Green Grocery Hacks
In this article:
Tips for Greener Grocery Runs
Our everyday shopping habits can have a big impact on the environment. Here are a few ‘hacks’ that I encourage you to adopt every time you go to the grocery store.
Paper or Plastic (or polystyrene)?
Eggs are packaged in all three. Which is the most eco-friendly? Well, if you are in an area that recycles all rigid plastics, you can purchase the plastic container without too much guilt. But when given a choice, go with the cardboard packaging. It is 100% recyclable no matter where you live. Even if the eggs are 50 cents cheaper in the polystyrene packaging, PLEASE don’t buy them! Polystyrene is a toxic, non-biodegradable, non-recyclable material that will end up in the landfill.
Super-size it
If you’re a regular yogurt eater, or even Gold Fish crackers for that matter, why not get the largest sized container? It’s the most cost effective and easier on the environment. A reusable container can help you ‘on the go’. All those individual serving sized packages are brutal on the planet. One, larger container creates less recyclable material to be processed.
Flushing Material
Please look for and become loyal to a toilet paper brand that is made from 100% post consumer recycled paper. Let’s not flush our forests down the toilet. As I say repeatedly in this blog – trees are our salvation. Oh, and this goes for paper towels and napkins as well.
The Produce Dilemma
Let’s get real, does that asparagus really need its own plastic bag? Odds are, you are going to rinse your produce before consuming. What’s with all the plastic produce bags? Some markets offer paper towels to wrap your lettuce in. I personally don’t use anything. Yep, all my limes and apples go willy-nilly on the belt. Who cares?! Ok, if naked fruits and veggies aren’t your style, pick up a pack of reusable produce bags. They can ride along to the store in your reusable shopping bags.
Sponge – it’s a cake!
Those brightly colored sponges in the grocery store are not natural. They’re plastic. And don’t get me started on the sponges that claim to be anti-bacterial – which contain
triclosan, a pesticide that is particularly harmful to aquatic life. Cellulose sponges, although a bit more pricey, are fairly easy to find. Made from wood fibers, they are biodegradable, but make sure that they don’t have a plastic, scrubbing back – which makes them landfill bound as well. Until recently (because of my guilt), the sponges in my sink look like they’ve been in service since the early 80’s. But no more! I’ve discovered completely biodegradable bamboo sponges. Just cut them up and throw them in the compost when they’ve run their coarse. And remember, to get the longest life from a sponge, regularly run them thru the dishwasher or microwave (2 mins. tops) to disinfect.
A few additional reminders:
Buy local and organic whenever possible
Shop your green market if available to you
Buy only what you need – no hoarding! That extra food is more likely to go to waste
Bring your own shopping bags