The Smart Recycler's Guide to Surviving Supermarkets
What to Buy
Buy reusable items instead of disposable. While reusables are on occasion inconvenient, they can save you considerable money in the long run. Try reusables such as:
- Cloth towels instead of paper ones, particularly for drying your hands.
- Lunch boxes or cloth bags instead of paper ones
- Cloth diapers (with or without service) instead of disposable diapers
- Glass food containers instead of plastics or solid plastics instead of plastic wraps or bags
Buy refillable items. As with reusables, items that can be refilled buy a (nearly) homemade item will save you much in cost because you are not paying for the shipping of water or other liquids. They will generally be fresher, and you can make as much as you need without waste. Try refillable such as:
- Powdered salad dressings
- Fruit drinks
- Peanut butter (bring your own jar)
Buy in bulk. Try to avoid items packed for “individual” portions. Generally, buying in larger-sized packages will save you money, provided that the items do not go to waste. Good items to buy in bulk are:
- Dry beans, rice, and pasta
- Meats (freeze in aluminum)
- Non-phosphate detergents and shampoos
- Pet food
Buy items that are packed in biodegradable or recyclable containers, especially those that use minimal packaging. Choose items that are:
- Paper over glass, tin, or plastics, unless you can refill or recycle
- Unlined by plastics
- Made of wood-based packaging, such as paperboard or cellophane.
- Made from recycled materials
- Pumpable, rather than aerosol. Aerosol cans are not recyclable, and a poor value for your dollar.
Getting Them Home
- Use what you already have. If you have plastic grocery bags at home, bring them back with you and fill them again.
- Ask for paper bags, not plastics
- Bring a cloth or mesh sack that you can use permanently. Keep these in your car or near your front door to help you start this good habit.
- Don’t use a bag if you are buying only 1 or 2 items.