As of July, quite a few single-use plastic items have been banned by the NZ government (read more here: https://environment.govt.nz/publications/plastic-products-banned-from-july-2023/). Single-use plastic tableware and cutlery, single-use plastic drinking straws, and single-use plastic produce bags will no longer be available.
Maybe you had already come up with your own solutions to avoid reaching for the single-use plastics, but if not here’s some DIY solutions, like sewing your own reusable produce bags!
Reusable veggie bags
You can absolutely sew your own reusable produce bags- if you’ve got an overlocker, they’re super quick!
Pair tulle, netting or lace with cord or ribbon from your stash. Here’s a great tutorial (and this one too), but any tutorial for a drawstring bag will work out!
While you’re sewing, whip up a smaller bag to jam all your produce bags into like this!
You can also sew a set of opaque produce bags (maybe an organic cotton, if you’re so inclined)- if they’re heavier than those sheer fabrics, write the ‘tare weight’ (the weight of the bag to deduct from the product at the store) onto the bag with a permanent marker and let your cashier know.
Reusable straws
Grab a reusable stainless steel straw from Chch-based Earthlove and then sew yourself up a pouch to carry your reusable straw in your bag (here’s a tutorial but a google search will show you that there are many different ways to house your reusable straws).
Reusable cutlery holder
Whip yourself up a cute reusable cutlery holder using this great free tutorial.
You can see that this one has room for a reusable straw, so you can avoid double-handling and whip up this 1 set to carry everything!
If, like me, you were using those single-use produce bags for multiple uses- storing your produce in the fridge in them… then it’s time to look for an alternative!
- Consumer NZ has some great tips for storing veggies, but it’s a bit plastic heavy
- Keeping leafy greens fresh without plastic
- Not all produce should be stored in the fridge
- Plastic-free produce storage
- Storing herbs for their longest life
I also spotted these french terry produce bags which are designed for you to wet and then store things in! Could be an interesting use for leftover sweatshirt bits!
Want to get printing?
Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.
