I think we have all learnt by now how to swap for sustainable choices in our everyday life: reusable coffee cups, reusable straws, always bringing our own shopping bags, solid shampoos and so on. But when it comes to groceries, it feels the only alternatives are buying from a farmer’s market or a bulk shop. Well, that’s simply not true. Here, we talk about some sustainable swaps you can do at the grocery store.
As usual, these are only going to be suggestions, I firmly believe every little counts! Even adopting only one of these swaps will help. Don’t get overwhelmed by how much there is to do: just do as little as you can and work from there.
Loose Veggies
In the past few months, it looks like most grocery stores are stocking their veggies and fruits loose. Most times, they’re even more affordable than the packaged ones! If you’re scared about picking the ripest and most delicious, remember that grocery stores tend to throw away the bad fruits and veggies. You’re already choosing from the best!
It’s also unnecessary to pick up a plastic bag to put your produce, or even waste the sticky labels. You can grab the amount you need and place it directly in your basket. At the checkout, you or the assistant will be able to weigh the veggies directly on the scanner and there’s no need for extra plastic!
Buying The Biggest Size
Again, a little trick that will save you money in addition to reducing some waste. When buying things like grains, pasta or pulses, always go for the biggest pack. I know it looks like a lot of plastic, but it’s better than keeping on buying the small ones.
When going grocery shopping, just factor in you’re going to bring back quite a bit of weight. It can be a bit daunting to buy so much all in one go, but I promise you won’t regret it!
Choose Glass Over Plastic
Unfortunately, this is not always the cheaper option. However, reusable glass jar are so versatile! You can use it as a plant pot, to store your leftovers or to serve some delicious desserts.
Make sure to double check the packaging of what you’re buying. Especially with condiments and nut butters, companies use quite a thick kind of plastic that sometimes can look like glass. Just give it a little squeeze to double check!
Finally, Check If it’s Recyclable
Especially biscuits and cookies, many items in the grocery store don’t have recyclable packaging.
Hope this will help you!
Lots of love,
Vxx