Making choices that promote sustainable living in our everyday lives has become more important as people are beginning to realize their impact on the environment. People want their everyday actions to make a positive impact on the planet.
A recent movement that has fulfilled this desire is the Zero Waste Movement, and it’s happening in our backyard here in Gainesville! This movement has taken many different forms, and many are adding eco-friendly practices into their routine through zero-waste grocery shopping.
What Is Zero-Waste Grocery Shopping?
In order to understand zero-waste grocery shopping, we first have to understand the Zero Waste Movement itself.
The Zero Waste Movement implies simply that: zero waste. This movement focuses on partaking in activities and buying products that contribute little to no waste. We’ve seen dramatic increases in harmful chemical pollutants and plastics in landfills and in our planet’s oceans. In turn, it has made people more conscious of the choices they make when buying products.
One of the most effective ways to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle is to practice zero-waste thinking at the grocery store. For example, if you have a container you keep your coffee in, a zero-waste option would be to fill the container with just the beans rather than buying a bag of beans, emptying it in the container, and throwing away the bag it came in. More and more stores (especially small, local grocers) are offering zero-waste options like this so their customers can practice sustainability in something as simple as their morning cup of coffee!
How to Zero Waste Grocery Shop
Grocery shopping is one of the biggest ways you can engage with the Zero Waste Movement. The grocery store is full of opportunities to reduce the amount of waste you contribute and make smarter, more sustainable choices.
The EPA also states that a simple thing like reducing your packaging use can decrease energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. That’s definitely an encouragement to opt out of buying packaged foods on your next grocery shopping trip!
Create a Zero Waste Shopping Kit
Alt Text: Photo of Ward’s bulk foods aisle with tote bags that say “I heart dirt. Support local farms.”
To cut down on your waste at the grocery store, you can create a “zero waste shopping kit” to keep in your car. This kit can include the following:
- Reusable bags (to say no to plastic bags!)
- Glass jars
- Wax crayons to write product codes on packages
- Reusable containers
- Nylon or cotton bags for produce
- Canvas totes
- Pillowcases or sackcloth bags (to carry baked goods like bread)
You can keep these items in a bin in your car for easy storage, and it’s a great reminder to use when you arrive at the grocery store.
Stick to a Plan
It’s easy to get carried away at the grocery store, but in order to promote a “waste not, want not” lifestyle, only stick to the things on your list. The best road to success is to have a plan before you start something! And when it comes to your grocery list, instead of wasting a piece of paper, keep your list on your smartphone.
Ward’s Zero Waste Practices
At Ward’s Supermarket, we not only support our customers’ zero-waste practices, but we also encourage them! We offer many different ways to partake in this movement, whether you are new to this or a seasoned veteran.
Shop Zero Waste with Bulk Goods
Alt Text: Photo of Ward’s bulk beans, grains, and nuts with some chocolate bars in front.
We offer Gainesville’s largest selection of bulk goods with over 600 items to choose from. We have all of your favorite products, including:
- Coffee beans
- Granola
- Spices
- Dried fruits
- Beans
- Tea
- Kombucha (on draft!)
- And more!
You can bring in your own glass or reusable containers to fill! This reduces the need for packaging, and you only buy the amount you need. Just remember to bring your containers to any register to get an empty weight on the container.
Zero Waste Items to Buy at Ward’s Supermarket
If you are a beginner to the Zero Waste movement, we offer items in-store to help you start reducing waste! Items you can purchase at Ward’s include:
- Metal tea balls
- 1-60 oz. spice jars
- 1 and 2 oz. dropper bottles
- Wooden coffee scoops
- Bamboo kitchen spoons
- Nylon nut milk bags (an alternative to cheesecloth)
- Ball Jars (various sizes)
- French press coffee pots (last longer compared to auto-drip options!)
- Cotton bags
- And more!
Zero-Waste Shopping in Gainesville with Ward’s Supermarket
It’s easier than ever to make a change in the way you grocery shop. At Ward’s Supermarket, we encourage the Zero Waste Movement and want to help our shoppers make environmentally friendly and sustainable choices at the grocery store. Stop by our store in Gainesville to make going to the grocery store an opportunity to change the world!
