When I first began zero waste, I would either use mesh produce bags or no bag to store my produce in my refrigerator. For the most part I was able to use everything before any of it would spoil.
Since moving in with my partner, she prefers to store our produce in thick, reusable plastic bags. She likes to keep a large variety of produce on hand to encourage more variety in our diets. And so it is not as easy to consume everything before some of the produce begins to spoil. She is under the impression that plastic bags extend the shelf life of certain produce. Unfortunately the frequent cleaning & drying required to keep these plastic bags fresh can be time consuming. I’d like to simplify these processes.
appreciate any input regarding convenient ZeroWaste methods for improving produce shelf life. Do most get by fine without use of produce bags?
It’s always been my experience that they make the veggies go soggy and rotten quicker. I too am interested in some life hacks here.
Generally the bags need holes to prevent moisture buildup.
Here’s a good guide…
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/add-color/produce-storage-infographic
Besides the bags, some vegetables produce ethylene even after being picked. It’s a hormone that ripens most produce.
If you keep the ethylene producing fruit separate, the other produce won’t ripen as fast.
Have a Google search on the topic, it’s an interesting topic and an easy tip.
Same experience as Dr Wesker, I think most things need a bit of “air” to keep worst anaerobic bacteria at bay. Why not a bowl with a kitchen cloth on top, nothing tight? That’s what I do with fresh stuff (if cooked, sealed containers)
But even thus the fridge environment is not always ideal, I feel like loads of stuff (exept with this summer heat) lasts longer outside of it (wooden basket with cloth on top 😄 )
For example potatoes: never in the fridge
Tomatoes, if they’re good they’ll last months outside as well
ive found that plasic bags increase spoilage. but they do contain it. i use paper bags now sometimes, they keep the produce dryer. some stuff like tender herbs i wrap in barely damp paper but still keep in loose bags