid
• Compliance with no excessive working hours
• No discrimination
• No harsh or inhuman treatment allowed"

image: rusvaplauke