Table of Contents
- Plastic straws and single-use bags aren’t welcomed in today’s societies. Today’s eco-friendly “cancel culture,” said “no” to both of them, and it’s a rightful stand—their time has come!
- Wegmans store observed the harmful impact plastic bags have on our environment: they litter land and waterways and proposed a long-term solution—reusable bags.
- While replacing both paper and plastic single-use checkout bags may be an excellent idea, it evokes several practical concerns for most people, such as how these bags should be washed and how to prevent cross-contamination or not to encourage bacteria growth. Read to explore this trending topic!
What Do We Know About Wegmans Bags?
New Wegmans reusable shopping bags are made of polypropylene—this fabric is recyclable and expected to last through over 1,000 uses.
Reusable grocery bags are convenient—think about their sturdiness, ease of packing, and strong handles—features not offered by plastic or paper bags.
Wegmans reusable bags will hold your groceries without breaking or tearing, and this alone is its unbeatable advantage.
However, the most crucial is a matter of ecology. National Geographic reports that using reusable bags reduces the amount of litter on land and in the ocean. Studies have found that adapting to a plastic bag ban in some US and EU cities has led to a decrease in plastic litter in nearby waters.
According to Wegmans, if all customers used one reusable bag on each of their shopping trips, Wegmans stores would decrease plastic bags ‘ use by 357 million each year.
At Trader Joe’s, you can even win a gift card if you bring your own reusable bags.
Important: One study regarding bag production found that cotton bags have to be reused 131 times before they reduce their impact on climate change to the same extent as “bad” plastic bags.
In New York State, The Bag Waste Reduction Law, prohibiting plastic bags for grocery or retail shopping, was adopted as part of the state budget in 2019—points out City Limits in the article from February 10, 2022.
According to the Institute for Energy Research‘s article published in October 2020, eight states—California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon, and Vermont—introduced plastic bag ban for supermarkets and other businesses.
Important: Many of these states have overturned plastic bags temporarily during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Their concern was to ensure bags used in society were the most sanitary and safe. Studies show that unclean, not regularly washed reusable bags are more prone to carrying bacteria and viruses than their plastic counterparts.
Wash reusable shopping bags
As you shift from plastic bags to reusable ones, it’s worth putting an extra effort to keep them clean.
It would help if you generally cleaned anything made from recycled plastic containers (polypropylene bags) by hand in warm soapy water and line dry it.
Tip: Don’t forget to wash the inner and outer seams as crud can hide and collect there.
If you’re transporting raw meat in these bags—and it will happen—don’t forget to wipe them with disinfecting wipes after each use.
Hand wash
To have your specific bag hand-washed, sponge it out with soapy water and leave it to air dry.
Machine wash
Can you have your polypropylene bags machine washed?
Some of us don’t have time or patience to hand wash reusable grocery bags.
Experts suggest cleaning your reusable grocery bags after every use. It’s not a big price to pay for keeping your family healthy.
While hand-washed recycled plastic bags with soap and water will probably live longer, machine washing is also an option.
Don’t forget to set them on the gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent.
Always air dry recycled plastic bags.
Drying
To dry reusable grocery bags, employ a non-abrasive sponge or dishcloth to wipe the inside and outside.
After rinsing it well with hot water, invert it over a drying rack to air-dry.
It’s not recommended to turn bags inside out to make them completely dry—it could harm the sealed edges.
Important: Don’t put polypropylene bags in the dryer because they could melt.
You also want to prevent musty odors from the food you carry in your bag from developing.
To ensure no serious germ factories develop inside your bag, ensure your reusable shopping bag is completely dry before using it.
Tip: Never store reusable bags in the back of your car or the trunk, especially if they aren’t clean. Excessive heat can encourage bacteria growth even faster.
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