Best Alternative to Ziploc Bags: Eco Friendly and Sustainable Options
Over the past few years, I’ve noticed that I go through a lot of Ziploc bags. I use them to pack snacks for lunch, to store leftovers, to pack toiletries and small cosmetics when traveling, to organize craft supplies, pens, markers, etc. When we got our puppy, I was even packing a small Ziploc bag of treats to take with me on our daily walks.
There are so many things we use Ziploc bags for, and they’re definitely convenient and great for on-the-go! However, they’re so wasteful and harmful to our environment and marine life. Every time I threw a plastic bag in the garbage, I was starting to feel guilty. I knew there had to be a better solution.
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Alternative to Ziploc Bags
Now, the good news is that there are so many eco friendly alternatives to Ziploc bags. More and more brands have started offering better options that are reusable and safe for the environment. I’ll share some of my favorite reusable alternatives below and the pros and cons to each.
Reusable Silicone Bags
Silicone bags are a great alternative to plastic sandwich bags. They’re reusable, more durable, dishwasher safe, microwave safe, freezer safe and more ocean-friendly. If you’re someone that currently uses a lot of disposable plastics to pack lunches and/or store leftovers, silicone bags are a good option as they can replace hundreds to thousands of plastic bags.
Zip Top Containers
A few months ago, I had come across these reusable food-grade silicone bags from Zip Top. They’re sold on Amazon, made of platinum silicone that’s free of BPA, phthalates, lead and PVC, and can stand on their own, stay open and zip shut! I seriously haven’t found any other sustainable alternatives quite like it.
I love the entire design of these containers and their ability to stay open on their own. It makes it so much easier to eat snacks and food out of, pour leftovers into and clean. I own a few of their dishes, cups and bags and I love them!
They come in a variety of sizes: the sandwich and snack size bags are great for packing lunches, the cups are great for on-the-go (they’re the perfect size for your car’s cup holder), and the dishes are great for storing leftovers or any pre-prepared meals. Another great feature of these containers is that they are just one piece, so you’ll never have to worry about losing the lid!
The one con of these containers is that since they can stand up and stay open, you can’t really stack them on top of each other when they’re full, so they may take up a little more space in your cabinet or fridge.
Stasher Bags
I’m sure you’ve heard of the brand Stasher before. There are many similarities among Zip Top and Stasher silicone bags (I actually own silicone bags from both brands)! I love that both of their missions revolve around reducing single-use plastic and helping creating a better planet.
The only differences that I’ve noticed between brands is that Stasher offers larger bag options (a half gallon size) and more variety of colors. Stasher bags also have rounded edges and are more square/rectangle in shape.
I wouldn’t say one is a better option than the other, it just depends on what you’re looking for. They’re both good alternatives to ziploc bags!
Glass Containers
Glass containers are a great alternative to disposable ziploc bags and plastic containers because they are plastic-free, do not contain any harmful chemicals and are freezer, microwave, dishwasher and oven safe. Plus, glass is super easy to clean.
We love these glass food storage containers from Amazon. They have snap locking lids, so you don’t have to worry about any accidents or spills, and a silicone seal ring, making the container airtight. These also easily stack inside one another, for a clean and organized pantry.
Beeswax wraps
A natural and environmentally friendly alternative to Saran Wrap that you can use over and over again. You can use Beeswax wrap to store fresh produce, fruits, cheese, bread and to cover bowls or bottles. It also has more breathability than plastic wrap, so it will actually keep your food fresh for longer.
Bee’s Wrap Beeswax wrap is made of organic cotton, beeswax, organic plant oil and tree resin, making it biodegradable and compostable. So, if you’re looking to reduce your plastic waste in the kitchen, this is a great option! They’re reusable (for up to a year) and very easy to clean. After using one, simply wash with cold water and let it dry.
I did want to mention a few downsides to beeswax wrap, because like everything there are always a few cons. For one, it can be a bit pricey – a pack of three is around $15. They also don’t work well with all food items (liquids, raw meet, anything mushy, etc.) Beeswax wrap also melts in heat and does not have an airtight seal.
Glass Jars
Transitioning from ziploc bags to glass jars is a great way to reduce your plastic use. I’m sure you have one or two extra glass jars laying around your home that you can use in place of a plastic bag. Glass jars are great for storing veggies, slice fruits, nuts or any dry goods. Plus they’re freezer/dishwasher safe and pretty inexpensive.
You can always pick up more jars when you’re at your local grocery store, Target or Walmart too. This pack of 12 mason jars is under $10 at Target!
Stainless Steel Containers
These leak-proof stainless steel bento boxes are extremely durable, so they will last you a very long time! They’re great for on-the go and for everyday lunches, so you can ditch the plastic sandwich baggies and opt for a healthier, sustainable alternative instead. I also like that they’re dishwasher safe and easy to clean.
If you have kids, I recommend checking out LunchBots. The brand was started by a mom of two who wanted to create a healthier, nontoxic alternative to plastic bags and food storage containers. They offer stainless steel bento boxes that have multiple compartments so you can pack a variety of foods for your kids into one box!
Compostable and Reusable Sandwich Bags
If you currently use Ziploc bags for everything and are finding it hard to immediately switch to silicone bags or glass containers, these eco-friendly ziploc bags might be the perfect solution for you! They’ll give you that familiar Ziploc bag feel, but won’t harm the environment!
These resealable food storage bags are plant-based, compostable and biodegradable, making them the perfect choice for anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Hopefully this was helpful! I plan on sharing more posts like this in the future as I continue to learn and make more eco-friendly swaps in my personal life! I’ll be sharing a Summer Skincare Guide soon with all my clean beauty and toxin free product favorites. You can follow along on Instagram for post notifications and updates!
Shop all eco-friendly ziploc bag alternatives below:
Other posts you may like:
- 10 Ways to Lead a More Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
- 15 Things to Stop Buying to Save Money Easily
- Simple Ways to Switch to Nontoxic Products
This post shared the best alternative to ziploc bags.
