Ziploc alternatives: easy swaps for Australian kitchens

The easiest Ziploc alternative is the one you don't have to think about. Same shape, same zip, same spot in the drawer. The difference is what happens when you're done with it.

Our Resealable Food Storage Bags work just like the bags you already use, from $4.99. They're made from PBAT, corn starch and calcium carbonate, tested for food contact, freezer-friendly, and certified home compostable (TÜV Austria OK compost HOME). When a bag's finished, it goes in the compost, not the bin.

Why swap?

Conventional zip bags are made from plastic film that persists for a very long time. Soft plastics are also hard to recycle in Australia. Our guide to soft plastics recycling in Australia explains where things stand.

A certified home compostable bag skips that problem. It does the same job in your kitchen, then breaks down in your compost into carbon dioxide, water and biomass.

Pick the right size for the job

• Snack size: crackers, nuts, cut fruit, veggie sticks, a handful of lollies for the car.
• Sandwich size: sandwiches, wraps, muffins, a slice of leftover pizza.
• Storage size: leftovers, batch-cooked portions, half an onion.

Matching the bag to the food means less wasted space in the fridge and fewer bags overall.

Using them in the fridge and freezer

• Fridge: great for cut fruit and veg, cheese, deli items and leftovers.
• Freezer: our resealable bags are freezer-friendly. Press out the air before you seal, lay bags flat to freeze, and label them so you know what's what.
• Hot food: let it cool before it goes in the bag.
• Runny food: soups and sauces are better in a container.

Follow the usage guidance on the pack for the best results. For more freezer tips, see our guide to plastic-free freezer storage.

What about the other alternatives?

You'll also see containers, jars and wraps suggested as zip bag alternatives. They have their place. But if what you actually want is a bag (light, flexible and easy to throw in a lunchbox), a resealable bag that's certified home compostable is the closest like-for-like swap. No change of habit required.

Storing your bags

Keep spare packs somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sun. Compostable bags are designed to break down, so don't store them next to the oven or in a hot car. Our shelf life guide has more.

When you're done with a bag

1. Empty it and scrape off any food.
2. Tear it into smaller pieces.
3. Add it to your home compost and mix it in.

Using your council's FOGO bin instead? Check the council's rules on bags first. See compostable bags and the green bin.

Round out the kitchen

Covering bowls and wrapping leftovers? Our Cling Wrap is made from bioplastic and certified home compostable too. And for fruit and veg, our Compostable Produce Bags come on a 470-bag roll for $39.95, about 8.5c a bag.

Meal prep with resealable bags

• Portion before you freeze. Divide mince, stir-fry veg or cooked rice into meal-sized amounts so you only defrost what you need.
• Freeze flat. Press out the air, seal, and lay bags flat on a tray until frozen. They stack neatly and defrost faster.
• Label everything. What it is and the date. Future you will be grateful.
• Prep snacks for the week. Fill a row of snack bags on Sunday and the lunchbox rush gets a lot calmer.

Who the swap suits

• Families packing school lunches, where bags often don't make it home.
• Meal preppers and batch cooks who freeze portions every week.
• Anyone with a home compost, who'd rather the bag went in with the scraps than in the bin.
• Anyone who just wants an easy win. Same bag, same habit, better ending.

Getting the most out of each bag

• Seal the bag fully by running your fingers along the whole closure.
• Keep the closure free of crumbs and grease so it seals cleanly.
• Store bags flat in the drawer, not crushed at the back of it.
• Use the smallest bag that fits. It's less bag, and easier to freeze flat.

FAQ

What's the best alternative to Ziploc bags?

If you want something that works the same way, a resealable bag that's certified home compostable is the easiest swap. ZERO's resealable bags come in snack, sandwich and storage sizes.

Can I freeze food in ZERO's resealable bags?

Yes, they're freezer-friendly.

What are ZERO's resealable bags made from?

PBAT, corn starch and calcium carbonate. There's no PLA in them.

Can I put them in the recycling bin?

No. They're designed for compost. Put them in your home compost, or your council's FOGO bin if its rules allow bags.