What’s Really Inside Reusable Bags?
At almost every store consumers enter today there will be a display of inexpensive reusable shopping bags. In some locations the free plastic shopping bags, which were once supplied free with each purchase have been outlawed due to environmental concerns. Shoppers can be seen in practically every location carrying their bags into the store, or purchasing new bags because, once again, they have forgotten the ones they already have at home. While reusable bags seem like a great idea, there are some precautions that should be remembered when making the choice to use these bags.
Shoppers should take a few minutes to think about what is placed inside the bags before automatically reusing them without taking time for cleaning. According to recent studies, almost 2/3 of the bags that are being reused in the store are contaminated with bacteria or mold. Some of the contamination comes from the outside of packaging that is handled by numerous other shoppers as well as store employees. Others may come from the fresh produce or meats that are being placed in the bag.
Most of the cloth reusable bags can easily be washed and then dried on a clothesline or by hanging over a shower bar. The simple act of washing and drying the bag can help to reduce the bacteria and mold that is being found in the reusable grocery bags. With the heavier plastic bags that are becoming popular in many warehouse stores today, the bag should be wiped clean using a good antibacterial cleaner and allowed to air dry.
Additionally, shoppers may want to consider using a specific bag each time for meats and another for produce. While it is still necessary to clean bags in between uses to keep the contamination to a minimum, this helps to ensure that the bacteria from meats and produces do not mix, creating a similar problem as that caused by using the same knife or cutting board for both meats and vegetables.
Another option for persons making purchases at large warehouse stores, like Sam’s Club or Costco is to take plastic totes or even ice chests for packing their goods back home. Just as with the reusable bags, the bins should be cleaned after each use. These bins and coolers are easily cleaned using a water hose after each use, but if they become especially grubby, a little soap and a scrub brush or a shot of chlorine bleach can help to disinfect the item. If using bleach, be sure to allow plenty of time for the bin to air and the smell of chlorine to dissipate before the next use. An added advantage of using coolers for refrigerated or frozen food is that there is less chance of spoilage on the way home from the large monthly shopping trip.
In general, reusable grocery bags are a great idea. They cut down on landfill waste and the number of disposable bags that cause litter along the roads and highways. However, there are some issues of which users need to beware and take proper precautions to avoid.
