According to the Sierra Club, every American produces about 4.5 pounds of garbage a day. Items with excess packaging and products that need to be discarded after only a few uses cost more money, use up valuable resources and create more waste.
When shopping for food and household goods, buy in bigger quantities. A larger container means less packaging. A family of 4 can save $2,000 a year in the supermarket buying a larger size It takes 10 cents of every shopping dollar to pay for packaging.
Buy items like cereal and raisins in a large box instead of individual serving sizes. Snacks can portioned out in reusable containers.
Buy juice in concentrates and use reusable containers instead of single serving packs.
Ban bottled water – it produces a lot of container waste and the water quality is nearly the same as tap water. If you have to buy bottled water choose a large plastic jug instead of six packs of bottles and use reusable drinking containers.
Look for “refill packs” when available for products such as diaper wipes: They use up to 90% less packaging than regular, hard-plastic containers.
When you buy just one or a few items, do you really need a bag to carry them in?
- If you do need a bag consider using a reusable cloth bag .
- You can also bring plastic or paper bags from previous shopping trips to use again on the next shopping trip.
- Store your bags in your car so you always have them available.
- Don’t forget that you can use reusable bags when shopping for other things besides groceries, such as clothes and holiday shopping.
Use reusable containers and think outside the plastic box!
- Invest in reusable containers for everything from sandwiches to soup to save money and the environment.
- If you have to use plastic table service look for recycled brands.
- When picnicking, write your name on disposable cups so you only use one or bring reusable cups.
