Reddit mentions of purifyou Premium Reusable Mesh Produce Bags with Tare Weight Tags | Set of 9 | Superior Double-Stitched Strength | for Grocery Shopping, Nut Milk Straining, and Snacks | Washable

Honestly a lot of environmental impact can be reduced by "Joe Shmoes" like us. Taking steps to reduce how much we consume and reusing what we can adds up, especially when it comes to single use containers. Invest in a reusable cup, straw, and bags and you easily cut out a significant part of your contribution to plastic waste (not to mention discounts for using your own cup/bag). You can even get reusable produce bags.

I agree it takes political power to stop corporations from capitalizing off of the environment and dumping CO2 into the air, but that's where we can step in as well and vote for politicians that will fight for those ideals. This is especially effective at the local level as waste management is often dictated by state, county or even city.

As for the trashtag hashtag, it was positive to an extent, but all of that trash still ends up in a landfill that compounds our issues. To speak to OPs point, if we crowd funded research initiatives or support organizations that are genuinely working to create a more sustainable future like people are for the Notre Dame, leaps and bounds could be made.

Everything said, it's still a devastatingly sad day for France and the world.

TL;DR Make a difference, cut out single use containers, and start with reducing and reusing BEFORE recycling.

1. Yes because they are more water efficient than washing by hand when you run a full load. You can DIY soap, here's a great recipe: http://eco-boost.co/diy-zero-waste-dishwasher-powder-that-actually-works/
   
   
2. I have reusable produce bags that I love. I have two sets of them and I bring them for produce on every grocery run now. These are the ones I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XSHEJ90/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   
3. I use Tiger Balm (comes in a glass bottle with a metal cap and can be reused for other things after it runs out) on my more mild headaches by just rubbing it into my temples. As far as I know/have seen, pain killers don't come in non-plastic packaging so I just resolve to buy in bulk. I just recently bought a bottle of 500 ibuprofen tablets that expire sometime in 2020. Then I just keep some in a repurposed glass jar in my desk at work, some in a repurposed tube in my purse, and the rest at home. Instead of buying more bottles of smaller amounts, just buy in bulk for medicine so you only have one bottle as opposed to a half dozen or whatever. I do the same for allergy pills.

If you're already bringing your own bag, add a set of produce bags like these to keep in your bring-along bag, and use those for any produce/bulk item as needed. It's easy to just leave a handful in the bottom of your canvas tote. They wash well if they get dirty, and should help you eliminate the smaller plastic produce bags.

Bulk deli-style containers are orobably the second-biggest 'waste reducer' I've found; in the past I'd put leftover raw foods into a Ziploc or sandwich bag to store in the fridge, but never had much luck cleaning and re-using the bags. These are much handier, easier to clean, and are immensely helpful just from an organizational standpoint. Also can be used for bulk items if you plan ahead and bring them along.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00XSHEJ90/

I highly recommend this company. I bought that set and one of the bags hadn’t been stitched correctly and the seams were splitting. I wrote to the company about getting a replacement bag and they sent me an entire new set. They were very apologetic and gracious. Plus the bags are great.

My fiance and I have a set of these from Norwex, his sister is a consultant and we got some at a party she had last year, among some other products (which are really nice). But looking on Amazon I found some that have a lot of reviews and have a high overall star rating:

https://www.amazon.com/flip-tumble-Reusable-Produce-Bags/dp/B002UXQ7QQ

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XSHEJ90/ref=psdc_1252210011_t1_B002UXQ7QQ

Which reminds me that I'd like to pick up some more. Thanks!

I use these. The weight of them is on the tag, some places will subtract that weight from the weight of the produce. Or they will take the produce out to weigh.

I typically just don't use a bag for things I'm buying one of (cucumber, tomato, onion, etc). But I will use it for multiples to keep them together (apples, oranges, lemons) and herbs or smaller things as well (cilantro, garlic, tomatillos, etc)

I love that they come in different sizes, and the have the weight on them. I personally don't bother subtracting the weight. And I just store them with my reusable bags.

I've had a couple cashiers give me funny looks or ask what they are, but I just explain to them that they are reusable produce bags.

When I get home I will typically store the produce in other ways not in the bag. But I have kept the produce in the bag with no ill effect.

https://www.amazon.com/purifyou-Premium-Reusable-Produce-Color-Coded/dp/B00XSHEJ90/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497423734&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=produce+mesh+bags&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/purifyou-See-Through-Polyseter-Multi-Purpose-Organizing/dp/B00XSHEJ90/ref=pd_lpo_79_tr_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JJ165D607120N1MXR7MS

Are these like yours? purifyou Premium Resulable Color-Coded Polyester Mesh Bags (set of 9)