Tips and inspiration
- Cutting down on unnecessary single-use plastics in your grocery shop is a great way to reduce pollution and help the environment.
- Start by buying loose fruit and vegetables instead of pre-packaged ones in your local supermarket. You could also get yourself a reusable cotton mesh bag to carry them in.
- Independent shops such as butchers, delis, grocers, bakers and markets usually sell groceries loose. Depending on the type of produce, the shop might pack them in a paper bag for you, or you can bring your own reusable bag or container to carry them home.
- If there’s a zero-waste or refill shop near you, why not check it out? They’ll usually sell a range of dried foods, such as pasta, rice, nuts and spices you can fill your own containers with to take home. Use this map to find zero-waste shops in the UK. For other locations worldwide, try Plastic-free Future and EcoRate.
The big picture
More than half of all plastic is used once and then thrown away, and plastic packaging is almost always single use.
UK households discard an estimated 90 billion pieces of plastic every year, with fruit and vegetable packaging the most common item.
Sources:
World Economic Forum: Future of Reusable Consumption Models
World Economic Forum: The New Plastics Economy
Greenpeace: The Big Plastic Count
Image © Abdul Razak Latif/ Shutterstock
Why is this action beneficial?
Reduces waste
Groceries are often packaged in plastic that gets thrown away after a single use. Buying loose produce reduces the amount of plastic that goes to landfill.
Supports local or independent business
Many shops that sell loose produce or refills are small businesses. By shopping there, rather than at large supermarket chains, you’ll be supporting the local economy.
Reduces pollution
Most plastic isn’t recycled. Instead, it ends up being incinerated, buried in landfill or littered in the environment. Avoiding unnecessary plastic packaging helps to minimise pollution.
Protects nature
Plastic waste often ends up in the environment, where it can harm wildlife and disrupt food chains. By reducing the amount of plastic packaging in your food shop, you can help to protect ecosystems from pollution.
Reduces emissions
Plastic production releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Reducing the amount of single-use plastic in your grocery shop reduces the climate impact of your food.
Opportunity to advocate for others
Often, plastic waste is exported to low- and middle-income countries for processing, or burned in incinerators located near deprived neighbourhoods. So, minimising the amount of plastic waste you generate can benefit low-income communities.
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