Household waste, Zero waste
Hi, Rick here with another new blog. This time it's about how to take the environment into account while shopping, and how to prevent waste. We're talking about strategies to reduce packaging waste without compromising on choice or emptying your wallet. So I have plenty of tips for you!
Let's start with a hard truth:
Grocery shopping in a minefield of plastic
Walk into any supermarket and you are surrounded by a huge amount of plastic-wrapped products, styrofoam trays, multi-layer packaging and enough plastic bags to go around the world a few times. As consumers, we are programmed to reach for these handy, disposable options without thinking.
Kicking our plastic habit isn't easy, but the planet needs us to take on this challenge. Which brings me to our first zero waste commandment:
Bring your own bags
Say goodbye to single-use plastic bags and bring your own reusable shopping bags! These include:
Big shoppers for almost all groceries
Cotton bags for smaller items
Produce nets for loose fruit and vegetables
Reusable zip bags for frozen products
Some shops will offer unwanted plastic bags at the checkout - make sure you stop using them.
Avoid packaged fruit and vegetables
Many fruits and vegetables come in packaging. This is done to keep them fresh longer and to survive transport better, but let's be honest - those plastic bags for fruit and veg are a waste too! Wherever you can, choose loose fruit and vegetables that you can put straight into your reusable nets:
Such as apples, oranges, bananas, avocados, onions, potatoes, garlic,
carrots, courgettes, peppers and so on.
Leave the plastic-wrapped cucumbers and go for the naked ones. The same goes for lettuce and broccoli - skip the plastic wrap!
Buy in bulk
Sometimes you can't avoid buying products with packaging. Go for large bulk packs, or use your own containers to buy packaging-free products such as:
Rice, pasta, grains
Nuts, seeds, dried fruit
Herbs, tea, coffee
Snacks such as trail mix
Dry goods such as flour, sugar, oats
Some (online) shops even let you shop completely packaging-free!
Avoid over-packaged snacks
Let's be honest: the snack aisle is a nightmare for plastic junkies. But your salty, crunchy cravings don't have to harm the planet!
Some smarter choices include:
Popcorn in paper bags
Crisps in plastic bags without an aluminium layer
Biscuits without all those individual wrappers inside the pack
Or even better - make your own trail mix with nuts, seeds and dried fruit from bulk bins! You save money and avoid plastic.
Where you can, let the type of packaging decide what you buy. Choose food packed in paper, cardboard, glass, metal or plastic, but avoid packaging that ends up as general waste. Wondering whether the packaging belongs in general waste? Scan the barcode right away.
Some good choices:
Canned beans, tomatoes, coconut milk - choose BPA-free cans instead of plastic pouches
Stock in cartons - paper cartons have a smaller ecological footprint than stock in bottles
Milk in glass bottles - reuse the bottles to avoid single-use plastic jugs
Cheese in wax - then use the wax wraps to store food!
Wraps in mono-material plastic packaging - packaging made of several types of material can't be recycled.
Choose consciously by avoiding products with excess packaging.
Bring your own containers to the butcher
Pre-packed meat creates mountains of plastic waste. Go to the butcher instead and bring your own reusable container!
Ask them to put the meat straight into your:
Stainless steel lunch boxes
Glass jars or silicone bags
Containers lined with beeswax wraps
You reduce plastic waste without giving up convenience.
Buy seasonal and local products
As I just said, imported fruit and vegetables are often wrapped in plastic so they survive the long journey without spoiling.
Choose local and seasonal products instead. You'll have less packaging while enjoying the best taste at the best price. A win-win!
Look for alternative brands
For almost every product in your cupboard, you can probably find an alternative brand that produces less general waste. Products packed in metal, glass, cardboard, compostable materials or with minimal plastic recycle well. Products with several layers of plastic can't be recycled properly yet, but there are developments that will make it possible in the future. Packaging made of different types of material can't be recycled. Aerosol cans don't recycle well either, because of the propellant inside. For deodorant, you'd better use packaging made of glass (100% recyclable) or plastic.
Make your own basics
Homemade cupboard staples let you decide exactly how much packaging comes into your home. Make your own:
Soup - from leftover vegetables
Oat milk - from oats and water
Granola - with grains and nuts
Hummus - from chickpeas and tahini
Pasta sauce - from canned tomatoes
Freeze them in reusable containers for easy zero waste meals!
Skip the bottled drinks
Bottled drinks generate mountains of plastic waste. Replace them by:
Making smoothies or juices at home
Brewing tea or coffee
Drinking tap water with lemon, mint or cucumber
Making your own reusable water bottle part of your look!
See the article about products you can easily replace here.
Eco-friendly shopping doesn't have to be a chore
OK, let's wrap up this guide with a few final tips:
Going eco-friendly doesn't mean giving up convenience or settling for flimsy, airy-fairy solutions. There are plenty of smart, functional reusable options available!
And although regular supermarkets still have a long way to go, you have the power to choose lower-impact products every time those automatic doors open.
It may take some extra planning and preparation, but the future of our planet is 100% worth it. Just take it step by step - soon these eco habits will feel like second nature!
Let me know if you have any other shopping dilemmas! I'm curious.