You may have noticed that during the COVID 19 outbreak the Bring Your Own Bag Movement was put on pause just like all of us. No sooner had it become official when we had to take a step back thanks to the Coronavirus. That doesn't mean you can't use your own bags but it could mean you have to pack your own groceries or even leave your bags in the car. Some grocery chain have asked that you don't bring bags in the store at all right now. So stores have started providing bags again, for now.

If you are like me you might feel better using your own bag at the grocery store. Not to mention I finally started remembering to bring them when I go shopping. I don't want to have to relearn that behavior. So if you are shopping with your own bag it is more important than ever that you keep them clean. The New York Department of Environment Conservation included in their press release last week guidelines for cleaning reusable bags from the New York State Department of Health.

They include the obvious like using the single use bags provided by the store for your meat products. All stores should have a container where you can return the bags to be recycled on your next visit. Other tips that the the Health department suggests include keeping meat separate from vegetables and ready to eat foods. They also encourage you to wash the bags frequently and choose bags that you only use for food. Often people will place other items like clothes and then use them for groceries. This is not a good idea.

More From WZAD-WCZX The Wolf