Zero Waste.

It sounds intimidating I know...but before you know it, you could be making an impact not just on the environment, but on your health, and your bank account.

First start by realizing zero doesn’t mean zero. No one can go without creating any type of waste. Understand that even choosing only certain aspects of your life to be zero waste can benefit you and the environment.

I hope to turn this into a little series, in this edition I would like to focus on food.

From even just a little bit of research, the most popular aspect people seem to focus on is trips to the grocery store. Many of you probably have reusable bags, which is a great start to going zero waste - if you don’t, get some, they’re relatively cheap, very environmentally friendly and a lot stronger than the classic plastic bag! You can even use them when you shop for items at other stores.

In addition to helping to chip away at the 258 million tons of trash that Americans produce every year...The first place you’ll probably feel it is in your wallet: Kellogg estimates that she saved about $12,000 over two and a half years by no longer buying single use products, like paper napkins and aluminum foil, and packaged convenience food.

Small Steps to Zero Waste

• Use reusable grocery bags when you shop. You can purchase, fold-able, washable canvas bags to use on a daily basis for all shopping in addition to mesh bags for produce.
• When possible shop at a farmer's market or buy local. This isn't realistic for people in certain regions, so go to the market when you can, in addition to trying to purchase local food when it is available.
• Purchase reusable containers for bulk food items. Mason jars, swing-top glass bottles, plastic-pop containers or any container you can clean out and reuse
• Shop at stores that sell food in bulk and accept reusable containers. Not every city will have a store where this is possible. Find a store near you and purchase more food at a time, less trips to the grocery store and more time to do other things.
• Purchase a lunchbox and reusable containers for to-go meals, whether that's for school or work

Links For More Information

Tips to Zero Waste

https://www.litterless.com/go-litterless/
https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/home/how-to-produce-less-trash/slide/1

Bulk Food

How to Put Together a Bulk Grocery Shopping Kit http://zerowastememoirs.com/baby-step-6-bulk-grocery-shopping-kit/
How to Shop the Bulk Aisle: https://www.litterless.com/journal/howtobulkaisle

Bulk Food Stores

Unverpackt Kiel in Kiel, Germany: https://wastelandrebel.com/en/the-first-zero-waste-bulk-store-in-germany-unverpackt-kiel/
Fresh Thyme (Several Locations): https://www.freshthyme.com/departments/bulk-foods/
Green on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada: https://wastelandrebel.com/en/zero-waste-bulk-store-green-on-salt-spring-island-bc-canada/
GOODsONLY in Zutphen, Netherlands: https://wastelandrebel.com/en/a-zero-waste-bulk-store-goodsonly-in-zutphen-holland/

Videos

Zero Waste Grocery Shopping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dortUnKnQ28
Grocery Shopping: Zero Waste Living!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUB9LFylWxY
My Grocery Shopping Routine: Plastic Free & Bulk Foods: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IixtoAjdaLU
Zero Waste Grocery Shopping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUB9LFylWxY

Remember just a few steps can make a huge difference!

Thanks for reading :)