How to Buy Sustainable Groceries Without Plastic

Shopping is a habit that can be hard to change over the course of your zero waste journey. Supermarkets have everything conveniently in one place but often do not take into consideration zero waste adopters and their need for plastic free grocery shopping.

Being intentionally more sustainable while zero waste shopping takes a little bit more preparation and awareness of your food choices. The suggestions I provide are to help you reduce waste and save money. They aren’t a guarantee that you will decrease your footprint or that your family will too.

Why is important to buy groceries sustainably?

I always like to remind my blog readers that you vote with your dollar. You have more of an impact on wages, environment and social equity than you might first think. As a consumer, our purchasing decisions have a huge impact on what products end up sticking around on shelves.

It is important to use our buying power to encourage businesses to adjust their packaging, ingredients, and quality based on our needs as customers.

Often sustainable groceries mean healthier foods and grown sustainably. It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m likely contributing to a healthier society because I’m buying consciously. I put together this post in order to equip you with some knowledge and tools on how you can contribute too.

Here are a few ideas that I experimented myself and worked for me like a charm:

Choose plastic free foods

Every time I go grocery shopping I look for fresh produce that doesn’t come in a package or has very little plastic. It is impossible to find fruits and veggies without any plastic. Do your best to reduce the amount of plastic that comes with your product.

For fresh broccoli, asparagus, and other stemmed produce that still have an elastic, be sure to stash them away to be used again and again they are pretty sturdy.

For the ones that you can’t avoid such as berry containers, packaged lettuce, and mushroom to name a few common ones here — I recommend you try your best to make the most of the packaging however possible. Consider adjusting your purchasing habits to reflect what you can reuse if it isn’t possible to reduce.

For example, I wash out the plastic containers for mushrooms and use them as palettes for my acrylic paints when painting. I use to use glass but found them really hard to clean. This way I can continue to make use of the same container without the hassle of washing it since the layers of paint dry out between the times I paint. I found this great article with 14 ways to repurpose food packaging you can check out.

Try to think about ways you can make use of packaging that is most useful to you. Perhaps you have a specific hobby or way of organizing things that can be helped out by these versatile containers. Basically anything is better to keep them out of the landfills for as long as possible.

Choose the most recyclable plastics

When buying without plastic packaging is not possible, I suggest looking for the plastic that is the most recyclable. Check out my recycling guide here. That means choosing to go with lighter weight

This tip is mostly for zero waste pros who already know how recycling works and which recycling symbols to look for.

Look for plastic that has the recycling symbol and a number from 1 to 5- these numbers are most likely to be recyclable.

Bring your reusable bags and produce bags

In Canada, it seems that bring your bag when you go grocery shopping is becoming part of the normal, which is great. But, grocery stores are still using PRODUCE PLASTIC BAGS, which are definitely still producing waste, as they are not recyclable.

That's why I strongly recommend purchasing a set or two of mesh cotton produce bags, or these cotton bags in different sizes. They are really easy to wash and can be reused in many ways.

Choose seasonal produce

I know it can be hard to remember what fruits and veggies are in season in your area. Check with your local farm's website and learn about it when you have a free moment. Many of them will have helpful guides on how to choose the best produce at different times of the year. Fresh produce is a key to good health. Learning how to buy it by seasonal can make a big difference in the price and nutrient content of the food.

There are so many lists that show you what is in season. The good news is that when produce is in season, they are usually less expensive and more nutritious.

Choose local farms and brands

Shopping local from farms and brands means that you are avoiding transportation and supporting the local economy, which is all great news.

I know from experience that sometimes, local doesn't mean zero waste as they come in plastic bags.

It is really up to you to decide if you want to bring more plastic into your home and shop locally or from other brands and bring no plastic.

If you have the time would be great to chat with your local farmers and brand and express how much you enjoy your product BUT you would love it if they come in a plastic free version.

Try buying less or no meat and dairy

The meat and dairy industry is responsible for 45% of the greenhouse. Cows digestion is responsible for 39% of greenhouse emissions, and manure decomposition is responsible for 10% of greenhouse emissions.

We’re lucky to live in a time where there are so many great vegan options from substitute meats to dairy replacements. Choosing to buy less of these where possible has a big waterfall effect. Less of the dairy and meat we eat results in more energy required to grow and raise crops.

Dairy and meat also have a direct correlation with increased blood pressure and cholesterol and can lead heart disease and stroke.

Buy in bulk is possible

For me personally, buying bulk beans, oats, cereals and sweets has allowed me to avoid bringing huge amounts of plastics and waste into my home.

I realize that bulk stores are not always an option, that's why I said: "when possible". My tip is to make a list of the things you like the most and try finding a bulk version of it.

Buying in bulk is not as convenient as buying from the supermarket, but it is totally worth the effort for me personally. I saved lots of money and I didn't use plastic.

Here’s a list of 10 Refillable Zero -Waste Products that will Save You Money

Buy only what you need

Limiting the number of products you bring into your home will automatically reduce the amount of waste you and your family produce. Buying what you need instead of buying what you want impulsively is healthier for you and your wallet

Of course, there are times when you can indulge but as long as you aren't always "improvise" while shopping, you will be better off. The best way to do this is to arrive with a plan.

Create a budget and be as realistic as you can before planning your trip. You can utilize recipe books or meal planning guides to get started if this is a new process for you. Not only will you save money in the supermarket but you will also save time. It may seem like extra work to prepare in advance but it will save you the headache of trying to compile recipes in your head while shopping.

Make a list

Making a list of things needed is a great way to keep your inventory in order. In our household we keep a list that is accessible to the whole family so when we go grocery shopping, we know exactly what to buy.

It is best of every member of the family can access and add things to the list. Add things to the list as you remember. Decide what you need and create a shopping list.

You can download my grocery list graphic here.

Have a rough meal plan

I am not one to plan my food in detail each week, but I do have a rough idea of what we can possibly eat based on what's in the pantry. So, make a list of meals that you wish for, or you are in the mood for but be flexible during the week.

I usually plan for two home-cooked meals a week, and then I look for quick meals that I can prep in under 20 minutes.

Shop your pantry before heading to the store

Looking at what's in your pantry before shopping will allow you to not overshop and create food waste by forgetting some old foods in the back of your shelves. It will also give you the idea of what you’re missing in your meals - meaning you're less likely to overeat on end up with impulse purchases.

Clean your fridge before shopping

Cleaning your fridge every two weeks or once a month will allow you to take inventory of the sauces and other staple foods you might have hanging in your fridges, such as soy sauce or mustard.

I usually clean my fridge every two weeks. That's when I look deep into the fridge and clean up any mess that happened during the week.

Write to your local grocer

If you like shopping in one place, but you notice that they do not offer zero-waste options, feel free to get in touch and express your desire to have the option of plastic free shopping.

As a grocery store cherishes a customer's wants and needs more than anything, they will most likely work to include these options for you in some form.

Do not forget to express your admiration for their store or product and explain how you are trying to live a zero waste lifestyle.

Bike or walk to the store

I know that this idea sounds weird to you, but I am European. Where I come from, you don’t usually go for a big grocery haul at the supermarket. You can walk down the market and buy the necessary things or you could bike instead. There are some e-bikes that would do just great for a weekly shopping trip and save on a lot of emissions.

There is a new generation of electric bikes, which are a small SUV style with a long battery lasting for a week or more. Should you be interested in switching over to

I hope you enjoyed these plastic free tips on how to do grocery shopping more sustainably.

If you have any other tips on how you shop sustainably, them comment below!