Reusable grocery bags have become widely used as consumer seek to reduce waste, protect the environment, and save on bag fees. Are reusable bags really safe?
Reusable grocery bags are a smart choice but may come with some risk. Depending upon how the bags are used and the items they may carry, the bags may also carry germs like E.coli or Salmonella. Meat, poultry juices, and soil from unwashed produce can cause shopping bags to become contaminated. Several studies have revealed just how dirty those bags can be. However, the good news is that washing bags between uses or on a regular basis reduces the chance of contaiming foods with germs that can make one sick.
Food Smart Colorado offers these tips to keep bags clean and safe:
- Regularly wash your bags in the washing machine or by hand with hot, soapy water. Dry thoroughly.
- Store bags in a clean, cool location. Warm temperatures can promote the growth of bacteria.
- Clean areas where bags are unloaded before and after to reduce cross-contamination. This is especially important if a countertop or kitchen table was used.
- Do not use reusable grocery bags for other purposes. Bags used for groceries should be used only for food!
- Put meat, poultry, and fish in disposable plastic bags before placing in a reusable bag to prevent juices from leaking and contaminating the bag or other food items.
- Use a separate reusable bag for fresh or frozen raw meat, poultry and fish to avoid cross-contamination with produce or ready-to-eat foods.
Good Housekeeping gives this guidance on laundering the various types of reusable bags:
Canvas Bags – toss into the washing machine with hot water and detergent, dry in the drier.
Recycled Plastic or Polyproplylene Bags – wash by hand in warm soapy water and line or air dry; pay attention to inner- and outer-seams.
Insulated Bags – since insulated bags are usually used for raw meats, dairy products, and some produce, these bags need to be cleaned after each use with a disinfecting wipe and allowed to air dry completely before storing. If there was leakage of any kind, the bag should be turned inside out exposing the liner, washed with hot, soapy water and air dry.
Nylon Bags – flip them inside out; wash them by hand or on the gentle washing cycle in warm soapy water, and air dry.
However, no matter how diligent we are with reusable bags, waste disposal remains an inevitable part of daily life. That’s where services like Skips Rochdale come into play, providing convenient solutions for responsible waste management. Whether it’s household clutter, garden trimmings, or construction debris, skip bins offer a hassle-free way to efficiently clear out the mess. Just as we carefully choose eco-friendly options for our shopping bags, selecting the right skip size and waste segregation practices ensures that our discarded items are handled in an environmentally conscious manner.
So, while we strive to minimize our carbon footprint with reusable bags, partnering with services like Skip bins ensures that our overall waste management strategy remains sustainable and efficient.
When was the last time you cleaned your reusable grocery bags?
