Intentional Grocery Shopping for Beginners in 2024
- Alexis Crawford
- Dec 11, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 14, 2024
Sustainable Shopping
Shopping with intention is the first step towards reducing your environmental impact.
Being sustainable in stores has become more popular recently as certain stores started allowing customers to bring their bottles and don't have to keep purchasing materials that may or may not be recycled.
Using reusable containers has a huge impact on the environment. Not only are you saving raw materials from being stripped from the planet and being transported, but you're also reducing energy consumption and saving money.
Although there may or may not be zero waste stores in your vicinity, you can borrow practices to make it easier to shop in line with your green values while reducing your environmental impact.
Blog Contents
Of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in the U.S. in 2021, only 5% to 6% — or about two million tons — was recycled. - World Economic Forum
Bring bottles from home
On average we throw away many of the food containers that we buy to make room for the new ones that we throw away again.
By reusing containers you have you are cutting down on waste, think about reusing these containers:
Mason jars
Used cleaning bottles (glass cleaner, antibacterial spray)
Cleaned glass or plastic containers (mayo containers, any glass jars from pasta sauce or condiments)
When it comes to water..
Skip bottled water—tap water is more regulated than what you can find at the store, so stick with what you get at home. If you don’t like the taste of your water, investing in a filter is a great idea.
Consider buying 1, 3, or 5-gallon containers for your household or even a gallon water filter that sits in your fridge. *These will save you so much money if you do this instead of buying plastic water bottles
You can buy a temperature-controlled dispenser like this (this is the one my parents have) or a basic one for your fridge (this is the one I have) I have even seen one that goes atop of the 5-gallon container itself with a small dispenser here.
You can find places to fill your containers with either regular purified water or alkaline water whichever you prefer. If you are lucky and live near a spring or natural source of fresh water it would be even better to use that!
Bring reusable bags
Reusable bags are a staple when going to the grocery store or local market because it prevents the use of plastic bags that have limited reusability
Cloth bags
Hemp bags
Keep a few reusable shopping bags around: the backseat of your car, by the front door/ on the doorknob, in a backpack, or wherever else you may see it or remember it before going shopping
Choose paper over plastic
If you have to use plastic bags, they can be reused in other ways such as reusing them as a way to package and dispose of garbage that will also end up in a landfill, but better in the landfill than in waterways due to pollution
Be conscious of what materials you are buying
Ask yourself if you can use it more than once instead of throwing it in the trash and buying a new one every time
Finding alternative uses for glass and plastic containers that you use
Choose items in glass or metal packaging as they are easier to recycle. Cardboard creates less waste, too, as it is both recyclable and biodegradable.
Consider ecological issues when making a purchase
How long will this item last? Can I repair it, or will it just be thrown away? Is this made with recycled materials? Do I need it? How much of this will I actually use?
Short trips to the grocery store rather than one big weekly haul, so you only get what you need.
Look at your cart and see how many plastic items and unnecessary waste there and make one swap at a time
Ask yourself how can I reduce waste by 10% (this can be 1 out of every 10 items in your cart)
Go for produce that is not wrapped in plastic and/or pre-cut and packaged, instead go for loose fruits and veggies, and don't forget your reusable bag to carry them back
Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk may seem a little overwhelming at first when you look up to see massive containers with various treats and food items to choose from but think of the money you will save while saving our planet!
While buying in bulk may seem more expensive up front, long term you will be saving money by not having to repurchase a product along with its container.
By buying the product straight or more of the product at one time you will often be saving money by paying less per ounce. you can see the price per ounce or cost per item while shopping but if doing research beforehand you can use a calculator like this to find out how much you are saving per item.
Tips for buying in bulk
Think about the items that you use a lot and consider buying them in bulk
Become familiar with the bulk bins at grocery stores near you
Bring glass jars or reusable bags to fill with things like grains, beans, nuts, dried fruit, seasonings, cereals, seeds, snacks, and/or rice
Use what you already have for packaging and storing substances make sure they are well-sealed containers
Use everything that can you get out of your daily items
Learn how to store food in ways that last
Don't get more than you need, it can lead to unnecessary waste.
Avoid single-serve snacks buy larger quantities that you can separate into your own smaller reusable containers at home
Tare your containers first, and know how much the containers weigh before beforehand ask the cashier to tare/weigh the containers first and take the weight off the total amount
Label your items so that you know what is in the containers
Zero waste stores are an awesome way to reduce your environmental footprint. They stock zero waste items and you bring your containers, saving money and reducing the number of plastic bags, bottles, and other materials that end up in landfills. Farmers’ markets are also a great way to score produce that’s often free from packaging.
If you can't find one nearby, there are other ways you can shop for zero-waste items (or buy them online) and bring your containers when shopping elsewhere. Check out the rounds this is an option my roommate uses!
Every little thing counts
Don't focus on being perfect focus on changing the little things that you can
Thank you for taking the first step of reading this blog and getting educated!
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