Zero Waste – Cutting Back on Consumption

The best way of reducing your trash (besides buying less) is to purchase items with the least amount of packaging or with recyclable packaging. Another way is to shop at stores that use refillable containers or that sell loose items. It can take time to shop for the least wasteful package, but you will definitely see a difference in the amount of garbage that you throw away.

Here are some more tips to reduce waste when shopping for groceries, which is where most of your trash comes from.

Buy fresh foods that are not prepackaged. You can place fresh fruits and vegetables into your cart without using the plastic bags. Or you can reuse your old plastic bags.

Do not buy individually packaged items. For instance, you could buy a large container of juice and put it in a thermos, rather than buy individual juice containers.

Look for items in glass and recyclable containers instead of plastic ones. The general rule is to avoid any containers that are plastic and cannot be recycled.

Avoid aerosol cans because they can’t be recycled. If you can you should purchase items in pump action bottles instead of aerosol cans.

Bring your own shopping basket, canvas bags or reuse plastic bags when you shop. If you forget your own bags you should always choose paper over plastic. Paper bags can be composted, reused or recycled. But always try to remember to bring your own bags.

You can also take your attack on product packaging one step further. You can send manufacturers telling them you won’t be buying their products anymore until they use less packaging or use recyclable packaging. Manufacturers will get the message if sales drop.

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