Re-using plastic bags

I keep meaning to mention how long I've been using the same plastic freezer bags. Some of you know that I wash my bags and re-use and have been doing this for quite a long time, my mum used to do the same. I washed one of the bags a couple of weeks ago and I'd written a date and contents on the bag, the year was 2015 so that one bag was over 4 years old.

The bags I've been washing have lasted years longer than actual plastic containers I bought especially for the freezer, who'd thought that.

The moral of the story, if you buy decent freezer bags and wash after use they could last year's.😀

[KERRINGTON]

Hate to burst your bubble, but read about reusing plastic, plastic decomposition, and plastic in our foods. Happy reading

[Hidden in reply to KERRINGTON]

I've not read about re-using but I will have a look.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Alicia, I know that hot drinks in plastic and polystyrene cups leach chemicals into hot drinks and I believe it's high temperatures that cause the real problems so as you are washing and rinsing them and using them to freeze food you've the least to worry about chemicals leaching from frozen food in a washed plastic bag, in my opinion and I think that what you are doing is commendable as we have to do more ourselves, so very well done you.

Jerry 😊

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ah thank you for explaining Jerry, I didn't think about hot food. I do only use mine for the freezer and never heat food in them.

I have seen that with quite a lot of plastic containers they tend to be BPA free.

Thank you Jerry, I have a lot more to do but appreciate the compliment.🙏

[Zest in reply to Hidden]

I second the compliment, Alicia. Well done.

Zest

[Hidden in reply to Zest]

Thank you Zest, I appreciate your lovely compliment.

Alicia🙏

[Matt2584]

I’m glad to hear you re-use plastic bags :).

[Hidden in reply to Matt2584]

Thank you Matt 🙏

[PhilFreeToAsk]

I make my own bread and always freeze them in a plastic bag. About 2-3 years ago, I thought why am I using new plastic bags every time and then throwing them away?

I started re-using the bags. I bake bread every 7-10 days. That is at least 80 plastic bags saved probably nearer 125 bags. What an amazing figure when I look back. Yet it is just a small step. The plastic bags are still looking good. When these run out then I will look for an alternative source. Any suggestions for an alternative freezing source other than plastic?

[Hidden in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

I'm freezing my homemade sourdough as well as lots of other things in my bags. You've done very well so well done.

My mum used to wash plastic bags years ago so I'm following in her footsteps. The only other thing I can think of is foil which is another thing I try and re-use where I can i.e. I wipe it clean and leave to dry and fold for future use.

[deejames]

Considering the amount of plastic we ingest in our food and water anyway I am not bothered about freezer bags. I don't eat fish and never buy water in plastic bottles maybe it balances it out.

[Hidden in reply to deejames]

Yes maybe it does. I use glass bottles for my filtered water and don't buy bottled water.

[Agoodenough]

Hi Alicia, I’ve recently started using freezer bags, since my windfall of apples in the summer! I hadn’t thought of washing them lol. That’s a great idea so thanks for sharing. Also it’s good to know you’re M.A.D (making a difference). 😂

Ali 😁🌱

[Hidden in reply to Agoodenough]

Hi Ali

Freezer bags are ideal for the apples as they are fairly easy to fit in the freezer.

My mum used to wash freezer bags so I suppose I remembered that she used to do that so started doing it myself a few years ago.

I love your analogy, yes I am MAD, literally😂. Yes on to the serious side of things it does make a difference so thank you for saying that.🙏