To become a responsible shopper is the need of the hour. What we often neglect is zero-waste grocery shopping. These small little details matter and contribute a lot to making the world sustainable. We all know food packaging contributes to a large portion of waste. And grocery shopping is something we do every week. So just imagine the tonnes of waste it creates. So not just how you buy it but also what you buy has a major impact on our habits. So we have listed a few ideas on going for zero waste grocery shopping.
Prepare a shopping list-
One of the essential steps to reduce waste is preparing the grocery shopping list. Before you go shopping, analyze which items are missing in your kitchen and note it down. When you reach the store, purchase only those items which are missing. This way you won’t buy anything extra and will reduce the waste. You can plan your weekly meals ahead of the week and purchase those grocery items only. Don’t fall for Impulsive buying.
Carry a cloth bag along with you-
This is a very important step because here we eliminate single-use plastic if we carry our reusable cloth bags. Plastic bags or plastic bottles end up in landfills creating a mess as it does not decompose for many many years. The less plastic used, the better for the planet. Plus reusable tote cloth bags can be customized according to your preferences and it looks super cool.
Opt for produce without packaging-
Avoid the things that have plastic or extra plastic packaging on it. Buy fresh grocery which does not have plastic packaging on them. This way you will get fresh produce as well. You will be able to cut down on the trash. Usually, if you go to supermarkets, groceries are packed in plastic which is unnecessary. Instead, you can go to local suppliers who will give you fresh fruits and vegetables. Just wash the groceries, dry them with a towel and store it in airtight containers. This will help the groceries to stay fresh for a longer time.
Purchase more of plant-based foods-
Another great zero waste tip is to eat more plant-based foods. Avoid eating animal-based products like fish, meat, or beef. Plants usually take fewer resources to grow and are less processed as compared to animal products. Thus try shifting to a vegan diet which will give you more nutrients as well.
Buy seasonal produce-
It is best to eat fresh fruits and vegetables because that gives more health benefits to the body. So make a habit of purchasing and eating seasonal fruits and vegetables because they will be fresh and more beneficial.
Try buying from zero-waste stores-
Try shopping from local markets or zero waste stores because they sell the best fresh produce. They even encourage us to carry our reusable cloth bags instead of asking them for single-use plastic bags. You can even go to farmers’ markets and buy fresh groceries at a minimal cost and they do follow zero waste practices so that will inspire us even more.
Final Thoughts-
Don’t we want to live a life where we can breathe fresh air, see more greenery, eat healthily and drink fresh water? Only we can make it possible by changing our practices and habits. Nothing can change overnight but we should always start by taking baby steps. Similarly, these small habits mentioned above will help us to make a difference for the planet. If you start doing it, you will inspire your friends and family to adopt this lifestyle as well. So let’s take a pledge to make this world a sustainable place to live in.
If you liked the above article, visit GoodGuilt’s website. GoodGuilt features more such blogs and informative articles which talk about good guides, zero waste lifestyle, and sustainability. It explains to us the concept and the reason to live a sustainable life.
