Reducing Waste at the Grocery Store
By Stephenie P.
Are you baffled over reducing your waste at the grocery store or trying to find green alternatives to things you can’t live without, like toothpaste? If you wish to tackle these issues, check out the Toms of Maine line. Yes, they’ve recently entered into a partnership with Colgate-Palmolive, but the original owners still have much to say about their product and its production. Their website very clearly explains the packaging they use, including the specific plastic number and other materials. From that you can determine if you’re able to recycle it using your local facilities. Most of the plastics they use are indeed recyclable. The toothpaste is in an aluminum tube that can be recycled as well.
As for other products, try to choose those that have the least packaging. Many companies for cost reasons and to be green are already minimizing packing materials. If you love a product but hate its waste, call the company and ask them what they’re doing about it. Hearing from their consumers might actually pay off. Perhaps you can organize a letter writing campaign, or email blasts. Maybe move on your idea of saving up all the non-recyclables and mailing it back to them.
Alternatives to those Ziploc containers and others like them are plentiful. Exploring those options are beneficial not only to the planet, but to you as well. There are links to harmful chemicals leaching into stored food from those plastics. An inexpensive alternative to “Tupperware” is to reuse glass jars. Surely you have a glass jar of some sort of food in your cupboard. When it’s empty, wash it well and reuse it to store your leftovers. Wrap it in a cloth napkin and tuck your kitchen fork into the pouch and ready to go! If you don’t have a supply of re-purposed jars on hand, check out options in your favorite department store. There are plenty of glass containers available in many variations. Look for Pyrex quality products; this glass can be heated microwaves and ovens.
source: http://lgpshow.org/blog/
Tags: glass jars, packaging, Toms of Maine, tupperware
