Tips to Reduce Waste at the Grocery Store

The majority of us are constantly seeking for methods to reduce waste, and it all starts with the products we purchase at the store. Because the things we buy generate a lot of packaging waste, it's critical that customers take responsibility.

Nonetheless, by making a few changes, we can all reduce grocery store waste, including food, packaging, and plastic bags.

Here are a few easy ways to cut down on the waste generated while exploring each shelf.

Take Inventory

Buying only what you require is one of the first steps toward reducing grocery shop waste. Take inventory of your pantry, refrigerator, and cabinets before going to the store to see what you've run out of and what you still need to utilize. Giving oneself this direction can help you avoid sections where you don't need to be.

Reusable Bags

When it comes to grocery shopping, one of the simplest things to reduce is plastic bag waste. Instead than using plastic produce bags, bring your own reusable options. Bring reusable bags to pack your groceries in so you don't have to use plastic bags at the shop.

If not, invest in reusable shopping bags. Purchase canvas shopping bags if possible. After each shopping trip, toss them in the washing machine to ensure they're clean. Sanitizing insulated grocery bags with a disinfectant like bleach and water then wipe them and dry with a dishcloth.

You can save a lot of trash from ending up in a landfill by adopting these small adjustments.

Reusable Mesh Produce Bags

Rather than keeping your produce in the plastic bags provided by the store, invest in a set of reusable mesh produce bags. Place your vegetables in these bags when you go to the store. These bags are machine washable after you’re done using the vegetables and fruits in the bag. Toss them in the washing machine to get them clean and ready for your next shopping excursion.

Buy Bulk Items

Whole Foods, for example, sells everything from rice to beans to dried fruits in bulk all year. This allows customers to buy only what they need rather than a full prepackaged bag of a new ingredient, also some newer grocery shops are selling more bulk items like spices, which allow you to fill up your own jars and containers with.

Plastic Crates

While the ultimate goal is to limit the usage of plastic, getting plastic milk crates and keeping them in your trunk may be useful. They'll last a long time and can hold all of your groceries. Place them in the cart, fill them up as you shop, then have the groceries transferred to the crates at the cash register.

After a shopping outing, wash the plastic crate with soap and hot water. Allow it to dry in the sun so that any bacteria that remains will be destroyed by the UV rays.

Avoid Plastic Whenever You Can

When you see a food item wrapped in plastic, it's likely that there's a cardboard or glass version available of the similar item. Rather than purchasing olive oil in a plastic bottle, go for a glass bottle.

Similarly, instead of buying a bag of mixed greens, go for the unpackaged type and place it in your reusable produce bag. It may take a little more effort to prepare, but it will result in less waste than purchasing a bag that you will surely throw.

Buy Local

Locally made food and produce are widely available at supermarkets. Foods grown locally have a much lower carbon footprint than those delivered from other states or countries. Because it takes less time to get food from farm to store, buying local could mean your food is much fresher than its shipping equivalents.