How to Grocery Shop Green

In today's modern world it seems everything we buy comes to us over packaged for our convenience. This is far from convenient for us though. We end up with an abundance of trash from packaging that can't be recycled and recycle bins that overflow in a week's time. Here are a few tips to buy without all of the packaging.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Re-useable containers
• Cloth Shopping Bags

1. Meat-Most larger supermarkets have a butcher's shop. Purchasing meat here you will get the meat wrapped in white butchers paper thus eliminating the styrofoam tray and plastic wrap. The same can be done in the seafood department rather than purchasing pre-packed fish and seafood.

2. Pasta, Rice, Flour, Oatmeal, Cereals and Beans-Try shopping at a local natural food store or co-op. Our local stores offer these products in large serve yourself bins and offer you the option of bringing your own reusable containers or placing the items in recyclable paper bags. If using your own containers, weigh the container prior to filling, fill container, weigh it again and write down the weight after deducting the empty weight.

3. Spices-Also found at natural food stores and co-ops in bins. I purchased clear stacking containers with a snap on lid. I created labels for each one and they stack neatly in the cupboard where at a glance I can quickly identify the contents. Follow the same weighing procedure as above.

4. Eggs-I purchase them from a local woman with a small flock of chickens. Each week I take her the previous week's two empty egg cartons and for $1 each leave with two full ones. I've saved money and the cartons will be reused time and again as she refills them for others. Not to mention the eggs are far fresher than what I purchase in the market.

5. Purchase enough cloth shopping bags for your weekly shopping. These can be purchased at many larger supermarkets for $1. This will reduce the use or paper and plastic bags, and, they can hold more weight, have nice handles to grip and won't rip or tear spilling your groceries in the parking lot or on your walkway. Some markets even deduct 2-3 cents per bag used each shopping trip which will over time reduce your cost of purchasing them.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact your local markets to determine if they offer items in bulk and allow you to use refillable containers.
• Food scraps-Create a compost pile in your yard to place all of your food scraps in. Composted materials add nutrients to your garden and flower bed and you have now kept these items from becoming trash at your local landfill.
• If you will be using the same refillable containers each shopping trip write the empty weight on the the container with a permanent marker. This will save you time on your next shopping trip.
• Shopping at local natural food markets and co-ops can be more costly or require a membership fee. Always check with customer service prior to shopping there.
• Shopping green will require more time. You have to allow time for a butcher to wrap your purchases and for yourself to fill containers and to weigh the items.

[lighthouse1958]

on 9/21/2009 Thanks for reminding me to shop green. 5*

[sonni57]

on 3/30/2009 Good suggestions on how to grocery shop green. This is helpful info.

[DoctorSnot]

on 3/29/2009 Great eco friendly green shopping tips! 5 Stars!

[LilacGirl]

on 2/27/2009 Good advice and tips for saving money and going green when you're buying groceries.

[mustafa115]

on 2/15/2009 This is so important - I hope people will strive to go green. Thanks! 5*