The Green Shopping Conundrum — Changing Habits for the Planet
At the bar conversation — me and a friend: “I was going to buy salmon today, but I looked at all the plastic and put it back..” “Me too — was going to buy berries but they are from Chile, so is frozen better..?” By the end we were laughing at our angsts. I think many citizens of this planet are facing eco anxiety — we want to do something, but it’s so hard to know what. I have been delving, listening and discussing. So I’m sharing as I learn and change. But alas am no eco goddess! Look to people who have always lived green, for true inspiration!
In my first blog on this topic, I looked at a mindset change and how we can see these lifestyle changes positively and as a way of becoming more in touch with our core selves. It was only a generation ago — my parents for example who naturally didn’t throw away, reused, didn’t all have a car. So it’s not far back in our genes to be able to undo our teenage rebellious years of extreme lavishness! I talked of my steps — travelling less, buying less — and only in charity shops for clothes and shoes, mending and repairing. Alongside that, composting has been happening for years, as has my reduction of eating meat, but did that out of convenience. The birds and hedgehogs in this garden are fed and recently wild flowers planted in a part of the lawn being kept unmown. So, let’s take a look at that conundrum of food shopping...
Buying local and seasonal: The first thing was becoming aware of the ‘ORIGIN’ of what I was buying. I like berries and looked for the origins— blueberries and strawberries from Chile and Brazil. Aargh! But of course, doh, it was December and out of season. So I stopped and instead bought frozen (mind whirl — but is freezing things good..?!) I started to become aware of where everything comes from and limiting my miles of carbon. Kiwis and other exotic fruits were removed from the list. And I’m learning to love other things — recently discovered celeriac and turnip for example. And now eating swede, parsnips and carrots that are grown this time of year in the UK. Lovely!
Reusing plastic bags from every bit of packaging: Bread bags, cereal bags, bags from the greens or salad I bought at tesco, loo roll bags, boxes. I use them when I need bags, for litter picking and for when buying loose fruit and veg. The bag the cheese came in carries dog treats. Boxes, plastic, glass. We can reuse before it gets recycled.
My most recent shopping trip, I decided I am going to buy ONLY local and without plastic covering. I was horrified at all the plastic in Tesco, as it is in Sainsbury’s. On the celeriac, on the cabbage, round 6 apples. So I didn’t buy much there (Sainsbury’s is slightly better on that though)! Folks, can we all make the same pledge — I ain’t buying if it’s covered in plastic bag covering, which takes between 200 and 1000 years to biodegrade! Nor if it has travelled 000s of miles! I heard Sainsbury’s lets you bring your own containers for the deli, fresh fish and meat, so that’s something.
Don’t waste — eat as much of things as possible: I am now trying to look at eating as much of what I buy as possible. So the turnip skin is apparently fine for us, as are the green stems on the carrots. And my dog can eat those too — why throw away all those nutrients!
I switched and split where I buy: I read that Sainsbury’s is in the list of A1 of companies that reach a certain level. Only 2% of companies are, so I switched from Tesco to Sainsbury’s.
Sickened by the plastic and feeling guilt for all our driving, this week I walked to the market. Combined it with the dog walk. It was a 75 minute round walk. 7,000 steps, 375 plus calories and carried 10 kilos home! I need to find a bigger rucksack from the loft, to lighten the load. Who needs gyms if we all started doing that a bit more? Ditch the SUV/car and gym membership, walk and carry ;-) But seriously, when things are good for the environment, it’s good for you — health and mental health — as well as your pocket! Plus no plastic on what I bought, no stickers on fruit. A friend commented that she has got a trolley and can use that and walk the dog at the same time. Tracey the Trolley, featured here on her first outing. Some people have said about using a suitcase if it saves buying new. She said she only buys local, farm shops and not from supermarkets.
I am looking at things like Milk & More, who are passing anyway in my area, and getting some things from them too. You’d be amazed how much they sell now and they are sustainable focused, buying local where they can.
Looking at the recyclability of what I buy: I wrote to the people I buy regularly from. Asked their plans for future sustainability, but it also made me look at packaging. Robinsons squash for example is 100% recyclable. Some things aren’t. Check the packaging and where you can, try and buy only goods that are recyclable — or in things you know are, such as olives jars rather than plastic. Find local places that recycle extras such as toothbrushes, crisp packets.
Try to consolidate if online ordering and don’t demand next day delivery: So many of us are used to what we want, now — the Amazon effect. This means vans have to take a special trip if you need it next day, adding carbon emissions. In future, they may give us options at checkout to wait and consolidate for a more eco-friendly trip. But do try to buy all at once, rather than multiple van deliveries.
I think that’s enough for one day. There is lots more, such as I buy tea leaves, not tea bags now, but there is only so much a brain can take in at once. Thank you for reading. I hope it has sparked ideas. We are many of us on a journey ourselves and once you get into a new mindset, it keeps accelerating. I confess it can be hard — you can say “But China is emitting far more” — but then we choose to buy from them because we want cheap. Or as a friend said, she did all her recycling, then her neighbours put everything in black bags. But we each have to do what our conscience says we should. And I have more to cover — on energy (switch to green now!), electric car thoughts (read the blog) and more.
Summary: Buy local and seasonal without plastic covering, reuse every bit of packaging, pick shops/markets doing their bit for the environment, waste less food, look at the recyclability of items and consolidate online orders. As I said last time:
Buy Less. Waste Less. Travel Less.
Repair. Reuse then Relax and enjoy the more tranquil, sustainable and healthy life you are creating :-)
If you haven’t read the 1st blog in this series, please do: First Steps Towards a More Sustainable, but Peaceful Life
