Tips for preventing waste at the supermarket
When we go shopping, we should make an effort to avoid single-use products and choose products with less packaging. We can also buy products in bulk, using our own jars, bags and tupperware boxes to make sure we are buying precisely as much as we need.
On the shelves
Supermarket shelves are brimming with products with packaging of various colours and formats, which are especially designed to grab our attention. When shopping, we must be able to reflect and consider whether or not we really need to buy that product, or if we are buying it on impulse.
- Choose products that have less packaging. When shopping, try to choose those products that generate the least amount of waste.
- Refrain from buying single-use products. You will save on raw materials and will help to reduce the contamination generated by the production and destruction processes.
- Make an effort to buy refillable products. Environmentally-friendly refills for household products, cosmetics and certain food items are often available.
- Make the most of offers. Products are often sold in family packs or in 2-for-1 deals. While you’ll spend a bit more money at the time, it will work out cheaper in the long run.
- Choose products with ecolabels. European or national ecolabels are official certificates that guarantee the quality of the product and a reduced environmental impact throughout the useful life of the product.
- Check food labels. Before buying an item of food, make sure that you will be able to consume it before its expiry date.
- Try to buy products in bulk. It usually works out cheaper and less packaging is involved. The packaging of household waste accounts for a significant part of the total volume of waste generated at home.
In the greengrocer’s
Most of the products sold at the greengrocer’s can be purchased without any packaging. By following a few very simple tips, you can eliminate all waste from your purchase of this type of food.
- Try to buy individual pieces of fruit and vegetables. By shopping in this way, you will only buy the amount that you need and will not waste any food.
- Carry fruit and vegetables in a fabric bag. Most greengrocer’s allow you to weigh and carry fruit and vegetables in a fabric bag, thus avoiding the waste associated with the use of plastic bags.
In the butcher’s/fishmonger’s
Butcher’s and fishmonger’s are establishments where food can be purchased without generating any non-organic waste.
- Try to buy individual units of meat, fish and dairy products. By shopping in this way, you will only buy the amount that you need and will not waste any food.
- Carry them in tupperware boxes. Most butcher’s and fishmonger's allow their products to be weighed and transported in tupperware boxes, thus avoiding the waste associated with plastic bags and plastic-coated paper.
- Don't forget to bring your cooler bag. By taking your fish, meat and dairy products home in a cooler bag, you will ensure that the cold chain is not broken and ensure that the products do not go off.
At the till
When we reach the till to pay for all the food and products that we would like to buy, we can make this an entirely waste-free experience.
- Make an effort to use reusable shopping bags. Single-use bags have a useful life of approximately 20 minutes before they are thrown away. Fabric and raffia bags can be used as many times as you need, and using them helps to reduce waste.
- When possible, request receipts and invoices in a digital format. By doing this, you will not accumulate a huge amount of unnecessary receipts and will reduce your paper consumption.