Food shopping can be really tough when trying to shop plastic free. Especially, in major supermarkets, not all of us are lucky enough to live near a zero-waste shop or have the budget for them. For this reason, a top tips list to shopping plastic free seems more than necessary.
8 Tips to Shopping Plastic Free
1. ​Use Your Own Shopping Bag
Although this may seem overly obvious too some, many are still resistant the idea of bring shopping bags with them every time they go shopping. It can be hard to remember to bring your own bag, especially if you are a fan of spontaneous shopping trips after work. They can also be really annoying to carry around especially if you don’t have a car and relay on walking, biking, and/or public transportation. This is why it is so important to buy reusable bags that work for you and your lifestyle. I personally love to use flexible cloth bags, as I struggle with all the issues I just listed. By using a bag that easily folds up, it can easily fit in all my bags making it much easier to always have on me. This way I am able to keep it in my everyday bag, that way I never forgot it, even when I wasn’t originally planning on shopping. Don’t be afraid to look outside the grocery store when looking for these bags, the one I use I got at Primark and I have a small collection of bags I have gotten for free from events or promotions.
2. Look Local
It can be really frustrating going to the fruit and veg section in major supermarkets and being overwhelmed with the amount of plastic. Although, it is possible to find certain produce not in packaging, it is best not to rely on major supermarkets for plastic free produce. Instead look local, find your nearest farmers market. Go check out your local tiny, hole in the wall market and you might be surprised by what you can find. Once you start keeping an eye out of plastic free produce, odds are you’ll be surprised how much you can find.
3. B.Y.O.C (Bring Your Own Container)
What do Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury and Waitrose have in common? They all allow customers to use their own containers at their meat, fish and cheese counters! Meat, fish and cheese is nearly impossible to find not in plastic in stores. This may seem like a semi-controversial tip as sometimes it can seem as if zero-waste and veganism go hand in hand. However, if you are not ready to change your whole diet just yet (like me) I don’t think this should deter you from trying to shop as plastic free as possible. So take advantage of buying meat unpackaged behind the counter (either in stores or local butchers).
4. Tin, Glass and Cardboard, Oh My!
5. Buy Bigger
When a non-plastic or packaging option is not available, and it is a product you are not willing or able to give up, it is best to buy in bulk. When you do have to buy in plastic it’s best to get the biggest size available. This will use a smaller about of plastic rather than frequently buying individually wrapped or smaller portioned items.
When possible choose items and brands that use tin, glass, or cardboard over plastic. Although, it is very easy to be tricked looking for cardboard packaging as many have a secret plastic film on the inside. It is a good idea to get in the habit of looking at the back of the box that should state if there is any non-recyclable plastic.
6. Stock Up (Within Reason)
In addition to buying in bulk at regular grocery stores, consider stocking up at your nearest bulk store. Bulk stores can be really great for buying dry pantry items that are normally only packaged to soft plastics. As bulk stores are hard to come by, chances are your nearest one is not that nearby. So if you do shop at one maybe try to buy larger quantities to avoid frequent, inconvenient trips. If you are not sure if you have a zero waste store near you, try using https://www.zerowastenear.me
7. Grow Herbs
This is kind of a long term tip, but it can be really hard to buy fresh herbs plastic free in major supermarkets. If you use a lot of fresh herbs in cooking, it makes more sense to just grow your own and don’t worry you don’t have to have a massive herb garden. Have a few potted plants, of herbs you use the most, in the kitchen and you’ll be able to harvest them all year round. While waiting for your herbs to grow, refer back to tip number two when looking to buy plastic free.
8. Bake Bread
I have read a lot of advice that recommends using the bakery section in supermarkets to find plastic free bread. Which, is a good idea if your bakery section has packaged free loaves available, however in my personal experience I have found this is not often the case. Fresh baked bread still tends to come in plastic bags and can be pricey. This is why I would recommend just trying to make own bread, which is actually super easy and affordable, and taste incredible. The recipe I like only uses four ingredients, all of which I have been able to find with very minimal plastic. Find out how to make it on the recipe page.