10 Things You Never Knew You Could Do With a Stasher Bag

It’s impossible to live a zero waste lifestyle without first kicking the plastic bag habit. We use plastic bags to line our small waste baskets, store dry food items in the pantry and to marinate our meats and keep fresh cheese and veggies. They are used to put leftovers in and as disposable lunch bags for carrying those leftovers to work the next day. But it’s because of this usefulness that plastic bags have arguably become planet enemy #1 when you consider the following:

• The world consumes 5 trillion bags per year. That comes out to 160,000 every second!
• Only 1% of plastic bags are recycled.
• Plastic shopping bags average about 12 minutes of use before being discarded.
• Each plastic bag can take centuries to decompose in a landfill.
• Every year around 300 million plastic bags end up in our oceans, killing millions of sea animals each year.

So when Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags hit the green scene, zero wasters across the globe rejoiced knowing there was a planet-friendly alternative to the single-use plastic bags smothering our planet. Completely made from 100% premium platinum silicone that’s durably made to be microwave, sous vide, oven, dishwasher, and freezer-safe, these air-tight ziplocks can be used for anything that we use single-use plastic bags, do it better, do it longer, and do much more – over and over, again and again!

Below are 10 awesome ways to use a Stasher Bag that you probably had never thought about.

1. To-Go Containers

One of my favorite perks of zero wasting is dining out and taking any leftovers home completely guilt-free! After all, it’s for the planet, right? Styrofoam to-go containers take 500 years to decompose and release toxic chemicals during the process. These harmful toxins even leach into our food when microwaved. Next time you dine out at your favorite restaurant, bring a Stasher Bag with you and keep the planet, your body, and your conscience healthy & clean.

2. Ice Cream Maker

I scream. You Scream. We scream for Stasher ice cream! You can find easy-to-follow instructions online and experiment with your favorite flavorings. With some ice cream mix, half and half, and some sugar & salt, Stasher can help you beat the heat with your own homemade summertime (or all the time) treat in under 15 minutes!

3. Beach Buddy

Keep your summertime snacks fresh and your electronics and valuables dry at the beach or pool. Made from platinum silicone featuring a zip-lock seal for safely storing food and electronics, these endlessly reusable bags will keep the sand & water out of your belongings and plastic waste out of the ocean.

4. First Aid Kit

Accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and when it happens, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared to handle the boo-boos. A Stasher Bag is a great place to keep band aids, gauze, creams, sprays, medicines and all your other first-aid supplies airtight and dry for those unexpected emergencies.

5. Ice Gel Pack / Cold Compress

Heal the planet while you heal your body by using Stasher to minimize swelling, muscle spasms, and pain during injuries. Add 1 cup of 70% rubbing alcohol (or dish detergent) for every 2 cups of water inside one of these silicone bags, and you now have a homemade gel ice pack you can keep in your freezer whenever you need it. Of course, you can always throw ice in a Stasher for an immediate need for a cold compress as well.

6. Heating Pad / Warm Compress

Stasher can also do a body good by bringing relief to muscle pain and stiffness as a warm compress. Simply soak a small towel in water, place it inside a Stasher bag, and microwave it (or oven) unsealed for a few minutes until steaming hot. Carefully remove the bag, seal it, and wrap it with a second dry towel, and you have yourself a relaxing warm compress for all your aches. You can use rice as well to make your homemade heating pad.

7. Travel Companion

Stashers can be as useful for the suitcase, as they are for the kitchen. Next time you take a trip, organize your small items and essentials with these flexible silicone bags. Hold your small items such as passports, custom cards, ear buds, boarding passes, credit card in one bag and as a toiletry bag in another. Store your travel essentials in their own little place and pinch-sealed & safe with these see-through TSA-friendly containers that will cut down on your packing time and stress levels whenever you’re on the move.

8. Compost on the Move

It’s easy to collect your compost while you’re home. But when you’re out and about, bring along a Stasher as a mobile compost bin for your banana peels, apple cores, cherry pits, etc. so you can add to your garden-growing pile once you get back to the house. With an airtight burp-seal feature, you can discreetly carry your compost material without a fear of getting sniffed out.

9. Handbag Organizer

Whether you’re rocking a messenger, satchel, duffel, tote, bucket, shopper, or any other type of handbag, Stasher can keep you from having to fumble around in the deep, dark handbag abyss whenever you need to find something in there. Keep your purse neat by holding small items like makeup, snacks, keys, cards, and cash inside a sustainable Stasher.

10. Cook Food

Stasher reusable bags eliminate your need for eco-harming plastic bags by keeping fresh frozen and refrigerated foods, storing dry pantry grains and snacks, and marinating meat. But these airtight zip-locks don’t just do what single-used plastic bags do (and does it better). Made from 100% pure platinum premium silicone, Stasher Bags can be used for so much more around the kitchen and can play a larger part in your meals by cooking with them. They can be used on the stovetop for sous vide or steaming, in the microwave for defrosting frozen foods or to pop popcorn, and even placed in the oven to reheat leftovers. They are BPA-free so you won’t worry about harmful plastic chemicals leaching in your food, and are dishwasher-safe so you can use them over and over again!