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Have you ever wondered how to shop sustainably in a store full of plastic? Or are you trying but struggling to do it the right way?
First and foremost, there is no right way. Everyone is doing what they can, how they can. Everyone’s situation is different, so don’t be hard on yourself! Remember: progress, not perfection.
I’m not perfect either, and will never ever claim to be.
Zero waste is a goal that we may be all aiming for and consciously taking steps to reach, but will probably never get there. In this world, it’s just super unattainable, but as long as we are all doing what we can, refusing, and reducing our waste, then that in itself will make a difference.
I am nowhere near where I want to be, and that’s okay. I will never be completely zero waste and that’s okay.
It’s already super difficult in this day and age, but knowing that everything you do makes a difference and matters is a key step in the right direction. This is what will truly help us change how we think and what we do.
Just by being here and reading this, you are already on the right path. Knowing how to Grocery Shop sustainably is a really great step in the right direction! It means you’re being conscious of your actions and your impact on the planet.
I would just like to first say how proud I am of you and that you should be proud of you too. 🙂
Also if you’re worried you can’t shop sustainably because you don’t have a bulk section near you, do not worry! You don’t need a bulk section to shop sustainably!!
Here I’m offering all my tips and tricks so that by the end of this post, you can shop sustainably and without worry or doubt. If you find yourself seriously overwhelmed or stressed, just take a step back. It’s okay if you can’t or don’t do things perfectly. NO ONE is doing this perfectly, trust me. We are all learning and growing together. It is better that you make small changes than none at all.
Be kind to yourself and remember we are all on this journey together. If you have any questions, you can always leave a comment or contact me directly. I’m an actual human being, I will reply :).
Okay, let’s get into it!
Bring Your Own Reusable Bags
I feel like this is probably the most obvious one since this is getting more common nowadays (yay).
Bringing your own bags is a great way to show that you are actively trying to help the environment. It’s a really easy and impactful first step to take if you haven’t started using them yet!
Try to remember to always keep it in your car so you don’t forget to bring it with you (this happens more times than you’d think). Also, make sure that you’re bringing enough bags down to the store with you. I always bring at least one more bag than I think I’ll need, and most of the time I actually end up needing it. I greatly underestimate how many bags I need a lot of the time haha.
Grocery bags aren’t the only plastic bags you can replace. Produce bags are also a great investment and saves some plastic as well. And if you buy fresh bread, bring your own cloth bag for it!
It takes plastic hundreds if not thousands of years to decompose, and it still doesn’t fully break down but instead becomes microplastics that absorb toxins and still pollute the planet.
Considering how many plastic bags are used everyday (one trillion across the globe), this is a big deal.
You can’t recycle plastic bags curbside, but you can check out this website to see if there are any stores near you that collects these bags for recycling!
If it’s possible, try to opt for reusable bags made from hemp or cotton as they are better for the environment. EarthHero is a great brand that has reusable produce bags made out of recycled plastic bottles and reusable grocery bags made out of recycled cotton! You can get 10% off your next order with my discount code: farahaljallad.
Avoid Plastic Packaging
I always recommend avoiding plastic packaging whenever possible. When you’re buying things other than fruits and vegetables, try to opt for glass, steel, or paper, which are all much better alternatives.
If you see something with a lot of excess packaging, it’s better to try to avoid those as best as you can.
In the case that you have to buy plastic, check to see if it’s recyclable. If it’s not, you might be able to find a better alternative for that item, or maybe skipping out on it this time if you don’t really need it.
If it is recyclable, make sure to recycle it! According to National Geographic, only 9 percent of plastic actually gets recycled, meaning 91% of plastic doesn’t. Check out my step-by-step guide on How to Recycle.
Another great tip is to buy the biggest option available. This way you’ll save on packaging, money, and time as you won’t have to restock as often.
If you’re buying something like chips, rice, or frozen fruit, these packages often can not be recycled (of course, always double-check). Instead of throwing them out right away, reuse them for things like picking up cat litter or dog poo. You can also check to see if a store near you takes it for recycling.
And lastly, avoid anything in plastic if you can get it in bulk, which brings me to my next point.
Buy In Bulk Quanties
This is a great tip and one of the most recommended. However, I understand this isn’t an option that’s available to everyone, and I want to stress again to just do what you can and don’t feel bad about what you can’t do.
Remember to bring enough jars when buying bulk. Before getting the food, go to the cashier to weigh your jar so that you don’t get charged extra for it. Then write down the number on the jar with a marker or on your phone. It’s also a good idea to write down the PLU # (price-look-up code of the item) on your phone or take a picture of it, instead of using a piece of paper.
Make sure to ask if the cashier has tare capabilities. Taring allows you to measure the weight of the contents inside the jar, without the weight of the jar, which is why weighing the jar beforehand is important!
Side note: another great tip is to write your list down on your phone instead of using a paper list!
Shop Local Farmers Market
You can check if there’s a farmers market near you and if there is, then this is another great option! They are mostly limited plastic/packaging and a plus is your supporting individual people/businesses while also getting fresh food!
If something you buy comes with a rubber band, you can always give it back and ask them to reuse it. I’m sure they would be happy to.
Support Low Waste Stores
This is also a really great way to reduce waste! Stores like Trader Joes and Aldi are working on packaging less of their produce in plastic.
Trader Joes only uses paper bags and sells reusable bags. They’ve also replaced their plastic produce bags with biodegradable and compostable bags.
Aldi currently charges to use plastic bags, but is in the process of completely eliminating them to encourage reusable bags. They also sell reusable bags!
According to Aldi, By 2025, 100% of their products, including plastic packaging, will have reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging.
I love Aldi because not only are they working to become more sustainable, but they are also super inexpensive which is really great if you’re on a budget.
Eat More Plants
This is a great way to reduce your overall environmental impact, since it takes significantly less resources to grow fruits and vegetables than it does livestock.
A 2018 study found that the biggest way to reduce your environmental impact is by implementing a vegan diet.
Now, I know that this isn’t an option for many people for different reasons, and I am in no way trying to push this on anyone.
I do, however, think eating more plant-based meals can overall make a huge difference. If you eat meat every day, try going a day without meat. Or even start smaller than that and just eat one plant-based meal a week. Participate in things like meatless Monday or go to a vegan restaurant with some friends! Every little switch matters and I thank you if you’re being more conscious of what you’re eating or trying to eat less meat.
The most important thing is that you try and don’t feel bad for what you can’t do. I don’t ever want to push this on anyone, I understand that everyones situation is different and I respect that.
But if you are interested in adopting a vegan diet, you can learn more here!
It’s also important that you go at your own pace and don’t force yourself into eating fully plant-based if you aren’t comfortable with it. For most people, it is much easier for them to gradually go into it.
Cut little things out at a time and then eventually, when you’re comfortable, switch to fully eating plants. I know many people who slowly cut meat out of their diet for a while and stayed vegetarian until they felt comfortable enough to go fully vegan.
Either way, do what you think is best for you. I don’t want anyone to end up hating or resenting a vegan diet because they didn’t do it the right way or pushed themselves into it.
A great thing about being vegan these days is that there are so many different alternatives for things like butter, milk, cheese, and even meat! Since these things are normally packaged in plastic anyways, try opting for a vegan version! My favorites are hellman’s vegan mayo (tastes almost, if not, identical to mayo. I have non-vegans confirming this), Gardein and Morning Star are some of my fave meat alternatives, and Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy ice cream (they are to DIE for).
Morning Star is still transitioning from being vegetarian to going fully vegan (by 2021), so just double-check to make sure it doesn’t have any dairy or egg products (I’ve made that mistake many times 😪 ).
And I’m sure many of you have heard of the Impossible and Beyond Burgers, which are really great alternatives to meat!
Whatever you choose to do, just remember to stay positive and always try your best. That’s all most of us can do anyway. I’m proud of you nonetheless.
Do Your Best
So by now you should know all the basics when it comes to shopping sustainably! I hope you’re feeling good and encouraged to live a more sustainable life!
Most of all remember not to be too hard on yourself. Being conscious about what you’re buying and where it is coming from and packaged in is the first step. Now you’re a conscious consumer and that is so important and something to be proud of!
Ultimately, living sustainably is not about being perfect and having all your trash fit in a mason jar (if you can that is awesome and kudos to you!), but about lowering your environmental impact overall. Even if quitting plastic packaging is virtually impossible where you live, there are so many other ways to reduce your environmental impact.
Remember to keep being conscious in every aspect of your life and what you do. This includes what you’re eating, where it came from, how things like your clothes and furniture were made, and all of that jazz. I think you get the idea.
For more information on how to get started on a zero-waste lifestyle, sign up for my free guide down below!
Leave a comment below and let me know if there is an area where you’re struggling in reducing your waste. Let’s help each other!
Thank you so much for reading and as always,
Stay safe and be kind,
Farah 🌱
