Bulk Groceries Are Best
When stocking up on groceries for the family, bulk is best. Look for items that are heavy on food and light on packaging. Shopping at the bulk bins is always a safe bet -- you control how much grub goes into your bag. Bonus: Buying in bulk is also a great way to save money.
Judge a Product by Its Cover
When shopping for anything -- food, home supplies, health and beauty products, etc. -- it’s not just what’s inside that counts. Seek out products that are packaged efficiently, with little plastic and cardboard. Consider where the packaging will end up when you’re done with the item -- goods with minimal packaging and ones that are easily recycled or reused are best.
Skip Single-use
Single-use products are tempting -- easy, convenient, less mess. But they also make a lot more waste. Raisins taste just as good when sent to school in a reusable container instead of individual boxes, and you can pour your beverage of choice into a reusable thermos, skipping the individual can or bottle.
Tote Your Totes
Bringing your own bags to the store is one of the easiest ways to make your green mark. Say a proud “No thank you” to an offer of paper or plastic and instead ask the clerk to put your goods in a reusable tote. The best part? Having lots of tote bags around gives you an instant carrying-case for picnic goods, potluck dinner dishes, school supplies and more!
Consolidate Your Errands
Need to hit the hardware store, the pharmacy, the deli and the bakery? Instead of spreading your errands out over a week or so -- driving to one location, parking, shopping and driving home -- lump them together into one big afternoon of to-do list conquering. Plan the most efficient route ahead of time to save gas, and park near a group of stores so you can walk to each of your destinations. Bonus: You’ll save a ton of time!
Marisa Belger’s work has appeared in Travel + Leisure Family, Natural Health, Prevention
and TODAYShow.com, where she wrote a column about eco-friendly living. She was an editor at Lime.com and collaborated with author Josh Dorfman on his bestselling books, The Lazy Environmentalist
and The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget. She is the managing editor of and frequent contributor to
Green Goes Simple.