Depending on where you live on the planet, shopping at the supermarket can be a very different experience. Since moving to Ireland I've definitely noticed that it's a lot harder here to buy unpackaged food than it would be in Canada. There are some zero waste shops but the truth is I can't afford to buy everything organic, and they're also pretty fr out of my way. So I still shop at a conventional supermarket. Could I go one step further to avoid waste? Probably. But over time I've definitely developed little tricks to avoid creating more waste than necessary with my food shopping. Although let's be honest, it's still my main source of trash. Still though, I figured these tips might be worth sharing for those of you out there in the same situation as me. So here it goes:
1. BUY LOOSE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
This is the main topic where things are so much easier in Canada. I can't believe how packaged fruit & veg are here in Ireland, and the loose versions are often more expensive!! Still, change is happening slowly but surely and more and more supermarkets are starting to offer unpacked food for the same price as the packaged one. So when in doubt this is a great place to start. For me, it can be as simple as changing the kind of potatoes I was going to buy for the one that is sold without packaging. It all depends on personal choices, but when I can compromise, I do.
2. STICK TO PASTA PACKAGED IN BOXES
Again, the availability of this option depends on where you live. Usually pasta is packaged in either plastic bags or boxes. It can be quite hard to find boxes that don't have the little plastic window, but even that is better. In Ireland most pasta comes just in plastic bags which is a little annoying. One option that does come in a box is lasagne sheets! So hey, let's adapt and this week I'm making a lasagne as my meal prep.
3. AVOID INDIVIDUAL PORTIONS OF ANYTHING
I used to be such a fan of individual yogurts. Like you have no idea how much. These are probably some of the least sustainable options in the supermarket though. Most of the time their plastic isn't even recyclable. This tip is also valid for people on a budget : buy bigger! Bigger sizes are always cheaper in perspective, and will reduce your amount of waste. This is true for anything you're buying, the bigger portion the better.
4. IF GIVEN THE CHOICE, ALWAYS BUY IN GLASS CONTAINERS
Glass is widely accepted and recyclable an infinite amount of times which makes it a material of choice for containers. A lot of products like passata come in multiple packaging options : glass jars, tetra-paks or plastic. When faced with multiple options, glass should always be prioritized. It's an easy and accessible alternative that usually doesn't cause the price of the product to jump up.
5. OR BUY CANNED PRODUCTS
As with glass, aluminum is widely and easily recycled. Canned alternatives aren't as common as glass ones, but still very common. Let's say you want to buy a pre-made soup, there are usually options both in cans and in tetra-paks which might make your decision easier. Canned goods are usually non perishable as well, so you minimize your chances of wasting food at the same time!
6. CHOOSE THE PAPER BAG INSTEAD OF THE PLASTIC BAG
In a perfect world we all carry around a reusable bag at all times, and I do most of the times! But there's always some sneaky moments where surely you weren't gonna need one... and then you do. In those occasions if the store you're in has paper bags, go for them. It's a better and safer alternative to the plastic ones, and I reuse mine to put out my recycling. Ireland is actually pretty great on that front, as most stores offer paper bags instead of plastic!
7. AVOID PLASTIC
Duh. I mean this is an obvious one, but I still wanted to include it in the list. One very easy plastic free swaps to make is choosing eggs packaged in cardboard instead of the ones in plastic packaging. A lot of the other tips tie into this one but hey it deserves a point.
BONUS : DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP
We're all human and no one is perfect. The change towards a greener and low waste lifestyle is a journey that everyone needs to take at their own pace. All we can do is our best, and if you want a pack of crisps (which come in non recyclable packaging), have a pack of crisps. Unfortunately there isn't always a perfect green solution so until that happens, stick to accessible alternatives and do your best. You can always volunteer for clean ups and be an advocate for the low waste movement!
3 comments
Loved this post! I have searched and searched for a zero waste supermarket near me but unfortunately there just isn’t one at the moment! And I always feel guilty about things like crisps when buying from conventional supermarkets! We just have to do what we can 🙂
Yes exactly! It’s the same for me, to go to the zero waste shop I’d have to take a 20 min bus instead of walking 5 min to my local supermarket… sometimes you have to be realistic 🙂
We use these small cotton bags for produce instead of the plastic bags that they provide at the supermarket. Being able to buy veg loose here in Vancouver is amazing (we’re originally from Dublin so used to plastic everywhere), but putting them in a plastic bag would defeat the purpose, so the cotton ones have been working great!