I don’t want to assume that you’re doing it wrong, but we could all use some pointers. Especially while living through a pandemic, it has been challenging to live as waste free as we would like. With a little effort and preparation, we can successfully make low waste grocery shopping a thing again! So without further ado, here are my best low-waste shopping tips that help better the environment:

1. Avoid Plastic. Gosh, I can already feel that I’m coming on strong and judgmental to start with. Hear me out. Let me first say that it is entirely impossible to be 100% waste free. It’s just impossible. It is ideal, but just plain not possible. So with that said, I give you the reminder to avoid plastic the best you can. Look for the same item in a paper or glass container or see if you can purchase it in bulk. Many foods and personal care items can be purchased in bulk which brings me to the next tip…

2. Buy Local. Refilleries and bulk stores are popping up in cities everywhere! You can even find bulk shopping options at your local chain grocer. If you’re looking for other options that you may not be aware of, check out this website to help you locate zero waste grocery stores near you. Don’t forget to check out local farmer’s markets! You can purchase produce and more straight from the farmer/butcher/maker. Local breweries and coffee shops have options to purchase drinks in bulk as well. Thank outside of the box!

3. Bring Reusables. Now that we’re shopping bulk and avoiding plastic, we need a place to store all those goodies. Use this list as a guide and you’ll be well on your way: reusable grocery bags, reusable produce bags, reusable bulk bags, up cycled glass containers, mason/canning jars, etc. You can find a lot of brand new options on our website (*nudge nudge*) or just use what you have! I know this is an unnecessary reminder, but make sure to skip the produce bags, even if they’re “compostable” (they still take resources to manufacture, so it’s not necessary to utilize them if we don’t NEED to). So many grubby hands have touched all of the produce already, so you’ll have to wash the produce when you get home anyway.

4. Shop when you aren’t hungry. Wow. I feel like I need to take my own advice. Overall, you’ll shop a lot more consciously when you aren’t ravenous so just make sure you feed your body before you make your trip to purchase more nourishment. Adhering to your intentions and your grocery list (this should be tip #4.5) will be much easier that way. Note to self.

5. Zero Waste Kit. Store your reusables in your car or on your coat rack or wherever you can remember to grab it before you head out. I keep reusable grocery bags in a drawer in the garage so I can grab some on my way out the door. I have another reusable bag filled with mason jars and up cycled spice jars so I can grab that if I’m headed out to a refillery or bulk store. And always bring a shopping list. Your shopping list will act as good accountability to keep your blinders on while shopping to just get what you need and nothing more (helping the planet and your pocketbook. You’re welcome).

6. Do the best you can. If you don’t follow these tips to a T, you’re still doing awesome. If you forget your reusables, don’t kick yourself. If you make a shopping trip when you’re so hungry you could eat a horse, it’s ok. The point is, we aren’t perfect and will never be. Shopping consciously, or at least having the skills to do so, is what is important. You are living your life and you are trying to do the best you can with the circumstances you’ve been given, and that is a wonderful thing! You go, being! You can do this and you are doing this! You live your eco-conscious life in whatever way works best for you! I support you and I think you’re doing great!

Zero seems like such an extreme, all or nothing. But zero is just the goal, whether or not it will ever be achieved. Zero waste living doesn’t need to be intimidating. Start with one room or area of your life at a time and take baby steps until you continue to see growth. You can do it! Here are some tips to help you move toward a more zero waste kitchen:

Cloth Napkins. If you’re using paper napkins or paper towel as a means to wipe your face during a meal, it’s time to make the swap. Cloth napkins come in all kinds of prints and textiles. Don’t limit yourself to whatever matches your decor! You’ll be using these napkins everyday, so have some fun with it! Shop our foodie cloth napkins!

Paperless Towels. Like cloth napkins, you can eliminate the need to constantly restock your pantry with paper towels and instead replace them with cloth. The options for paperless towels are limitless! Aside from any print imaginable, you can choose to store your paperless towels folded up in a drawer or basket or have snaps added to them so they can snap together and fit on your paper towel holder. How handy is that?! If you’re on a budget, you don’t need to spend beaucoup bucks on a custom set. You can just as easily achieve the same experience by tearing up old bath towels or t-shirts to use to clean up messes in the kitchen. As long as it absorbs water, it should work as a paperless towel!

Reusable Snack and Sandwich Bags. There is too much unnecessary plastic waste on our planet, there’s no need to contribute more when you have the option to buy a reusable alternative! Reusable snack and sandwich bags can be found in fabric or silicone options and are meant to replace your plastic zip top bags. Silicone bags are best for long term storage, many times including freezer storage. Fabric reusable snack and sandwich bags are often lined with a food safe, water resistent or waterproof fabric like PUL or nylon. They can have a fold over closure, hook and loop, or zipper. Shop our reusable snack and sandwich bags in over 30 prints!

Bulk Food Storage. So many everyday products are offered in plastic and packaging that isn’t recyclable. More and more bulk and zero waste stores are popping up to help eliminate the need for so much unnecessary packaging. When shopping bulk, bring your own containers. You can bring glass jars (mason jars work wonderfully. Just remember to weigh the jar before you add product so you aren’t paying for the weight of your container) or fabric bulk bags. Storing your bulk ingredients in glass jars in your pantry makes it easier to find what you need and determine when you need to restock. At the very least, it makes for a beautiful pantry!

Wax Food Wraps. Plastic wrap (cling wrap) is another piece of plastic you can say good riddance to. With wax food wraps, you no longer have a need for plastic wrap. Wax wraps are most commonly made from beeswax, but can be found using candelilla wax as a vegan alternative. Wax food wraps are simply pieces of fabric coated with a solution of natural ingredients to create a sticky and waterproof layer to easily wrap your food or cover your bowls or plates. To clean, use a mild dish soap and cool water to wash off food particles (warm water will heat up and remove the wax coating). Easy peasy! Shop our beeswax wraps or sign up for one of our monthly Virtual Beeswax Wrap Workshops!