Eco-friendly reusable bags have become a household item in recent years – and for good reason. Reusable bags not only reduce our single-use plastic waste, but they can also make grocery shopping far more convenient.
In this article, we’ve compiled five of the best reusable bags specifically designed for carrying and storing all kinds of produce. These options will make your life easier (and greener!) without breaking the bank. Read on to learn more about how we chose the best reusable bags for produce, or jump straight to our top picks.
How We Chose the Best Reusable Produce Bags
We thoroughly evaluated each product to ensure that we are recommending only the best products on the market. To accomplish this, we used specific criteria to determine if the product meets our standards.
Materials
We chose reusable produce bags made with sustainable materials such as:
- Organic Cotton – Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically engineered seeds, all of which have the potential to harm the environment, wildlife, and farmers’ health. Additionally, growing organic cotton commonly uses water-saving methods such as crop rotation, intercropping, and rainwater harvesting.
- Recycled Polyester – Recycled polyester is manufactured from post-consumer waste such as plastic bottles or textile scraps that would otherwise end up in landfills or the ocean.
- Hemp – Hemp can be grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides, making it better for the environment and the health of those who grow and harvest it. Hemp also grows faster and uses less water than other crops commonly used to make fabric.
Natural fibers and recycled materials are far more environmentally friendly than virgin and single-use plastic. However, to maximize their sustainability, these items should be used as much as possible. For example, a cotton bag must be used 173 times before it is considered more sustainable than a plastic bag, so we make sure our recommendations are bags that will last.
Quality and Durability
We only recommend reusable produce bags that are built to last to ensure that they are worth every penny. The more times you are able to use a produce bag before replacing it, the more sustainable it becomes! We ensured that the produce bags on our list are:
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Good capacity
Manufacturer’s Ethical & Sustainable Practices
We thoroughly investigated each brand to see if their products are manufactured ethically and their materials are sourced sustainably. We also prioritized brands that support environmental and social efforts.
Our Picks for Reusable Bags for Produce
Today’s market has a wide variety of reusable bags for produce of all kinds. We’ve done the research for you, so you can easily pick the best bags for your grocery shopping needs.
Reusable Produce Bags
- Purifyou Reusable Cotton Mesh Bags
- Organic Cotton Mart Mesh Produce Bags
- Ever Eco Reusable Produce Bags RPET Mesh
- Simple Ecology Muslin Reusable Produce Bags
- KonMari Sunshine Series Reusable Organic Produce Bags
Top Picks
- Most Affordable: Ever Eco
- Most Versatile Set: KonMari
- Most Sustainable: Simple Ecology
- Most Durable: Simple Ecology
1. Purifyou Reusable Cotton Mesh Bags
- Materials: Organic cotton
- Current price: $25 for a set of 9 bags in different sizes ($2.77 per bag)
- Sizes included in set: 2 small (12” W x 8” H), 2 medium (12” W x 14” H), 5 large (12” W x 17” H)
- Get this product: Amazon
Source: Mindy Wills/Amazon
Purifyou’s reusable cotton mesh bags are made of 100% organic cotton mesh. They come in a variety of sizes, making them versatile for various uses such as storing and transporting different sizes of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even toys and laundry. We love these reusable produce bags’ drawstring bead locks, which are perfect for making sure your fruits and veggies don’t accidentally fall out during your market trips. They also include a tare weight tag, a label attached to the bags to indicate their weight when empty. This tag is used to calculate the exact net weight of the contents you put in your produce bags. We find this quite useful when shopping to avoid being charged extra for the weight of the bag.
Rather than arriving wrapped in lots of plastic, these reusable cotton mesh bags come in a sustainable packing box that can be reused to store small items. These bags are also very easy to clean. You can either hand wash them or simply put them in the washing machine. Additionally, Purifyou pledges a portion of its sales to organizations that promote sustainable living around the world.
Cons:
- Because of the mesh design, grains and small beans will fall through this bag.
You can also get these reusable cotton mesh bags on the Purifyou website.
2. Organic Cotton Mart Mesh Produce Bags
- Materials: Organic cotton
- Current price: $17.99 for a set of 6 bags in different sizes ($2.99 per bag)
- Sizes included in set: 2 small (8” W x 10” H), 2 medium (10” W x 12” H), 5 large (12” W x 15” H)
- Get this product: Amazon
Source: Rob/Amazon
Organic Cotton Mart’s mesh produce bags are made of 100% organic cotton that is ethically sourced from India. These bags have double stitching on all sides, making them extremely durable and compatible with heavy-duty use. They are also sealable with drawstring lock features, which keep your goods safe and intact. The bags’ tare weight tags make it convenient to easily deduct the bag’s weight when shopping at your local farmer’s market.
Because they are entirely made of cotton, these reusable mesh produce bags are also very easy to wash and dry. We absolutely love these bags’ zero-waste packaging, which is made with 100% recycled paper.
Cons:
- Organic Cotton Mart mesh produce bags are not as clear and transparent as they appear in their images, making it difficult to see what is stored inside when using them.
- Produce tags are not very visible and may not always be scannable at checkout.
You can also get these reusable cotton mesh produce bags on the Organic Cotton Mart website.
3. Ever Eco Reusable Produce Bags RPET Mesh
- Materials: Recycled PET plastic
- Current price: $13.38 for a set of 8 bags in one size ($1.67 per bag)
- Size: 12” W x 14” H
- Get this product: Ever Eco
Source: Ever Eco
Ever Eco’s reusable produce bags are made from premium lightweight recycled PET bottles (the single-use plastic bottles commonly used for beverages such as water, soda, juice, and sports drinks). This bag not only works to reduce the usage of single-use plastic bags, but it also helps reduce the amount of existing plastic waste that ends up in landfills and the ocean.
Each of these reusable produce bags is spacious enough to carry up to 16 oranges while being exceptionally lightweight (less than 2 grams). They are also sealable with a drawstring for extra security. Every set includes a storage pouch with a carabiner clip that lets you fold and store your Ever Eco produce bags and fasten them to your bag or belt – we found this to be helpful for grocery trips on the go.
These produce bags are easier to wash than reusable cotton produce bags since polyester doesn’t absorb stains as easily as cotton fabric. Furthermore, the mesh of Ever Eco reusable produce bags is fine enough to hold grains and small beans.
Cons:
- Ever Eco reusable produce bags can be easily ripped with sharp or pointy objects.
4. Simple Ecology Muslin Reusable Produce Bags
- Materials: Organic cotton
- Current price: $16.95 for a set of 6 bags in different sizes ($2.82 per bag)
- Sizes included in set: 2 small (8” W x 10” H), 2 medium (10” W x 12” H), 5 large (12” W x 15” H)
- Get this product: Amazon
Source: Aaron S./Amazon
Simple Ecology muslin reusable produce bags are constructed of 100% organic cotton that has been certified by the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) for following best practices for ecology and social responsibility. These reusable bags, unlike our other recommendations, are made of cotton muslin cloth rather than mesh fabric, making them more durable and designed for heavy-duty use. As a result, these bags can hold a wider variety of produce, from fine grains and small beans to fresh fruits and large vegetables. They are also secured with a drawstring lock and sewn with an exterior tare weight tag.
Not only do Simple Ecology’s muslin reusable produce bags use sustainably sourced materials, but their packaging is also eco-friendly. The bags come in a Kraft paper clasp envelope, which is made from wood pulp that can be sustainably harvested and replanted. Additionally, the packaging includes ethically harvested paper and tree-free compostable paper receipts made from sugarcane pulp. Unlike other brands on our recommendations, Simple Ecology ensures their packaging is sustainable too.
Cons:
- Because they are not made with mesh fabric, Simple Ecology muslin reusable produce bags are not as breathable as our other recommendations, so they keep some types of produce fresh for a shorter amount of time.
You can also get these reusable produce bags on the Simple Ecology website.
5. KonMari Sunshine Series Reusable Organic Produce Bags
- Materials: Organic cotton, Hemp
- Current price: $24 for a set of 7 bags in different sizes and bag types ($3.42 per bag)
- Sizes included in set: 2 small mesh bags (9” W x 8” H), 3 medium grain bags (11.5” W x 10” H), 5 large mesh bags (17” W x 11” H)
- Get this product: KonMari
Source: KonMari
KonMari Sunshine Series reusable organic produce bags come in a set of seven, with a variety of sizes. The set includes two small and two large mesh bags made of GOTS-certified organic cotton, ideal for all sizes of fruits and vegetables, as well as three medium-sized bags for carrying grains made of sustainably sourced hemp. These reusable produce bags feature drawstring closures and a tare weight indication on the label for more convenient checkout.
We really love this set because you can easily separate and organize different types of goods when you go shopping. Additionally, the hemp grain bags have a fantastic natural anti-microbial component that makes them resistant to mold and rot, making them perfect for storing bulks of grains, nuts, or beans.
Cons:
- KonMari’s bags are a bit more expensive compared to our other recommendations.
Top Picks
Still having a hard time choosing from our recommendations? Here are our top picks to help you decide.
Most Affordable: Ever Eco
With only $13.38 for 8 reusable produce bags, Ever Eco is the most affordable of our top picks. Each of these reusable bags only costs $1.67 and can last many years with proper care.
Most Versatile Set: KonMari
The KonMari reusable produce bag set offers the best versatility. The set includes various sizes of mesh bags ideal for all types of fresh produce, as well as two grain bags ideal for storing grains, nuts, beans, and even sugar or salt.
Most Sustainable: Simple Ecology
Simple Ecology’s reusable produce bags are the most eco-friendly of our top picks. They are made with GOTS-certified muslin organic cotton, which ensures that they are sourced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Even their packaging and receipts are zero-waste, non-plastic, and made with non-tree paper, maximizing the brand’s sustainability.
Most Durable: Simple Ecology
Simple Ecology’s reusable produce bags are also the most durable of our top picks due to their muslin fabric. This type of cloth is sturdier than other mesh fabrics, making them ideal for extensive usage.