Its greener and cheaper to reuse, but not necessarily safer.
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Key Takeaways
Plastic food storage bags are incredibly useful to have in your kitchen.
Many people use these bags topack lunches, save leftovers, and prepfreezer meals.
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The single-use bags are disposable, so you could just toss them after using them…butshouldyou?
Can You Reuse Plastic Bags?
Plastic food storage bags arent designed to be reusedtheyre disposable, after all.
However, there may be times where its safe to reuse them, which can helpreduce wasteand save money.
However, reusing plastic bags too many times can be risky, so there are limitations to note.
Glass food storage containersandreusable bagsare a safer and more sustainable option to consider instead, Gavin adds.
According to Eskin, the bags may harbor food particles and bacteria left behind from what they previously held.
So, give them a gentle but thorough wash if you want to reuse them.
Just keep in mind that washing plastic bags doesnt guarantee theyre safe to reuse.
Even if you wash the bags, the microscopic texture of the plastic can harbor microorganisms.
For starters, keep them away from heat.
When washing plastic bags, use lukewarm water rather than scalding hot water.
Keep them away from moisture as well, since moisture can encourage microbial growth, according to Dr. For example, when storingwashed fruits or vegetables inside a plastic bag, allow them to dry first.
Another tip is to wash your hands beforeeating snacksout of plastic bags you plan on reusing.
