Zero Waste Without a Bulk Food Store

With the zero waste movement gaining more and more traction worldwide, I often hear people say that they can’t live a zero waste lifestyle without access to a bulk food store. While a bulk food store is a key component to a completely zero waste lifestyle, you can still significantly reduce your waste while shopping at your regular supermarket.

People tend to back away from the phrase “zero waste” because it sounds so extreme and scary. Zero waste is the end goal, not the starting point! You can do this! There are plenty of steps you can take towards a zero waste kitchen without having a bulk food store. It’s about the journey, not the destination. Corny? Yes. But applicable? Also yes.

I came across a quote from a fellow zero waste blogger (check out her site here), Jaclyn McCosker:

Regardless of your income, your physical ability or your access to packaging-free options in your area, everybody can find their voice and be an advocate for responsible consumerism. […] only we as individuals know what our “doing our best” looks like. It’s our own standards we need to hold ourselves up against.

This really resonated with me. At the end of the day, you have to be able to face yourself and the environmental decisions you’ve made.

We as consumers have choices that we make every day. You vote in favor of the environment every time you make a plastic-free purchase. Those dollar bills are your ballot, so cast your vote carefully!

Without further ado, here are some ideas to help you go zero waste at the grocery store.

1. Choose alternatives to plastic packaging whenever possible.

Aluminum, glass or cardboard packaging are all better than plastic. I’ve switched to buying in glass for olive oil, peanut butter, maple syrup and mustard. Another plus to this is that you end up with a free glass jar for additional food storage once it’s used up.

2. Make instead of buy.

Lots of processed food can be made by hand instead. Something I recently started making is our own pizza. It’s fun, cheap and easy. I make a few pizzas at once, we have one for dinner, and then I cut the rest into slices and freeze it for an easy midnight snack.

You can also easily make soup in bulk and freeze it. Here’s my simple guide to freezing in glass. Maybe next taco night, set some extra time aside to make your own flour tortillas with your kids. It turns a regular meal into a family activity.

Swap store-bought naan bread out for homemade chapatis. Here’s my favorite chapati recipe. The possibilities are endless!

3. Buy in bulk.

In an ideal world (maybe not too far in the future!) we all have a bulk food store right around the corner. I’m not talking about Costco or Sam’s Club either, but an actual zero-waste bulk food store. Click here to see if you’re near one.

But if you’re like me, you just have access to a pretty standard grocery store. In that case, buy in bulk when you can. If you can buy a big bag of rice and store it in your pantry, do it. That’s a lot less packaging than repeatedly buying small bags of rice. And you’ll save money too!

4. Cut back on meat consumption.

Focusing on a more plant based diet helps the environment not only by reducing packaging at the grocery store, but even farther up the supply chain as well. Meat production is one of the main contributors of methane and greenhouse gases. Try replacing one or two meals a week with a vegetarian option instead. You’ll be surprised how easy it is!

5. Shop locally and seasonally.

Buy produce from your local farmers market. When you shop locally, you can often bypass plastic packaging altogether. In Japan most supermarkets have their produce already pre-bagged.

You can bypass this by seeing what local options are available. We’re lucky enough to have a farmer near us from whom we can buy directly. She noticed we always brought own bags and started offering to wrap produce in newspaper instead of single use bags!

6. Make your own spice mixes.

I’ve started buying bulk spices on Amazon, which saves a lot of packaging and money in our kitchen. I can then mix my own seasoning mixes too! Some easy ones to get you started could be Taco Seasoning, Cajun Seasoning, Pumpkin Pie Spice and Italian Seasoning.

7. Bring your own bags.

Lastly, I have to mention this one! What’s the use of all of your hard work and sustainable efforts if you get to the checkout line and realize you forgot your bags?!

I used to always have the best intentions to use reusable bags…but then would end up forgetting them at home. Now, I do a few simple things to help me remember.

I have a tiny little bag that folds up into a pouch that I keep in my purse. I can also clip it onto the baby carrier or slip it into my pocket if I’m not taking my purse with me.

Immediately after a grocery trip, I put the bags right next to the door. I’ll then take the bags back down to the car next time I leave, regardless of whether I’m going to the store or not.

I also keep extras in the trunk just in case. I recently learned the Japanese phrase for “I don’t need a bag.” (Fukuro iranai!) I still stumble over it, but hey–they get the idea.

Utilize these ideas and be the change!

Having a bulk food store or even a bulk food section in a store is ideal, but not necessary. There are plenty of small changes you can make to the way you shop that will have a ripple effect in society. Other shoppers, the cashier, and your friends will notice what you’re doing. Strike up a conversation with strangers, explain why you’re reducing your waste, and take pride in your small sustainable steps.

You’re well on your way to changing the world.