As you may know, plastic waste is a real problem especially when it’s thrown in the oceans. Fortunately, some quite simple solutions exist that can enable you to reduce your trash.
Today, I want to talk about buying unpackaged products. Indeed, when I asked myself what I could do to throw away less plastic, one of the first thing I thought about was eliminating single-use plastic wrapping.
So, how do you purchase unpackaged food?
First of all, you have to find a store with an unpackaged section. But do I really need to precise it? ;)
Then, when you go grocery shopping, don’t forget to bring with you reusable produce bags or the jars where you want to store the products you will be purchasing. I know, at the beginning you will probably forget to take them sometimes. But don’t give up! You just need some time to get used to this fabulous new way of buying!
Afterwards, you arrive to the store and see the huge variety of unpackaged food that you can buy: pasta, rice, almonds, different types of nuts, lentils, chickpea, kidney beans, etc., and the most important, often, some delicious biscuits or cookies!
So you fill your produce bags or your jars with the products you want. Be careful: if you choose to use jars, in most stores you will have to weigh them before filling them.
Then, you proceed to checkout. Did I precise, that it is often cheaper to buy unwrapped products because you don’t pay the packaging? (Another good reason to consider this new way of consuming!)
Finally, you’ve made a great gesture for the planet and you’ve probably saved some money!
And that’s it, you’ve just discovered the amazing world of unpackaged products!
Just some tips: for your organisation, if you use reusable produce bags, I suggest you to also buy glass boxes where you can store, the products you bought, at home. When the box is empty you’ll just have to go to the store and repurchase the same product using your reusable produce bag.
And, yes, it is that simple!
Of course, you won’t be able to buy only unpackaged food, especially if you eat meat or fish, but a small gesture is better than no gesture at all, isn’t it?
Here are two links of websites which sell reusable produce bags and other products to help you reduce your waste (a lot of other websites exist!):
Thank you for this very resourceful post and for your blog overall. I've always wanted to start reducing my plastic waste and do more for our environment but never knew how to properly start. Thank you for spreading awareness on this very important matter, keep going :)
Hello Lise,
As written previously on a post by Florence, congratulations for your blog which is rather successful! It is pleasant to browse, it is airy and the graphic charter corresponds well to the type of blog chosen!
The article is interesting and beyond the ecological and ethical aspect of recycling, it should be noted that the large glass jars in which are arranged seeds, legumes and starches, allow to obtain a rather successful decoration in his kitchen!
If the ecological reason is not enough to convince consumers, I hope that the aesthetic reason will succeed!
Raphaël
I love to read posts that promote a more conscious and sustainable lifestyle!
Unfortunately, stores where it is possible to buy in bulk are not accessible everywhere, but I hope that as the interest of people will grow, also more shops of this kind will be opened. With that being said, I also believe that a small step is still better than no step at all, so I hope that your post will reach and motivate somebody to start their journey for a more sustainable lifestyle!
Francesca