What does "zero waste" mean?
Basically, zero waste means exactly what it sounds like. When grocery shopping, zero waste advocates only buy food in a recyclable or reusable container and usually avoid plastic altogether. This means when going for a morning coffee run, they bring a travel mug instead of using a paper cup. Any food scraps get put in the compost instead of the trash. They also make a lot of products that most Americans buy such as toothpaste, laundry detergent, and deodorant.
This means saying goodbye to the convenience of individually wrapped granola bars and hello to a lot more planning.
Why would anyone put this much effort into grocery shopping?
Because in the world today, we have designed plastic to last forever, and mass produced it for single-use functions such as plastic silverware, plastic bags, and plastic straws. The zero waste movement is drawing awareness to how much our trash is affecting the environment. Plastic is not something we need, but it is something most people can't picture their lives without. This post will show you what all you need to complete your first zero waste shopping trip!
1. Stock up on reusable bags.
I have 3 large tote bags, 3 medium produce bags, and 3 small bags that I take on my weekly shopping trip. Instead of buying produce wrapped in plastic I put it right into my produce bags or straight into the cart. This option saves money in the long run. Whole carrots are cheaper than plastic wrapped baby carrots. Whole pieces of fruit are cheaper than chopped fruit in a plastic container, and heads of lettuce are cheaper than pre-washed, pre-cut lettuce. These bags aren't the cheapest items on the market, but you will be able to use them forever, so think of it as an investment. I got all 6 of my produce bags from natural grocers. The large ones were 3.99 each and I got a bundle of the three small ones for 8.99. My bags even say the tare on the top so that the cashier can subtract the weight of the bag when they weigh your food. Whole Foods and some other grocery stores will take a certain amount of change off your grocery bill for each bag you bring.
2. Learn the many uses of mason jars
I got my mason jars from various garage sales and natural grocers. I use these in the bulk bin section. Simply weigh the mason jar, write down the tare, and fill with your desired item. Select Dillons and Whole Foods have bulk bin sections stocked with different kinds of granola, seeds, nuts, oatmeal, flour, sugar, rice, beans, and more. Bulk items are also cheaper than pre-packaged, and mason jars seal tightly to keep food fresh. My favorite bulk item is peanut butter. Whole Foods has a grinder that makes nut butters right before your eyes! No added junk and the oil doesn't rise to the top like the natural nut-butter that are pre-packaged. Mason jars are also perfect to-go cups for coffee, smoothies, juices, or packing a lunch.
3. Don't limit your search to just one store
I usually go to Dillon's first, because they are overall a cheaper grocery store. Whatever I can't find zero-waste or plastic free there, I can usually find at Whole Foods or Natural Grocers. For example, Dillon's only carries individually packaged applesauce or a larger version in a plastic container. Whole Foods and Natural Grocers both sell applesauce in glass jars. Glass and metal can be recycled endlessly, but most plastic is only downcycled into lower grade material, so avoid it whenever you can!
4. Think outside the box
One item I can never find plastic-free is bread. But by visiting a local bakery I may be able to purchase loaves before they are packaged. The farmer's market is also a good option because there are no produce stickers on fruit or vegetables! My mom always got milk and eggs from an Amish farm that would take back the glass milk bottle and re-use or compost egg cartons. Frozen fruit is also a hard one, berry picking in the summer and freezing the excess is perfect if you have the freezer space. Getting together with friends to make your own pasta sauce, jelly, or pickles is always a way to make time-consuming preparation more fun!
5. Make a grocery list and meal schedule
This week was the first time Skyler and I went grocery shopping with a full meal plan in mind. On Sunday night, we prepped a bean mixture to eat with lettuce, avocado, and salsa in taco form for our lunches. We added some trail mix, pretzels, and fruit for snacks. Breakfast didn't require much planning, we had toast or smoothies depending on how we felt each morning. Our dinner menu consisted of vegan mac and cheese, chickpea loaf with mashed potatoes, and pancakes. Planning your meals lessens the chances of eating out, or not having the right ingredients.
Hopefully, some of these tips are easy enough to work into your weekly grocery shopping schedule. Anything we can do to reduce plastic and trash is a wonderful thing no matter how small!
