How to reduce waste when shopping
Try these neat tips next time you’re out shopping to help reduce waste.
BUY YOUR FOOD IN BULK OR DIRECTLY FROM THE FARMER
Remove packaging waste from your life. Bulk food stores often stock other waste free living items, like bamboo toothbrushes or compostable cotton buds.
Remove the packaging that comes with double, and triple handling by buying from the source.
AVOID SINGLE USE PLASTIC
Plastic packaging accounts for 40% of global plastic production. The big 4 are the easiest single use plastics to avoid. They are: plastic bags (take your own cloth bags), disposable coffee cups (use a keep cup), plastic straws (avoid, use paper straws or metal straws) and plastic water bottles.
BUY NOTHING NEW
This avoids the packaging and transport impacts of the stuff. It’s also a great way to delay purchase, helping you to think whether or not you really need that item.
USE YOUR OWN CONTAINERS
Remove the need for single use plastic by remembering to bring your container.
Content by Zero Waste Revolution, a not-for-profit community organisation that worked to transform Canberra into a zero waste community, by sharing knowledge and inspiring change between 2018 to 2023. View more of their work on YouTube.