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Reducing Waste With Your Shopping

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"I guess I'll grab some garbage to throw in my bin later while shopping for groceries today," you certainly do not say as you walk into the store. But that seems to be, at least to some extent, what you are doing, depending on the products you purchase. Your money could wind up in the trash if you buy things that are over-packaged, throwaways. In 2018 alone, the United States generated approximately 292 million tonnes of solid garbage.

According to a survey, containers and packing accounted for 28% of the trash, with grocery shopping accounting for a major portion of that material. Even though packaging can assist minimize food wastage by increasing the shelf lives of food products, grocery store trash is becoming a growing problem.

Do you wanna go eco-friendly and reduce waste with your shopping for the sake of the planet? Great! Here are some tips on reducing waste with your shopping. The planet will thank you for it.

Before You Go Shopping, Be Prepared

Making a grocery list is indeed an excellent strategy to avoid overspending and impulse purchases (which will lead to less waste AND you'll save money!)

When making your checklist, inspect your cabinets, refrigerator, and freezers to see what you've left and ensure you have finished up everything that is about to expire; it'll keep you from making unnecessary purchases.
Consider the dishes you will like to prepare over the following several days and make a list of the ingredients you'll need.
Maintain a daily checklist as you consume/run out of products, and make notes on quantity to let you shop more efficiently.

Opt for Reusable Containers

Here are a few incredibly useful tools you can bring along with you whenever you go shopping to start reducing your waste right away:

Reusable Bags

Bringing reusable shopping bags to the store, such as grocery bags, stashed carrying bags, cloth bags, satchels, etc would reduce the amount of plastic used and save you from going out and buying extra bags. One can also use smaller home containers or paper bags to package loose things like vegetables and fruits, eliminating the need for non-reusable grocery bags.

Reusable Containers

Containers, empty jars, old dessert tubs, and empty take-out boxes are all examples of those containers that can be recycled to save wasteful packaging while shopping. If you ask nicely, fishmongers, butchers, and fresh counters at grocers will often load reusable packaging or containers. At environmentally sustainable establishments, they could also be measured and refilled. Just ensure the containers are clean and dry before you take them with you to the store.

One helpful suggestion is to get prepared before you leave. Carry a pack of bags as well as containers on hand in case you need to go shopping on the spur of the moment. Depends on your daily transport. You can keep your bag of bags near the front door or even in your car.

Take Advantage of the Local Delivery Service

Delivery options that use plastic-free or reusable packaging are growing popular and are available.

Milk Delivery. Recyclable bottles are used by various non-dairy and dairy milk delivery providers.
Some veggie boxes and grocer delivery services provide plastic-free choices and urge consumers to bring their boxes for reuse.

Support the Local Farmers

Support and help the local farmers by shopping at local food stalls or at the farmers market in your town, if you do have accessibility to one. It's important to give back to your society, and purchasing locally is an excellent way to go about it. Many farmers sell whatever they have at the local farmer's market or local food stands, including products that are regarded as "ugly" due to a slight flaw. There's also less variety available, which motivates you to buy just what is needed.

Invest in Durables Because They Do Pay Off!

In today’s marketplaces, there are several disposable items. Every one of these disposal goods may appear to make things easier, however, they generate a large amount of waste. Find durable items, for example, replace disposable straws with reusable steel straws.

Following these tips might look like “so much work” but we all have a responsibility towards our planet. A few extra minutes and a little effort on your end can make a huge difference for the planet.