Ziplock luggage will be useful for short-term storage, however they’re not probably the most environmentally pleasant possibility.
In the event you’re on the lookout for sustainable alternate options to Ziploc luggage, there are many nice choices which can be each inexpensive and eco-friendly.
14 Options to Ziploc Baggage
Listed here are 14 alternate options to Ziploc luggage which you could be ok with utilizing:
1. Bee’s Wrap Natural Meals Wraps
Honey’s Wrap is the right pure various to plastic wrap for individuals who need to keep away from or scale back their plastic use.
A number of makes use of are potential for this product, together with a plate, sandwich wrap, cowl for a bowl, or small lunch bag.
Beeswax and jojoba oil are infused into natural cotton swatches to create a cloth that seals out air and moisture, preserving objects from fruit to flowers.
A girl-owned firm has been making Bee’s Wraps since 2012, so you’ll be able to really feel good figuring out your buy goes again right into a small however mighty enterprise.
2. Paper Baggage
Yow will discover paper luggage at most any retailer, and so they are available in quite a lot of sizes. They’re good for packing a sandwich or some snacks for a highway journey.
Whereas not reusable, paper luggage are recyclable, so that they received’t find yourself within the landfill as plastic luggage will.
Plus, paper luggage typically have enjoyable prints or designs, to allow them to add a little bit of character to your lunch. You may as well search for them in several sizes.
Deliver paper luggage to high school, work, tenting, and extra.
3. Stainless Metal Bento Containers
In the event you’re on the lookout for a reusable possibility, bento containers are an excellent various to Ziploc luggage. These containers are made out of sturdy stainless-steel, so that they’ll final you for years.
They’re good for packing a lunch or snacks on the go. They’ve a number of completely different compartments for holding quite a lot of objects, and so they’re leak-proof, so that you don’t have to fret about spillage.
Plus, they’re simple to scrub – simply pop them within the dishwasher whenever you’re executed. And, as a result of they’re reusable, you’ll be doing all your half to cut back waste.
4. Compostable Sandwich Baggage
In the event you’re on the lookout for snack luggage which can be each sustainable and reusable, compostable luggage are an excellent possibility.
These luggage are made out of plant-based supplies, so that they’ll break down within the compost bin.
They supply the familiarity of a Ziploc bag whereas breaking down within the setting in a fraction of the time.
5. Foil Wrapper Sheets
Foil wrapper sheets are an excellent various to plastic wrap. They’re good for wrapping up sandwiches or snacks.
Additionally they retain warmth, so that they’re nice for packing heat meals. Foil is recyclable and can be utilized many instances earlier than discarding, so you’ll be able to really feel good figuring out that your wrapper received’t find yourself in a landfill.
6. Reusable Silicone Sandwich Baggage
Reusable silicone luggage are an excellent various to each plastic and paper sandwich luggage. They’re good for packing a lunch or snacks on the go.
As a result of silicone can stand up to excessive temperatures, they’re normally dishwasher secure as nicely. You may as well really feel good figuring out that your buy helps to cut back waste.
7. Glass Meals Storage
Tupperware makes an excellent various to each Ziploc luggage and reusable snack luggage. Glass containers are sturdy and safer to make use of than plastic.
It’s additionally microwave and dishwasher secure. A very good set of glass storage containers will final for much longer than Ziploc luggage and are extraordinarily environmentally pleasant.
Some glass is even oven secure though it pays to verify earlier than you set your glass within the oven.
8. Plastic Tupperware
In the event you’re on a price range, plastic meals storage containers are an excellent various to glass containers. Search for BPA-free and microwavable choices to get probably the most use out of your containers.
Whereas not as environmentally pleasant as glass, plastic containers will be reused a number of instances earlier than being recycled.
9. Cardboard Takeout Containers
A terrific biodegradable various to Ziploc luggage is cardboard takeout containers. They’re inexpensive and simple to throw within the trash or compost pile.
They aren’t the very best in case you’re storing meals with a variety of liquid equivalent to soups or sauces, however they’re good for sandwiches and different dry snacks.
10. Wax Paper
Wax paper is a good various to plastic wrap for individuals who need to keep away from or scale back their plastic use. It’s made out of paper that’s coated in a skinny layer of wax.
This makes it waterproof and excellent for wrapping up sandwiches or snacks. Wax paper can also be compostable, making it an excellent eco-friendly various to plastic wrap.
11. Parchment Paper
Parchment paper is made out of paper that’s coated in a skinny layer of silicone. This makes it heat-resistant and non-stick.
It’s inexpensive and simple to search out at native grocery shops. You should utilize it to line baking sheets, wrap meals, and retailer meals within the fridge or freezer.
12. Nut Baggage
Nut luggage are an excellent various to plastic luggage for individuals who need to keep away from or scale back their plastic use. They’re good for storing nuts, seeds, and different dry snacks.
Nut luggage are normally made out of fabric or canvas, making them reusable and environmentally pleasant.
You may as well use nut luggage for different functions equivalent to straining soup or soaking nuts and seeds. Multi-purpose kitchen instruments are a good way to work in the direction of going plastic-free.
13. Glass Jars
Glass jars are an excellent various to plastic containers for individuals who need to keep away from or scale back their plastic use. They’re good for storing dry items, equivalent to nuts, seeds, and snacks.
Glass jars are additionally microwave and dishwasher secure. A very good set of glass jars will final for much longer than plastic containers and are extraordinarily environmentally pleasant.
Additionally they are available in quite a lot of sizes, so you’ll find the right jar on your wants.
They’re much extra sturdy than plastic Ziploc luggage and are nice for carrying liquid-heavy meals equivalent to stews and soup.
14. Mixing Bowls With Lids
Mixing bowls with lids are an excellent various to plastic containers for individuals who need to keep away from or scale back their plastic use.
They’re good for storing dry items, equivalent to nuts, seeds, and snacks. They’re long-lasting and multi-functional, so you’ll be able to simply discover a set that may work on your wants.
Plus, they’re normally dishwasher secure.
Is Ziploc Biodegradable?
Sadly, Ziploc luggage will not be biodegradable. Relying on the supplies they’re product of, they’ll vary from a number of a long time to a thousand years to decompose.
There’s additionally the argument that plastic isn’t absolutely decomposed and as an alternative breaks down into tiny items referred to as microplastics.
Microplastics are so small they’re typically mistaken for plankton and eaten by marine life.
Because the fish digest the microplastics, toxins are handed up the meals chain till finally, people devour them.
Ziploc luggage are utilized by tens of millions of individuals day by day, so it’s essential to pay attention to the environmental impression they’ve.
Whereas we might not be capable to keep away from utilizing plastic altogether, we are able to make an effort to cut back our reliance on it by selecting sustainable alternate options.
Reusable snack luggage are a simple and inexpensive solution to keep away from standard plastic Ziploc luggage.
Advantages of Lowering Plastic Use
Lowering your reliance on plastic has an a variety of benefits, each for you and the setting.
It’s More healthy to Use Much less Plastic
When plastic is heated, it may well launch toxins that may leach into meals and drinks.
These toxins are referred to as obesogens and might trigger a spread of well being issues, equivalent to weight achieve, reproductive points, and most cancers.
Obesogens are particularly dangerous to kids and pregnant girls. So, in case you’re trying to scale back your publicity to toxins, lowering your plastic use is an effective place to begin.
Reusable alternate options to Ziploc luggage, equivalent to glass or stainless-steel containers, don’t have this danger. They’re extra heat-resistant and received’t launch toxins into your meals.
It Reduces the Use of Fossil Fuels
Plastic equivalent to Ziploc luggage are made out of fossil fuels, so lowering your reliance on plastic helps to cut back our dependence on oil and fuel.
Mining oil and fuel is a unclean enterprise that pollutes the air and water. It additionally releases greenhouse gases, which contribute to local weather change.
Creating sustainable alternate options to plastic is a key a part of the combat towards local weather change.
They’re Extra Sturdy
Ziploc luggage are designed for single use solely. Even in case you attempt to reuse them, they may degrade over time.
However, reusable containers can be utilized over and over and can maintain up over time.
Some folks even inherit their dad and mom’ or grandparents’ reusable containers, so in case you put money into a superb set of meals storage containers, you will have them your entire life!
They’re Extra Environmentally Pleasant
Plastic takes centuries to interrupt down, and when it does, it releases toxins into the setting.
Reusable containers are a way more sustainable possibility since they can be utilized over and over.
Biodegradable containers decompose shortly and have much less of an impression on the setting.
They Save You Cash
Reusable alternate options can be utilized a number of instances, a frugal tip we swear by.
You possibly can even buy Tupperware and jars on the thrift retailer or storage gross sales for much more financial savings.
For instance, if as an alternative of buying sandwich luggage on the retailer, you utilize a reusable sandwich bag, you’d save $0.17 per bag. That will not appear to be a lot, nevertheless it provides up over time!
Different Methods to Cut back Plastic Use
Along with utilizing reusable containers, there are different methods you’ll be able to scale back your reliance on plastic:
Deliver Your Personal Baggage To the Grocery Retailer
Most grocery shops now provide reusable luggage on the market, however you may also convey your individual from dwelling.
There are many choices you’ll be able to select from together with material, mesh, and even reusable produce luggage.
Many luggage collapse right into a small pouch, so that they’re simple to maintain in your purse or automotive.
Use Reusable Water Bottles
Plastic water bottles are probably the most widespread forms of plastic air pollution. It can save you cash and scale back your impression by investing in a reusable water bottle or filter pitcher.
You possibly can select between steel, glass, and even bamboo water bottles. There are additionally various completely different designs to select from, so you’ll find one that matches your wants and elegance.
Keep away from Extreme Packaging & Plastic Baggage
A method firms scale back their prices is by utilizing much less packaging. You possibly can assist by avoiding merchandise with extreme packaging or selecting manufacturers that use sustainable packaging supplies.
Many manufacturers now provide recyclable or compostable packaging.
You may as well scale back your reliance on plastic wrap by utilizing reusable silicone lids or investing in beeswax wraps.
One other solution to scale back your reliance on plastic wrapping is to purchase in bulk. This manner, you’ll be able to keep away from individually wrapped objects and packaging.
You possibly can typically discover bulk objects on the retailer or on-line.
Keep away from Microbeads
Microbeads are tiny items of plastic which can be typically utilized in exfoliating merchandise. These are normally present in physique washes.
They’re so small they typically find yourself being ingested by marine life. You possibly can keep away from them by studying labels and selecting merchandise which can be microbead-free.
Go To the Farmer’s Market
One solution to scale back your reliance on plastic is to purchase recent produce from the farmer’s market.
You possibly can typically discover seasonal fruit and veggies which can be grown regionally and simply take them dwelling in a paper field or a container you’ve got introduced from dwelling.
You may as well join a neighborhood CSA that may ship recent produce to you every week. This can be a nice solution to help native farmers and scale back your carbon footprint.
Make Your Personal Merchandise
You may as well scale back your reliance on plastic by making your individual merchandise. For instance, you may make your individual cleaning soap, shampoo, and conditioner.
This manner, precisely what’s going into your merchandise and might keep away from dangerous chemical compounds and pointless plastic.
Reusable Ziploc Baggage
Do you know which you could merely reuse your Ziploc luggage as an alternative of throwing them away?
The most effective reusable Ziploc luggage are freezer high quality and can final a number of instances, particularly in case you’re utilizing them for dry items.
In the event you’re utilizing them for wetter objects, then be sure to clean them and air dry them earlier than reusing them.
You will get wherever from 2 to 10 makes use of out of a single Ziploc bag, which signifies that they’re truly fairly economical in the long term.
And, after all, you’re doing all your half to cut back plastic waste.
Deliver a Container To the Restaurant
One other nice solution to scale back plastic waste is to convey your individual container whenever you eat out. This manner, you’ll be able to keep away from the Styrofoam or plastic containers that the majority eating places use.
You may as well ask on your leftovers to be packed up in your individual container.
Many eating places at the moment are utilizing sustainable packaging, nevertheless it’s at all times good to be ready. You possibly can hold a couple of reusable containers in your automotive or purse so that you’re at all times ready.
Recycle Your Plastic Accurately
Among the best methods to cut back your reliance on plastic is to recycle the plastic you do use. Sadly, many individuals don’t recycle their plastic appropriately.
Ensure you’re recycling your plastics correctly by checking together with your native recycling middle.
You may as well keep away from utilizing sure forms of plastic that may’t be recycled simply. For instance, keep away from utilizing plastic straws or plastic wrap.
Buy Pure Clothes
Do you know that the majority clothes is made out of plastic? Polyester, nylon, and acrylic are all made out of plastic.
These plastics can take centuries to interrupt down. You possibly can keep away from them by buying pure fibers like cotton, wool, or linen.
You may as well buy secondhand clothes to cut back your reliance on new clothes made out of plastic.
Secondhand clothes is usually simply nearly as good as new and also you’re giving garments a second life.
Remaining Ideas: Options to Plastic Ziploc Baggage
Lowering your reliance on plastic is a good way to be extra sustainable and environmentally pleasant.
There are various simple and inexpensive alternate options to Ziploc luggage, equivalent to reusable snack luggage, glass or stainless-steel containers, and biodegradable choices.
So subsequent time you’re on the retailer, be sure you ditch the plastic and go for a sustainable various. Your pockets and the planet will thanks!
