Updated Jul 12, 2021; Posted Jul 12, 2021   By Linda Hasco | lhasco@pennlive.com   There’s no denying that single-use plastics are a huge contributor to the world’s plastic pollution problem. So, if your goal is to do your part and live a more sustainable life, you may be looking for useful eco-friendly alternatives, and that may present a challenge. According to CNN Underscored, there is good news. They’ve discovered an eco-friendly swap that they “can’t shut up about.” The sustainable product they’re in love with is Stasher bags.   What are Stasher bags? Stasher bags are reusable bags made out of the highest quality silicone called platinum-grade. They are also free of BPA, BPS, and other phthalates. Stasher bags meet “FDA and EU requirements for food contact and safety.” This means you never need to worry about plastic or chemicals leaking into your food, whether you use Stasher bags to carry your lunch, store leftovers in the fridge or freezer, or use them to prepare or reheat food in the microwave, oven, and even in boiling water, the report explained.   The possibilities with Stasher bags are amazingly endless. The news outlet said, “they’re safer, more versatile,” and simply “better than a traditional plastic bag.”   No matter what your kitchen or storage needs require, there are many different sizes and colors to choose from. CNN Underscored noted the sandwich, snack, half-gallon, and medium stand-up sizes can be found at Amazon, with additional options including large and small stand-up sizes, a carabiner-equipped go bag, and a tiny pocket bag on Stasher’s site. Plus, there’s a large list of bundles, which offer savings that can be purchased to start your Stasher collection.   Do Stasher bags last and are they safe? Several sandwich Stasher bags that have been used constantly for more than a year have held up perfectly, whether used for packing lunch or storing leftover chili in the freezer, with no weird taste from storing food in the bag. The report also touted the versatility of the various sizes, noting that they “open up a whole new world of food storage and cooking possibilities.”   A pinch-close airtight seal keeps food or leftovers fresh, and the news outlet said it never experienced any spillage or leaking with its Stasher bags. A half-gallon bag was filled with water and turned upside down. It’s shaken and squeezed, but “not a single drop came out.” The experiment proved when filled with hot water it could be used as a heating pad or when frozen, used as an ice pack.   According to the Stasher bag website — they can safely be microwaved, baked in the oven up to 400 degrees, placed in your dishwasher for easy cleaning, and safely used to sous vide.   What do Stasher bags cost? CNN said the initial investment for Stasher bags is a bit “pricey” — “the standard sandwich bag goes for $11.99 each” — but consider that they’ll last for years and replace “who knows how many boxes of plastic bags.” And, you also have the satisfaction of knowing that if you accidentally poke a hole in them or they reach the end of their life, they won’t end up in a landfill or the ocean — you can send them back to Stasher where they’ll be recycled through TerraCycle.   It’s so much more than a plastic bag replacement. Even if Stasher bags only had the single sandwich size, CNN Underscored said the product would still get its recommendation as a great way to reduce your single-use plastic waste. However, the wide variety of shapes and sizes allows it to fulfill so many different needs that it’s an amazingly versatile tool in your kitchen — “so much more than a plastic bag replacement.”