Plastic bags are made with non-renewable resources. They do not break down in landfills, they are difficult to recycle, and they are causing the deaths of birds, sea life, and other animals on a catastrophic level. Yet, the sad truth is that they are often only one-time use products that we discard as soon as they serve our purpose.
In fact, nearly 60,000 plastic bags are being consumed in the United States every 5 seconds. That is a staggering statistic, and even though many stores have done away with offering plastic bags for groceries, we are still filling our reusable canvas bags with fruits and produce wrapped in plastic produce bags.
That doesn’t make much sense considering the bad reputation plastic has received over the last decade or so. Most items found in the produce section can easily be put in your cart without the bag, but very seldom do we forgo the bag. This is because if we were to, we would end up with wilted vegetables in the refrigerator just a few days later.
Well, not necessarily. There are several newer companies out there selling reusable bags for produce, but you can also store fruits and veggies without the need for bags if you know how to best store them.
Here are some bag-free storage tips for some commonly purchased fruits and vegetables:
Beets
Leaving any top on root vegetables will draw moisture from the root, causing them to become lose flavor and firmness, so be sure to cut off the tops before washing them and storing them in an open container with a wet towel over the top.
Carrots
Cutting the tops off keeps them fresher longer. Place them in a closed container wrapped in a damp towel.
Cucumber
Wrap in a moist towel in the fridge.
Greens
Keep in an airtight container covered with a damp cloth.
Spinach
Store loose in an open container in the crisper. Keep cool as soon as possible.
Strawberries
Store in a paper bag in the fridge for up to a week.
Citrus
Store in a cool place, but not in an airtight container.
