More and more grocery stores are implementing bulk sections, which is fantastic for those of us who wish to eliminate food packaging. The bulk sections are usually comprised of a few aisles of items like flour, sugar, spices, nuts, cereals, grains, and candy that are completely package-free. A lot of stores even have bulk peanut butter, honey, oils, soaps, shampoos, laundry detergents, and cleaners. The trick? Bring your own containers. I use my cloth cinch bags for the dry foods and use mason jars or bottles for the wet. There are two ways to ensure you are not paying for the weight of your containers. Either utilize the TARE option on the scale in the bulk aisle or write the weight of the container while it is empty, including the lid, onto the container for the cashier to deduct at checkout. Always check with customer service before doing this. I’ve never had a problem so far. When I go thru check out, my bags and jars always strike up wonderful conversations with other customers or the cashier. You’d be surprised the number of people who are truly interested in lessening the amount of waste they produce. Once I get my loose goods home, I transfer them into jars that I keep in my pantry.
If you’re interested to know more about how to shop the bulk sections, check out my post (5 Steps to Zero Waste Bulk Shopping)! Also, check out my article, How to Locate Bulk Stores.
Now, I know a lot of you will not have access to every product you buy in bulk and that is fine. Opt for items in paper packaging over plastic so you can recycle or compost the paper later. Also, don’t hesitate to call your stores to inquire about them getting bulk options. The stores have to cater to the consumer, you know. 😉 Just remember, even a few baby steps go a long way!
Day 8: Bring Your Own Utensils
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