It’s 2021.
It’s time we make climate change a priority.
My all-time favorite environmentalist, David Attenborough, said it best when he said, “there is no question that climate change is happening; the only arguable point is what part humans are playing in it.”
I would be lying if I said that the task wasn’t daunting. We, as a society, are so stuck in our ways, and these ways are catastrophic for the environment. But at the same time, more people genuinely care about climate change than ever before and it feels like finally, we can make a real change.
In this blog, I am going to offer easy options to become more sustainable in your daily life while on a budget!
Let’s be honest with ourselves. The majority of us want to be sustainable, but we don’t do anything about it because it is too expensive. The truth is, it doesn’t have to be.
No matter how small, adopting sustainable practices can have a significant impact. So please stop thinking the problem is too big for any of us to do anything about it and start implementing some of these stress-free approaches into your life (the ones that work for you).
In this post, I’ll be focusing on one of my favorite activities…going to the grocery store! If you are anything like me, going for groceries is so exciting because what’s better than food? I’ll wait…Couldn’t think of anything? That’s what I thought.
Many of us are so ingrained in our grocery trip routine, that we neglect simple ways that we can be more sustainable without changing all that much.
Okay, let’s dive into the list.
1. Reusable shopping bags and produce bags
This one should be pretty obvious at this point, but I still see so many people at the grocery store that don’t bring their own bags. Not only will this reduce the plastic you use, but it will reduce the amount of plastic the grocery store uses as well (and ultimately purchases). Most grocery stores have reusable bags for sale for under $5. Otherwise, check out this washable one for $4 on Etsy and support local (don’t worry it’s free shipping)!
To further cut back on plastic, you can purchase produce bags to store fruits and veggies in at the store and when you get home. I got these for Christmas and love them. The 5-pack comes in a variety of sizes and is only $6. There really is no need for the wasteful plastic bags at the grocery store.
2. Shop seasonal produce
By shopping seasonal, you not only eliminate the damage caused by shipping food thousands of miles, but you get the health benefits from eating fresh and unprocessed fruits and veggies (trust me, it tastes way better). A lot of items that are in season come from local farms and that means your dollar goes directly to support them (and are usually less expensive)! Such a huge impact with an easy change. Check out this awesome national database where you can see what is in season where you live.
3. Skip out on meat once a week
Ah, the classic “go vegan!” plug. You can still eat meat, people! Eating a largely plant-based diet has an extremely positive impact on the health of our environment. But even cutting meat out of your diet for just one day can reduce your personal impact by 15%. Less water waste, less land use, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. And hey, who knows, you might end up liking the plant-based diet thing and choose to only eat meat once a week.
Don’t know where to start? Here’s a bomb recipe to try (don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone).
4. Make a grocery list!!
Seems obvious, but what’s the fun in having a list? (I promise it will still be fun). It is actually proven that consumers spend more and ultimately waste more food when they don’t have a grocery list. So make the list! Try to plan multiple meals that will use up the fruit and veggies you buy so you don’t waste any. Not only will this help you become a more sustainable shopper, but it will save you time and money. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
5. Switch up your grocery store
Grocery store choice is so important! Now I know not everyone has access to a local farmers’ market and even if you do, you probably can’t get everything you need there. Either way you’re still in luck because there are grocery stores that are dedicated to the sustainability movement that you can support! I’ll list of few of my favorites below:
Trader Joe’s — Ah, good ole TJ’s. Admittedly, one of my favorite places in the world. This is my go-to grocery store and I highly recommend it if you have one in your area. Trader Joe’s recently announced its plan to remove one million pounds of plastic packaging from its stores. On top of this, the store carries compostable produce bags, gets a lot of its produce locally, and has really impressive (and tasty) seasonal items that are constantly changing. Did I mention the prices are great too? Don’t forget to check out the wine…
Aldi — Most of you will have an Aldi store nearby. They are known for their cardboard boxes they give you instead of plastic bags. The company announced that by 2025, 100% of its packaging will be reusable, recyclable, or compostable. This store is not only a great option for sustainability purposes, but goes easy on the wallet too.
Kroger — Kroger is a massive supermarket chain that owns over 20 brands nationwide. I’ll drop a map here. In addition to committing to phase out single-use plastic bags by 2025, the grocery store is starting its Loop platform which allows shoppers to take advantage of a “closed loop” shopping system. Products on the platform are packaged in reusable containers and then shipped right to your home. Once used, the containers are picked up, cleaned, and refilled. What a concept!
Hopefully this list offers you a little hope and inspiration. Sustainability should not feel overwhelming. Even making small changes to your daily routines can have a huge impact. So, choose whichever tips work for you and start there!
See you next time.
Comments