We are all trying to reduce waste consumption within our household, and to recycle the waste we dispose of. One of the biggest culprits is our weekly shop, even if we opt for home delivery and ‘no bags’, the amount of packaging used to keep food fresh is still huge.
The best way to keep packaging to a minimum is by shopping ‘zero waste’, this mean’s either taking along your own jars and containers to a refill store or using the brand new packaging free grocery aisles which are popping up in certain supermarkets around the country. These stores allow you to weigh your ingredients and take them home in recyclable bags or your own containers, some large supermarkets are trialling the concept, Aldi, Asda, M&S, Morrison’s and Waitrose have introduced a range and are planning to expand throughout the country soon.
Here at Mrs Green’s Eco Store we would always encourage you to shop locally, and lots of zero waste refill stores are opening in and around our local Derbyshire area. These will sell lots of the following items loosely or in plastic free recyclable packaging,
Beauty Products; Soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products
Household Products; Detergents, Washing up liquid, Laundry Products
Store Cupboard Ingredients; Pulses, Beans, Flour, Spices, Cereals, Nuts etc
You can find a store near you by looking on localzerowaste.com
A few we can recommend in our local area would be Skopa the Zero Waste Place in Wirksworth, Steph’s Sustainable Stuff who has a stall on Chesterfield Market on Mon, Thurs and Saturdays and Refills on the Road who visit various locations in the Derbyshire area in their unique van selling a variety of products. Follow all these on Facebook for updates and product information and launches. In addition, these are run by amazing award winning women in business.
To help in your quest to shop zero waste, here at Mrs Green’s Eco Store we sell lots of beautiful jars and bottles to store all your products in, or to take to store and refill directly, then pop straight on your shelves or larder.
Lots of stores have come a long way by making lots of packaging recyclable and biodegradable, but the only way we can truly know what happens to some plastics is by avoiding using them altogether.
Here at Mrs Green’s as always we encourage you to try to make small changes which are manageable and any small change can make a big difference.
Please feel free to comment with any other zero free shopping tips
Karen & Vicky
