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ASHEVILLE GREENWORKS
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  • Programs
    • Bee City USA Asheville >
      • Native Pollinator Plants and Nurseries
      • Pollination Celebration >
        • Pollinator Photo Contest
      • Pollinator Garden Certification
    • Rivers & Roads >
      • Adopt-a-Street
      • Clean Streams Day
      • Cleanup Supply Stations
      • Trash Trout
      • WNC Big Sweep
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    • Urban Forestry >
      • Adopt-a-Spot
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We are drowning in plastic.

From beauty products to grocery bags to water bottles to our daily cup of coffee, plastic is present in every aspect of our lives. Most of these items are designed to be used once and thrown away, usually heading to the landfill.

Some of the plastic that we think can be recycled, like drink lids, straws and utensils, end up in the landfill because they're either too difficult to recycle or there's no market for the end products. Even recyclable plastic such as water bottles are becoming harder to recycle.

The most effective approach to reducing our plastic waste is to REFUSE, REDUCE, and REUSE.

In January 2019, GreenWorks spearheaded the creation of the Plastics Reduction Task Force -- a group of motivated volunteers dedicated to reducing single-use plastic in our environment. 
​
Join the plastic-free movement and break free from the plastic ties that bind us.
Donate now for a plastic-free future
Mind Your Plastic May is meant to encourage and challenge us in our journey to live plastic free. These posts are created by GreenWorks staff, Plastic Reduction Task Force volunteers, and other plastic-free advocates in Buncombe County. If you've found these posts helpful and encouraging, please consider making a donation to support this work. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
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Washing, Drying, and Organizing Food Storage Bags

5/15/2020

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By Debi Treleaven

Though we try to avoid plastic food storage bags by using alternatives (e.g. glass containers, fabric produce bags, beeswax, etc.), we still usually end up with some. Sometimes, one must buy nuts or trail mix in ziptop plastic bags. Buying nuts and dried fruits in the bulk section is an excellent way to reduce this type of packaging. However, for people with allergies or immunocompromised individuals, bulk sections aren’t always an option. If you’re not an avid home baker, it’s likely you purchase loaves of bread in plastic bags. Plastic food storage bags sneak into our homes one way or another. So, what can we do?

Plastic food storage bags are typically treated as single-use packaging, but they can be reused! 

To reuse your plastic food storage bag, you must first wash it. Follow these steps to safely and easily clean your bags:

  1. Turn your bag inside out.
  2. Hand wash gently with lukewarm water and a mild soap
  3. Prop open the bag using kitchen utensils or another rod-like object to ensure airflow circulates on all surfaces of the bag

Never use a scouring pad or rough sponge to clean your plastic bags. These abrasive cleaners degrade the bag and can result in the release of microplastic particles.
​

You can also make or buy drying racks designed especially for plastic bags. Here’s a link to one on Etsy. You can also make your own using this easy DIY from Pinterest! By making your own plastic bag drying rack, you can avoid the packaging and shipping associated with ordering online. 
 
You’ll also have to store your plastic bags once they are clean and dry. Roll up each plastic bag and store them in an open box, organized according to size. If you stick them on their end, you’ll be able to see what you have without having to rifle around.

Ideally, you should avoid purchasing plastic bags whenever possible. You can buy silicone bags from Stasher; these are dishwasher safe and hold up a lot longer than plastic. Pursue options like bringing your own produce bags, and filling up reusable containers in the bulk section whenever possible. No matter what you use, it is important to keep your food storage containers clean!
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Plastic bags drying on a plastic bag drying rack.
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A well-organized plastic bag drawer
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​Debi is a member of the Plastic Reduction Task Force. "Before Plastics pollution became evident I watched my parents (depression survivors) find multiple uses for items they already had. Mom washed and reused bread bags and that got me started. I have expanded it to include most bags I get. I buy in bulk whenever I can using my own containers, with glass or stainless steel as my first choice. Today these options are more important than ever. I have used the same 4 canvas shopping bags for 20+ years and I keep pre-used produce/bulk bags with them. I never go into the grocery without them."



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​Asheville GreenWorks is a 501(c)3 non-profit environmental organization, governed by a Board of Directors. Established in 1973, GreenWorks mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize individuals and communities to take care of the places we love to live.
  • Hard 2 Recycle
  • Programs
    • Bee City USA Asheville >
      • Native Pollinator Plants and Nurseries
      • Pollination Celebration >
        • Pollinator Photo Contest
      • Pollinator Garden Certification
    • Rivers & Roads >
      • Adopt-a-Street
      • Clean Streams Day
      • Cleanup Supply Stations
      • Trash Trout
      • WNC Big Sweep
    • Education
    • Urban Forestry >
      • Adopt-a-Spot
      • Cool Green Asheville
      • Food Tree Project
      • RRI
      • Tree Nursery
      • Treasured Trees >
        • Treasured Trees Calendar
    • Waste Reduction >
      • Asheville Bag Monster
      • Composting Information
      • Flip Your Lid
      • Plastics Reduction Task Force
      • Recycling Information
      • Smash Don't Trash
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Experiential Internships
    • Youth Environmental Leadership Program >
      • YELP Staff & Alumni
      • How to Apply
    • Make a Donation
    • Wish List
    • Sponsorship
  • Upcoming Events
  • About
    • Job Openings
    • History
    • Staff/ Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Blog Roll
    • Latest News
    • Protect our Pollinators
    • Voice for the Trees
    • Mind Your Plastic May
    • Fall Leaves