Plastic Produce Bags? That’s so 2018

If you've been anywhere on the Internet recently, you've probably stumbled upon the zero-waste movement. My news feed seems to be flooded with mason jars filled with years worth of trash, stainless steel straws, and composting. And in a time where our environment is reaching a tipping point in terms of climate change, I was fascinated by this lifestyle and making changes.

Last year, I personally adopted many of the lifestyle changes within the movement. The ones that stuck with me the most were the small shifts in how I shopped for my groceries. Buying produce in the past consisted of me coming home with a surprising amount of little plastic produce bags that had no use after they served their one-time purpose. I found my trash can filling up really quickly every week because literally everything I bought came wrapped or packaged in plastic – flour, nuts, quinoa, you name it, it had plastic. In fact, when I searched through my trash to see where I could start making a change, food packaging was the #1 culprit. So I went to work.

In this post, I demonstrate buying cashews for a casserole recipe in the bulk section of my local Safeway. They recently started implementing bulk goods within the last year or so, which I think is a great step in the right direction. I’m aware that not everyone has access to this though, so I decided to whip out my favorite zero-waste tool.

These reusable mesh bags that I got on Amazon are extremely versatile. I use them for both bulk items and produce. These are extra handy because they also include the tare weight on the label, making check out super easy! They’re a breeze to use and wash, and I highly recommend these if you don’t already have any.

Getting your items from the bulk section is easy. Simply locate exactly what you need, scoop in how much you need, take note of the SKU number on your phone, and voila, you’re done!

scooping just how much I need for my recipe

Checking out is easy with bulk items. Be sure to let your cashier know what the tare weight is (how much your bag weighs). Often times, I find shopping in bulk more effective than buying something in a package. In this sense, I didn’t need a lot of cashews. The recipe I was using only required a cup’s worth, and as someone who doesn’t cook very frequently or use cashews in every recipe, I love having the option to only be able to buy exactly how much I need. Shopping zero-waste has helped me immensely in decreasing not just my plastic waste, but also my food waste.

I wanted to share this post in hopes that it inspires you to think about how you bring your food home. To me, the zero-waste movement isn’t about creating so little trash in a year that you can fit it into a mason jar. I know that’s not realistic for everyone, and no one is perfect! What’s great about the movement gaining so much momentum is that there’s a greater pool of ideas being spread, and surely, there’s something for everyone. For me, switching to these reusable bags was the easiest change. While we all act as individuals in movements like these, it’s important that collectively, we do have the power to make a difference.

Alana