New Year’s resolutions is a great time to change your habits. While normally it can be hard to stick with your resolutions, this one will be easier. Resolve to green your shopping habits (especially grocery shopping). The average American family gets rid of around 14% of their food every year. When you do the math that is about 600 dollars every year in food, just thrown away. Food that is uneaten and thrown away gets sent to landfills where it rots and releases methane (which is considered a greenhouse gas). Just storing your food incorrectly can cause it to rot prematurely. However with some of these simple and easy implemented tips you can help to reduce the amount of food wasted and helps the environment out in the process!
Choose A Different Container. The most reached for reusable container mostly is mainly plastic; however glass or metal containers are better for the environment and for you as well! A problem with plastic is the chemicals that are in the plastic itself can seep into the food that is being stored in them, especially if the plastic container is being used in the microwave. If you like to use plastic containers there is a solution! Some plastic containers are made from recycled plastic and plastic containers are a lot better for the environment compared to Styrofoam. If you are going to use the plastic containers make sure to hand wash them to keep their longevity.
Pack your lunch in style. Get a reusable, fabric lunch bag. It helps save all those brown paper bags made for lunch and it can help add some style to lunch. See if there might be a matching napkin set (that way you don’t waste paper products). Stores now offer organic cotton bags and can be used instead of plastic sandwich bags. Also some whole foods stores carry wax bags which can be used instead of plastic and are great for the environment (they are biodegradable and compostable).
Try to buy organic and recycled products. Choosing organic food means fewer pesticides in the ground and means healthier food for you and for future generations. Organic products tend to be a little on the pricey end so the next best option is to buy locally grown produce. When you buy locally grown produce you are helping the local farmers and local economy. Lastly the next time you are at the grocery store try and look for products that are made with recyclable packaging.
Source: Ecoexpert Blog
One reply on “New Year’s Resolution: Be Greener”
[…] Choosing organic food means fewer pesticides in the ground and means healthier food for you and for future generations. However, organic products tend to be a little on the pricey end so the next best option is to buy locally grown produce. When you buy locally grown produce you are helping the local farmers and local economy. Lastly the next time you are at the grocery store try and look for products that are made with recyclable packaging. (Source: Eco Home Ideas) […]