Here are some suggestions to help you stay green at the grocery store:
· Take your reusable bags into the store! If you leave them in the car (or bike cart), make yourself carry everything or go back and get them. It will only take a couple of times of making these trips and you won’t forget those bags.
· Buy in bulk; it not only saves money but also the environment. Single-serving packages may be convenient for school lunches, but think about all the wasted packaging. Buy the larger portions and separate it out into the desired amounts. Instead of juice bags/boxes, buy juice concentrate, mix it, and put it into a stainless steel bottle. Buying the largest size available also works for personal hygiene and cleaning products. Examples include cleaning concentrates and liquid hand soap.
· Precycle. Check out the package before you buy to make sure it is easy to recycle. Manufacturers whose products keep getting passed up for those that package responsibly may be persuaded to change if their bottom line decreases.
· Buy products with “small packaging”. On the same thought as above, manufacturers use entirely too much packaging for some products. If we purchase products that use only the necessary amount of packaging, manufacturers will be forced to be smarter about how they package their products.
· Opt for long-lasting items. Buy products that last instead of those that are disposable like razors, batteries, napkins, paper towels, and cameras. (FYI: did you know that most families spend more than $260 per year on paper towels and napkins?)
· BUY LOCAL. This is so important. Not only is the food better but it also supports your local economy. It also decreases the transportation and preservatives needed to get food to your table.