buy food in bulk
According to the EPA, packaging materials represent 30 percent of all consumer waste. Americans’ obsession with dieting has recently created a fad in portion-controlled packaging (the 100 calorie bag, the “snack size” container), which is good for our waistlines but bad for our environment since it’s just creating even more packaging that’s destined for our landfills.
Luckily, it’s easy to cut down on the waste by purchasing food is bulk. But we understand that there is some danger in that approach, too: buy a bunch of cookies in bulk and you may end up eating a bunch of cookies in bulk. The solution is to exert your own portion control as soon as you get home from the store. Just divide your snack food into individual portion sizes using reusable containers and baggies (plastic bags are totally reusable if you wash them). When you’re on the go you can just grab an individual packet from you cabinet and the bring the bag or container home afterwords.
Another great idea is to buy foods from the bulk bins at the store. You can find everything from cereals to nuts to candy in the bins. Lots of veggies can be purchased that way, too. Once you’re home, just transfer the food to reusable containers (tupperware, old glass peanut butter jars, plastic yougut containers) and recycle the plastic bags or save them for your next shopping trip.
Make take-out nights a waste-free event by asking restaurants to hold the plastic utensils and condiment packets...
