In my efforts to decrease my trash output, I have made some pretty exciting strides in certain areas. (Click on the Zero Waste Project tab up top, or on the Zero Waste category to read more.) However, one area has continually challenged me: Ziploc bags.
The heartbreaking consequences of our Plastic Bag Society
On my Zero Waste journey, I’m happy to say that, as with paper towels, I have broken the habit of reaching for Ziploc bags simply out of convenience. I used to grab them for leftovers on a regular basis, and I used them in my lunch box on a daily basis.
I’m happy to say that I’m virtually waste-free for lunches, using only cloth napkins, and reusable containers. And I store almost all leftovers in reusable containers. However…
There is one particular area in which I find Ziploc bags indispensible: Frozen food storage. I like to make large batches of food when I have the chance (since I don’t get to cook as often as I’d like), so I have items to warm up for dinners and desserts throughout the week. This includes nut loaves, vegan empanadas, soups, cookies, and brownies.
Just one problem: I’m a single gal with no children, and therefore, must freeze things in individual portions, so that I don’t have to defrost the entire dish and try to eat it all before it goes bad. I’ve tried storing these portions in plastic containers, but they end up covered with freezer burn. The best solution I’ve found to keep these freezer-burn-free, and accessible in individual portions, is to…(I’m ashamed to admit this) wrap the portions in plastic wrap, and then place them in Ziploc bags.
On the plus side, I reuse the Ziploc bags at least five times – or longer, if they are still in good condition. However, they eventually end up in the trash can. And…the plastic wrap goes straight in, too.
As I said, these bags are really a thorn in my side. To complicate matters, in spite of my desire to travel green next week when I leave for France, I have ended up using about 20 Ziploc bags to hold snacks, toiletries, and clothing items. Again, I WILL reuse these, but eventually, they will end up in the landfill. Some of these Ziplocs could be replaced with heavy-duty plastic travel bags that are endlessly reusable, but I’m still researching the types of plastic used there, and whether or not they are, in the long run, better than Ziploc bags.
Plastic bags that come on new clothes to hold extra buttons
And has anyone noticed how these plastic zipper bags end up everywhere? Like high fructose corn syrup, they seep into our lives without our notice. Here is a pile of mini plastic zipper bags that I’ve “collected” simply from the clothing I’ve bought over the years. These all stored the extra buttons that come with the pants or jackets you buy, in case a button pops off and gets lost. And you know what? I’ve never, ever had to use these extra buttons. Hmmm…
Change is coming in the Ziploc World, but all too slowly for my taste. I have found that Ziploc now manufactures bags called Ziploc Evolve. These apparently use 25% less plastic, but cannot be washed or reused, and are, apparently, recyclable in recycling centers that accept #4 plastic. However, I’m a little skeptical. Twenty-five percent less plastic isn’t that much of a cut. And why don’t they discontinue their regular bags, and only sell Evolve? According to their website: “Ziploc® evolve™ Bags are an option for those consumers looking to make better environmental choices in their lives. It is our commitment to provide those options while continuing to explore environmental improvements for all of our products.” Sounds like a lot of PR to me that basically translates as: “We don’t want to lose the profits from those who prefer our standard bags.”
So, here’s the awful truth: Ziploc bags are super convenient and an excellent way to store food AND other items. (Goodness knows, there’s no shortage of uses for a product like this.) But here’s a MORE awful truth: Plastic bags are piling up everywhere. (Read an informative – and scary – article on this here. And check out this amazing post on Verda Vivo.) What choice will we make now? Convenience? Or can we step up to a challenge that will ultimately be good for us, our animal friends, and our Mother?
I’m on a journey to kick the Ziploc bag habit. What would it be like to not ever use those bags again? What a thought! I will soon post some links to reusable items that can easily replace bags in some instances. Until then, I’ll be experimenting with finding a way to freeze my food without using bags!
Are you a Ziploc bag junkie? What do you use them for? Have you begun to phase them out of your life? If so, how did you accomplish this?
It really is hard to live without paper towels or ziploc bags. I struggle with it daily. I’ve even gone so far as eliminating them from my home for a time-being (only using plastic reusable containers and those microfiber reusable towels that you can put in the wash), but inevitably I’ve come to except the fact that I do need a bit of both. Now I only use my ziplocs much like you do: Frozen food storage. I use paper towels sparingly: Mostly for when visitors come over. I put out the paper towels over my reusable ones: I just think it’s tacky to do otherwise unless I had a boatload of the later which I don’t: I just have 3 large ones and 3 smaller ones for kitchen spills and cleanups.
I totally agree! I have been getting better with ziploc’s control over my food life… I put cheese in a reusable container (but it’s still ziploc- DARN, at least it’s a reusable container…) and my next step is buying glass containers with non-pvc lids (anchor has some). But freezer stuff is a pain. We get around that a lot cuz we don’t make a lot of leftovers to freeze… which is actually something I want to get away from so that we can maximize local foods… I look forward to hearing any news about what other optios are out there!