{"id":57188,"date":"2016-06-24T09:15:41","date_gmt":"2016-06-24T13:15:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wanderlust.com\/?p=57188"},"modified":"2016-06-24T09:24:52","modified_gmt":"2016-06-24T13:24:52","slug":"lauren-singer-zero-waste-grocery-shopping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderlust.com\/de\/journal\/lauren-singer-zero-waste-grocery-shopping\/","title":{"rendered":"Lauren Singer: Zero Waste Grocery Shopping"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lauren Singer is a presenter at Wanderlust Hollywood<\/a> and Wanderlust Festivals. For more information, click here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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When Lauren Singer goes food shopping, the people behind the counter already know she’s the one who’s going to insist on using her own reusable containers.<\/h3>\n

\u201cThey know me now,“ says Lauren. „When I go to buy things now they already know that I don’t want packaging. It’s just a nice relationship to have.“ It’s a win-win when you can develop a relationship with people you buy groceries from, while improving your relationship with the Earth, and advocating for zero waste practices.<\/p>\n

Lauren Singer has made her name as the Zero Waste guru of Trash is for Tossers<\/a>, a blog, lifestyle website, and online how-to guide for seekers of sustainable living. Lauren was an environmental studies major in college, and was compelled to try to live a Zero-Waste life when her professor, Jeffrey Hollender, founder of Seventh Generation, encouraged his students to \u201clive their values.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s unnecessary trash all around us in our everyday live. The road to a zero-waste life wasn’t always easy, but Lauren made it work. Which just goes to show, going zero-waste is not as impossible as it sounds. One of the easiest ways to reduce your personal waste is at the grocery store. We sat down with Lauren to figure out how to go grocery shopping waste-free.<\/p>\n

Where to Shop<\/h3>\n

Lauren was never really a fan of typical grocery stores, so seeking out new places to get her produce was a win-win. \u201cI love farmers markets. They just make me happier<\/a>,“ she explains. „I’m a big believer in doing things that make me feel good, and grocery stores just never made me feel good.\u201d By shopping at local markets Lauren supports area farmers, gets fresh, quality produce, and\u2014since most things at farmers markets aren’t prepackaged\u2014she can more easily shop zero waste.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, before anything else, see if you have any local farmers markets or natural food stores. I believe in always trying to support your local economy. Big box stores should be a last resort,“ she says.<\/p>\n

Of course, for some, farmers markets and natural food stores may not be easily accessible, if accessible at all. While you may wish you could avoid them altogether, local grocery stores and big box stores could be your only option. We can all only do what we can. Make an effort to stop at farmers markets on the weekends if possible, and just remember that every little bit counts.<\/p>\n

Regardless of your situation, there\u2019s plenty you can do when shopping to help you transition into a less wasteful way of life without jumping too far outside your comfort zone.<\/p>\n

What to Bring<\/h3>\n

An easy way to cut down on waste when grocery shopping is to BYOC\u2014bring your own containers! In 2014, California became<\/a> the first state to ban all plastic bags at retail stores, and other states and locales have followed suit by charging minimal fees for plastic bags at checkouts etc. So no more plastic bags. If you have a ton of bags at home\u2014which you more than likely do\u2014Lauren suggests taking them to a local grocery store that has a plastic bag take-back bin (if you can’t find one, inquire with a store manager).<\/p>\n

Unsure if you can make an impact? According to the Natural Resources Defense Council<\/em><\/a>: \u201cThe average American family takes home 1,500 plastic bags a year.“ That’s a lot of plastic. Keep reusable bags and containers in a desk drawer, around your home, and in your car to make zero waste shopping convenient day or night.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t stop with bags. Reusable containers are key for produce. Can you use your own mason jars or bags to collect products such as peanut butter, granola, or nuts? Bring your own cloth bags for lettuce and loose vegetables.<\/p>\n

Next up? A shopping list. \u201cWhen you make a shopping list you’ll know how many bags you will need. Usually, when you don’t make a shopping list you wind up getting stuff that you don’t need, and that’s typically wasteful,\u201d Lauren says. Plan ahead and be prepared.<\/p>\n

\"Photo
Photo courtesy of Trash Is For Tossers<\/div><\/div>\n

Product Tips<\/h3>\n

With your grocery list, reusable bags, and containers in tow, you’re ready to hit the aisles. \u201cThey say in a supermarket you should shop the perimeter,\u201d Lauren advises, \u201cthat’s [where] things like the produce, eggs, milk, those kinds of things [are stored]. I completely avoid the processed food section.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s Lauren\u2019s quick list when it comes to what to look for in products you purchase:<\/p>\n