How to Go Green at the Supermarket
As people begin to fully realize the environmental impact of factory farming and the transportation of food over long distances, they are beginning to rethink how they shop for food. The Natural Resources Defense Council points out that in the case of factory farms, "...manure and urine are funneled into massive waste lagoons. These cesspools often break, leak or overflow, sending dangerous microbes, nitrate pollution and drug-resistant bacteria into water supplies." This is only one example of how Americans' eating habits harm the environment and our own health. The choices you make at the supermarket not only will affect the environment in a positive way, but very well may affect your own health.
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Instructions
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Going Green
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Buy food that is produced locally whenever possible. Food that has been shipped long distances contributes to greenhouse gases, due to the fuel used during shipment. According to an article in the New York Times, fish that is caught in Norway is then shipped to China to be processed into filets, and shipped back to Norway, where it is sold. Locally produced foods are often labeled as being produced in a nearby community, as supermarkets become increasingly aware that many people are becoming interested in buying local foods. You can often find produce, cheese and preserves that are manufactured locally.
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Avoid buying meat, or buy less meat than usual. According to a World Watch report, livestock farming is responsible for 51 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. This means that the demand for meat is creating more harmful emissions than cars. If you choose to eat meat, look for local sources that have been raised in an environmentally responsible way.
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Buy dairy and eggs from small local sources. Some small brands may be carried by your supermarket, while others will not be available there. Many of the dairy and egg producers are part of the livestock farming industry, and create the same environmental problems. Buy dairy from microfarms that have sound ecological practices. Artisan cheeses often are produced by such farms.
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Say no to bottled water. The manufacturing of bottles for bottled water uses an astonishing amount of oil---17 million barrels, to be exact. Not only are the bottles problematic when being produced, but are also of concern when being disposed of. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, only 10 percent of water bottles end up being recycled. The remainder takes up space in landfills and will take several generations to decompose.
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Buy food in bulk when it is available, and avoid buying foods that have excess packaging. A package of spaghetti is a greener choice than individual servings of ravioli in a can.
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Bring your own bags. Supermarkets are encouraging this practice by selling sturdy plastic or cloth grocery bags. Of course, the supermarket's motive may well be economical, not environmental. Nevertheless, it is now considered to be an acceptable practice to bring your own shopping bags to the supermarket, and you won't be using one of the billions of plastic bags that consumers throw away every year.
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