Shop zero-waste and spare the planet… and your wallet!

Published by Marie Daffe on November 25, 2016November 25, 2016

[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-right”]November 25th, 2016[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-justify”]We have in a previous post spoken about zero-waste stores and how they are committed to reduce waste. We are now going to discuss the many advantages of a zero-waste shop, which are going far beyond the size reduction of our trashcans.

Of course, some may object that our individual actions are totally useless compared to big companies’ pollution. They would probably be right. But think about this: if we all start to refuse overwrapped products from supermarkets, what do you think would happen? Supermarkets would stop selling them. This is how business works. When customers wish for something, supermarkets adapt their offer. This is for example why they have recently started to be interested in selling organic food.

“Mighty oaks from little acorns grow”, so let’s have a look at the advantages of turning zero-waste.

Advantages
LESS TRASH – The first advantage is obviously the lowering amount of trash produced. Zero-waste shopping means saving money on buying bin bags and on paying taxes (most places charge a basic fee plus another based on the amount of waste produced). It also means less effort and hassle to get the bin outside!

LESS RESOURCES – Not only does packaging demand a lot of resources and energy – not always renewable – to be manufactured, but the same effort will be required at the end of their lifetime, usually short. It concerns all materials, but especially plastic. Remember that plastic is made out of oil and oil will not be forever available. Moreover, most of the packaging will not be recycled but will go directly to the landfill or the incinerator. Reducing waste makes consequently sense in an environmental preservation perspective.

HEALTH BENEFIT – We have already briefly spoken about the impact of the packaging on health. Plastics may contain toxic substances like bisphenol A or phthalates that tend to migrate in foods, especially when they are heated. But they are not the only ones. Papers and cardboards are also suspected to be toxic because of the inks used in their making. Avoiding packaging may thus preserve your health.

RIGHT QUANTITY – Buying bulk food means that you can choose the exact quantity you wish. No need to buy oversized items anymore. This is especially significant if you live alone and are used to buying big portions because it is cheaper. Big packaging that usually ends up in the garbage because they perish before you have time to finish them. To such an extent that today, FAO has measured that “one-third of all food produced for human consumption in the world is lost or wasted”. So here again, money saving and environmental action.

MONEY – If you are still not convinced after all these arguments, what do you say about this: between 15 and 40% of the price of a product goes to packaging and marketing costs. Bea Johnson – the internationally acclaimed zero-waste living guru – claims that this lifestyle has allowed her to make 40% savings.

How to shop zero-waste without bulk stores?
“How can I turn zero waste if I don’t have bulk store in my city/ country?” is a question that comes up regularly, in Ireland and elsewhere. Well, it won’t certainly be possible to be completely zero-waste, but here are some simple actions you should think about while shopping:[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” class=”cs-ta-justify” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_icon_list][cs_icon_list_item title=”When you buy fruit/ vegetables/ bread/ pastries, do not select the ones under plastic. Buy or sew your own cloth bags and reuse them endlessly. You can usually find more easily loose fruits & vegetables in small groceries than in supermarkets.” type=”circle” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]When you buy fruit/ vegetables/ bread/ pastries, do not select the ones under plastic. Buy or sew your own cloth bags and reuse them endlessly. You can usually find more easily loose fruits & vegetables in small groceries than in supermarkets.[/cs_icon_list_item][cs_icon_list_item title=”Forget about plastic bottles. Instead, go for flask when on the way and returnable glass bottles for water and milk if possible.” type=”circle” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]Forget about plastic bottles. Instead, go for flask when on the way and returnable glass bottles for water and milk if possible.[/cs_icon_list_item][cs_icon_list_item title=”Buy loose tea instead of tea bags. Packaging-free AND better for your health, as bags may contain traces of pesticides.” type=”circle” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]Buy loose tea instead of tea bags. Packaging-free AND better for your health, as bags may contain traces of pesticides.[/cs_icon_list_item][cs_icon_list_item title=”Concerning meats, delicatessen & cheese, ask at the counter to be served directly in your own containers, preferably in glass. You might be surprised by the positive reaction of the seller.” type=”circle” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]Concerning meats, delicatessen & cheese, ask at the counter to be served directly in your own containers, preferably in glass. You might be surprised by the positive reaction of the seller.[/cs_icon_list_item][cs_icon_list_item title=”For all others items, remember this simple rule: avoid plastic as much as possible. Instead, choose paper, craft, metal or glass packaging. They are way more recyclable – especially glass which is indefinitely recyclable – and better for your health, as they do not contain toxic substances like phthalates and bisphenol A as plastic may do.” type=”circle” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]For all others items, remember this simple rule: avoid plastic as much as possible. Instead, choose paper, craft, metal or glass packaging. They are way more recyclable – especially glass which is indefinitely recyclable – and better for your health, as they do not contain toxic substances like phthalates and bisphenol A as plastic may do.[/cs_icon_list_item][/cs_icon_list][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-justify”]Of course, all of this will become easier the day zero-waste stores will open in Ireland, but in the meantime, there’s already a lot we can do to reduce our waste and make the planet a greener place to live.

Image: Original Unverpackt, a zero-waste store in Berlin. Credit: True Activist
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