Dedicating your life to sustainability can seem like a significant step to take. After all, it can be hard to break old habits that you’ve had for your entire life. However, an excellent place to start is with your grocery shopping practices.
While food and other product manufacturers are starting to try their hardest to use plastic-free products, many still lag behind. Therefore, consumers have to put thought into how to go zero-waste grocery shopping while those such products still exist. Here are a few helpful hints to start your new life direction.
- Identify
Before you start your new zero-waste grocery shopping journey in earnest, take one last trip to identify what changes you will need to make. Think about the products you buy every week and how you will replace those. Some suggestions are listed here: How green is your beauty?
Identify products you buy from the deli that you may need to bring packaging for, and even whether you might have to shop elsewhere for a few items. Take notes as you shop so that you can be more prepared for the sustainable products you will need to buy.
- Bring Reusable Containers
More and more deli areas of supermarkets are encouraging consumers to bring glass jars and reusable containers when they purchase their coleslaw, pasta salads, and anything else that requires packaging.
Up until now, supermarkets would sell these deli-produced goods in plastic containers, but now you don’t have to contribute to that plastic waste problem. On your next shop, make sure you bring a selection of containers that can comfortably and safely house those goods you purchase.
- Bring Mesh Bags
Plastic bags on rolls have been a common sight in the fruit and vegetable department of supermarkets for decades. After all, no one likes a dozen apples to be rolling around their trolley freely. However, given that plastic is a cause for concern, an alternative solution came in the form of mesh bags. These multiple-use bags are for sale in many locations and could be the reason why tens of thousands of plastic bags don’t end up in landfill.
- Bulk Buy
If a recipe calls for 200 grams of almonds, some dried fruit, or something else that often comes in plastic bags, then think about global environmental sustainability. If there is a demand for these products in plastic bags, then the manufacturer will continue to produce them. And they will continue to end up in landfill.
If, however, you navigate over to the bulk buy section and buy such ingredients loosely in your own packaging (and thousands of others do too), then the manufacturer may rethink their packaging future. Their product is no longer in demand, but it could be if they changed tactics.
Zero-waste grocery shopping is easier than you think. All you need to do is think about the plastic packaging you usually purchase, replace it with reusable products, then enjoy the difference you could be making to the environment. You will be amazed at how little trash you throw away once you make a few changes in your life.
