8 Easy Ways to Green Your Grocery Routine, Today!
One of the coolest things about greening your grocery routine is that it’s not only great for the environment but it’s often better for your budget, and for your health!
It’s no secret that many amazing people are making the connection between how we live and how that impacts our lives, the environment, and our health.
What we spend money on, especially when it comes to the grocery store, is like voting for what we want to see more of. The companies responsible for stocking our stores follow the money. So, if we’re “voting” for (or spending money on) things that are healthier, come in less plastic packaging, and can be more easily recycled or reused, then we’re essentially taking a stand for being better stewards of this one and only planet called Earth.
If we can take small steps to lighten the environmental burden—reducing trash, non-compostables, things that sit in landfills, and items that float in our oceans—then that’s something!
I’m here to help you get started. Here are eight quick and easy ways to green your grocery routine, starting today!
1) Use Reusable Grocery & Produce Bags — One thing I always keep in the trunk of my car is a small bundle of reusable tote and produce bags. This way I never forget them at home! Say goodbye to that cabinet full of plastic bags, or the overstuffed paper bag that’s holding all of the other paper bags from previous grocery store runs. Once you get into the habit of using these handy reusables, you’ll never go back! It’s beyond easy and plus, you can find ones that best express you who are- enjoying your shopping experience maybe even more than before.
2) Grocery Prep for Fewer Trips to The Store — Save on car emissions by reducing the number of trips to the grocery store each month. This might mean doing some advanced meal planning or prepping so you don’t run out of things mid-week. Consolidate those trips to save on gas and time! Also, when possible, prioritize shopping closer to home. Another great way to save on gas and fuel emissions.
3) Meal Plan to Avoid Food Waste — There’s nothing worse than having to throw out once fresh fruits and veggies because they’ve gone bad before they were used. It’s not only a sad waste of food, but of money too! One of the best ways to avoid food waste is to prepare meals in advance. It might take some practice or getting used to, but once you’ve got the rhythm of it, it can actually be quite fun. Know what you need throughout the week or month so that it doesn’t go bad! Which leads us to the next tip…
4) Avoid Buying More Than You Need—One of the advantages to meal planning is knowing exactly how much of what you need. This of course, will also reduce potential food waste, and may save you money in the long run.
5) Buy Seasonal, Local, and Organic—Local, seasonal produce means that it isn’t being shipped from across the country to reach your nearby grocery store. This means fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and healthier food that isn’t treated to with chemicals to endure the journey to your local grocer. Sometimes when we think “organic” we think expensive. But, that’s not always the case! If something is local and seasonal, it may be priced just right! Get into the habit of keeping tabs on price fluctuation around seasonal foods. It might just surprise you!
6) Choose Stores That Care—Take a look at what your local grocer is doing to better serve the community and support local farmers. Do they offer donation benefits, feature local producers, have a system in place to support underprivileged folks in the community? If you’re in a position to choose who you give your money to, see which stores are doing the most to be responsible, helpful, and doing meaningful work locally.
7) Evaluate Produce Packaging—Prioritize items that are either not packaged, or use compostable or recyclable packaging, over those that come wrapped in plastic. Things like fresh fruits and veggies that can be purchased without plastic wrap. Or nuts, flours, and seasonings that can be purchased from the bulk section of the grocery store. Many stores allow you to bring your own, reusable jars and containers for things like freshly squeezed nut-butters, oats, candies, and pastas.
8) Stop Buying Single-Use Items/Bottled Water—One of the greatest threats to polluting our environment is single-use items. “At least 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year, and makeup 80% of all marine debris, from surface waters to deep-sea sediments.” (source) Bottled water is a perfect example of this! Whether it’s single serving bottles or gallon jugs, we’re talking massive contributions to the “Garbage Patch” in the ocean. Perhaps you can make a plan to slowly build your Ball Jar collection, for storing smoothies, juices, seasonings, beans, rice, and other items you can start buying in bulk at the grocery store. Also, if your tap water isn’t clean enough to drink, consider investing in a filtration system so you don’t have to buy bottled water anymore.
No matter where you begin, don’t let this list intimidate you.
Start small, start with what feels reasonable and easy to do. Make it a goal to work your way through this list, or look for other meaningful ways to green your grocery routine that are exciting and doable for you in the near future.
You got this!
