I don’t know about you, but I find it very frustrating going to the grocery store and seeing SO MANY items that are packaged in plastic! Did you know that 70% of fruits and vegetables in Canada are stored in plastic containers or some form of plastic wrap? Items, such as bananas and coconuts, are now often placed in plastic bags or encased in cling-wrap. What’s the point in that? I don’t get it! Unfortunately, plastic exists everywhere in our environment. In this article, I will provide you with some tips & tricks for reducing plastic consumption while grocery shopping, as well as in your kitchen. I will also be actively reducing my own plastic consumption at the store and at home- it’s definitely an on-going challenge!
What tips can I use at the grocery store?
- Always bring your own reusable bags, bins, or boxes when going to the grocery store.
- Compare products when grocery shopping and select items that have the least or no plastic packaging. For example, if you’re purchasing pasta, look for pasta that’s stored in a box rather than a plastic bag. Additionally, if you’re buying something like dried spices, see if there’s a glass jar option rather than plastic baggies or plastic containers.
- In the produce section, try to find fruits that already have protective skins (e.g. watermelon, pineapple, oranges, squash, etc.) and that are not needlessly packaged in plastic. You can also bring your own reusable produce bags to avoid using the annoying plastic bags that many groceries stores still carry. I also tend to set items, such as peppers, directly into my cart and give them a really good wash when I get home.
- Buy in the bulk section when possible and bring your own containers to fill (e.g. rice, nuts, flour, etc.).
- If you’re a tea drinker, purchase loose-leaf tea rather than tea bags. Shockingly, many tea bags contain plastic and can leach billions of micro and nanoplastics into a single cup of tea. Yuck!
- Avoid purchasing drinks that come in plastic bottles (e.g. water, juice), especially when they come in packs. Instead, opt to make your own fruit juices or smoothies at home.
- Buy meat and fish from the Deli section to avoid the excess waste involved with pre-packaged foods. Better yet, visit your local butcher’s shop or fishmongers instead.
- Support your local Farmers’ Market if you have one close by. This is a great way to find fresh produce, cheeses, eggs, bread, and other goods, while limiting plastic packaging. I also like to bring back containers when permitted, such as egg cartons.
- Get involved with a local produce box program in your community. Many of these programs partner directly with local farmers and deliver fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables to your home. Sometimes, eggs, bread, and baking are also included. Generally, an individual or family can select the box size, and have it delivered either weekly or bi-weekly. Additionally, some programs are customizable to your liking.
- Attempt growing your own fruits and vegetables. Do you have a ‘green thumb’ and the space to grow food? Why not try it?! This certainly is one way to avoid plastic waste 😉
What tips can I use in my kitchen?
- Switch from clingwrap to beeswax wraps to cover your foods.
- Purchase glass, stainless steel, or ceramic mixing bowls instead of plastic.
- Use glass or metal containers to store food. Mason jars can especially come in handy!
- Purchase bamboo or FSC certified (Forest Stewardship Council- ensure wood comes from sustainably managed forests) wood cutting boards. Both types of material are naturally antimicrobial.
- Choose reusable straws instead of plastic.
- Buy bamboo or FSC certified cooking utensils.
- Ditch synthetic sponges that leach microplastics into the water, and opt for organic cotton or linen dishcloths.
- Use refillable dish soaps rather than purchasing a new plastic bottle every time that you run out. Below, I will add two links for refillable dish soaps that are made in Canada.
- Avoid Teflon frying pans (they contain plastic polymer), and switch to either cast iron or carbon steel pans.
- Instead of using zip-lock bags, select reusable bags, beeswax wraps, or glass containers.
Sources
Garbage-less Groceries: Reducing single-use plastic produce bags in Toronto supermarkets. U of T Trash Team. Garbage-less Groceries: Reducing single-use plastic produce bags in Toronto supermarkets – U of T Trash Team
How to reduce plastic waste and pollution in your everyday life. Government of Canada. How to reduce plastic waste and pollution in your everyday life – Canada.ca
Navetta, Ari. Reduce plastic waste at home- for the planet’s health and ours. Center for Science in the Public Interest. Oct 30, 2023. Reduce plastic use at home—for the planet’s health and ours
Still Left Holding the Bag: Plastic Packaging in Canada’s Grocery Stores, 2 Years Later. Environmental Defence. Still Left Holding the Bag – Environmental Defence
