everyday zero-waste :: groceries

Changing the way we grocery shop has had a huge impact on the amount of waste we produce. Now finding food without packaging makes me so happy (because we can eat it)! :)

When I began reorienting my shopping toward zero-waste, I decided to drive a little further to reach a store that sold some ingredients in bulk. Now even the stores closer to home sell at least some ingredients in bulk. I like to encourage the offering of these choices, so I make sure to utilize these options from time to time too. The gluten eaters in our tribe especially like to choose a bagel or pastry or muffin + put it into a scarf or cloth bag from home as a sort of alternative fast food lunch.

The grocery kit I take to the store still looks very much like this on the inside...with the switch of grocery bags. I liked the shape + size + the ability of those bags to stand up on their own so much, but they were falling apart + were not sustainable. I like my Baggu bags very much (their colors + prints bring even more joy to our shopping days) + they can be returned to Baggu at the end of their usefulness to us...for recycling. I like that they can fold up small + can be washed too (I wash them once per month). Two smaller sized Baggus (reusable baby baggus) hold all of my produce together. At the checkout, the cashier removes like items, weighs them + puts them all back into the bag. My kit fits neatly into this canvas bag (Baggu Duck Bag)...with a pocket that holds rubber bands for the containers, pen + list. I throw a clutch with my wallet, etc. inside too + it's all I need. (I love Baggu.)  :)

A regular grocery shop looks something like this :: We focus on the perimeter of the store...I pick up our produce while the girls return our empty milk jugs + fill up our bulk bins with everything from baking supplies to whole grains to legumes to granola to spices to peanut butter to tea + coffee...we grab some full milk jugs...paper covered toilet paper (I buy 12 at a time + receive a case discount) + bulk soap...get our cheese + maybe fish containers filled...slice our bread + put it in a cloth bag...pick out some bulk cookies as a treat...+ done.

Our summer haul looks a bit more like this...light on the produce, because of our amazing CSA box.

Please do let me know if you have any questions! I'd love to give them a shot!  :)

Love,
​Jane