Food packaging represents about a quarter of our household waste. Who hasn't already been surprised by the number of packages to be thrown away only after putting away the groceries?

Bulk

You guessed it, my first piece of advice is to buy in bulk. Just fill your bulk bags with the foods you want and then empty them into your containers when you get home. A So Zero Waste circuit!

Is bulk suitable for all budgets? We often hear that bulk is more expensive, but do we compare the comparable? Bulk and organic are two distinct elements that we tend to equate. It is true that a large part of the dry foods sold in bulk are certified organic, hence a higher price than a "conventional" food. But that same certified organic product with packaging is usually more expensive.

There are some brands that market non-certified organic products such as Day by Day grocery stores. Thus, for an equivalent packaged product, you will see a lower price difference. Still, the good compromise when adopting bulk purchases is to buy the right amount to avoid making the bill soar and food waste.

Reusable or Recyclable Packaging

If buying in bulk is not a purchasing model that suits you, you can still limit your waste by opting for recyclable packaging and avoiding plastic. Glass containers like jars or bottles are endlessly recyclable and even better you can reuse them. Recycled glass bottles for soups in winter are clearly practical. And if not, you can reuse your glass jars to keep your dry goods.

Also prefer cardboard packaging, which is much more recyclable than plastic. You can even reuse them for creative crafts with the kids.

The fresh products

Fruits and vegetables we all tend to buy in bulk. For this food category we are all able to reduce waste to zero. How ? Quite simply by avoiding filling the kraft bags made available at each shopping trip. Do you bring your bags with you? Remember to also take your reusable fruit and vegetable nets, like the ones below.

A small profitable investment for the planet and less mental load at the sight of kraft bags when returning from shopping. Avoid pre-weighed and plastic-wrapped fruits and vegetables. This trend is increasingly visible in supermarkets unfortunately.

Homemade

Promoting the purchase of fresh seasonal products and cooking at home are without secret the two best tips for reducing waste and reducing your shopping budget. Limit your consumption of processed foods. Even if you're not into the kitchen, there are plenty of quick and easy recipes on the net. You can challenge yourself by baking a cake a week, for example, and you might like it. Believe me, you will end up buying almost no more industrial cakes!

Large Formats

To reduce waste and save money, opt for the purchase of primary products in large format. Write down the items you buy often and see if there are 5 or 10kg capacities such as flour for example. For my part, I buy white vinegar and black soap in 5L containers, so less plastic to throw away.

Individual Formats

The freshness sachets, to banish. This type of overpacking is a disaster. Grouping cakes by two, three or more in small individual bags, usually plastic, is incomprehensible. And rice in plastic bags let's not talk about it.

Why create single-use packaging with a lifespan of a few seconds? We sell the practical side for the take-out snack for children, a snack pouch does the trick. The freshness bags have the merit of better preserving the cakes, an airtight box does the job just as well.

What we are not told is that this type of waste is most often found in nature. The "practical" side goes against the protection of the planet. Not to mention that the price of products overpackaged in this way are more expensive than at identical value without overpackaging.

Containers

Take your bags, boxes and any other containers with you when shopping at the supermarket, the grocery store and even the butcher or cheese shop. You are within your rights. The anti-waste law of February 2020 stipulates that any consumer can ask to be served in a container brought by him.

let go

My last advice and not the least, let go! Go at your own pace, don't impose too many constraints on yourself at the risk of creating frustration and increasing your mental load.

To your small gestures my Hummingbirds!