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When Farzan Dehmoubed and his wife launched Lotus Sustainables four years ago, they expected their first run to last four months. Instead, it sold out in eight days.
That early success confirmed a real need. Lotus Sustainables was founded to reduce single-use plastic at the grocery store. With less than 3% of produced plastics actually recycled and reused, the company set out to change how people shop. The Lotus Trolley system replaces disposable bags and the often-forgotten reusable tote with a practical, organized solution that makes sustainable shopping easy.
“This is the number one reusable grocery bag shopping solution.” – Lori Taylor (10:29-10:32)
The system includes a pack of four reinforced bags that spread across a shopping cart, opening and closing like an accordion. Heavy-duty bars rest on the cart’s frame to keep each bag open and upright, while the durable material supports heavier items. When not in use, the bags roll up compactly for easy storage in a car or at home. Specialized inserts and pockets protect delicate items—insulated compartments for refrigerated goods, padded sections for eggs and wine—so groceries stay safe and organized. Shoppers can dedicate individual bags for produce, meat, bulk goods, or frozen items, reducing the need for separate plastic produce sacks.
Beyond the trolley set, Lotus offers reusable produce bags that replace single-use plastic produce sacks. Customers repurpose these bags for a variety of household tasks—laundry, travel, crafting, or buying bulk dry goods like rice, beans, and grains—extending their usefulness far beyond the grocery aisle.
An average family uses more than 1,500 plastic bags per year. With less than 3% of plastic actually being recycled, that statistic highlights a significant waste problem. Switching to reusable solutions makes a visible difference. Many Lotus customers report broader changes sparked by the simple step of adopting reusable bags: replacing plastic containers with glass, drinking from refillable bottles, and choosing sustainable alternatives that benefit both the environment and their homes.
For Farzan, sustainability means reducing consumption, reusing and borrowing when possible, and making thoughtful choices about resources—not merely relying on the hope that plastics put into recycling bins will be repurposed.
“When you talk about sustainability, you have to really understand that we have limited resources in this world. How we approach our day to day and our consumption habits is so important.” – Farzan Dehmoubed (11:12-11:27)
Lotus is expanding into solutions for club-size retailers. In 2021 the company introduced larger trolley bags sized for carts at retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club, allowing shoppers to avoid bringing home excess cardboard and packaging that’s difficult to recycle. Lotus is also pursuing partnerships with grocery delivery services and platforms to reduce single-use bag waste in last-mile delivery.
Lotus Sustainables helps shoppers make a meaningful environmental impact by simplifying and organizing the shopping experience, cutting time at checkout, and reducing reliance on disposable bags—making sustainable choices more convenient for everyday life.
How to get involved
- Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the conversation with fellow shoppers and parents.
- Reach out to the podcast team to share where you are in life and business or to give feedback about an episode.
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Previous episodes you may enjoy
- Episode 131: Understanding The Impact Of The Fair Trade Movement With Iris Madrigal From Covilli Brand Organics
- Episode 130: Creating Delicious, Flavorful Meals With Fresh, Sustainably-Grown Herbs With Don Helms, Vice President Of Marketing At Shenandoah Growers
- Episode 129: The Patience And Elegance Of Pears With Erica Bland, Fourth Generation Pear Grower, And Neil Ferguson, Creative Marketing Manager At USA Pears
- Episode 128: Must-Have Thanksgiving Favorites From The Produce Moms’ Family
- Episode 127: Creating Sustainability And Functional Health From Delicious Agua Frescas with Hilary Long, and Sarah Frey, CEO of Sarah’s Homegrown Produce