Since living in Germany, we haven’t had access to big, bulk stores like in the states. Honestly, I may not even go back to them. Buying toilet paper wrapped in plastic that is wrapped in more plastic is no longer my style now that I know there are other options. Buying a huge bag of oranges just to have my kids say they don’t like oranges this week also doesn’t save me money or decrease my waste. So here are five tips to decrease your waste.
Opt for Cardboard & Glass
Yes I’m that crazy lady that goes around knocking on nut butter jars. Besides reading an article recently about plastic jars having to be heated up to seal properly, which we all knows causes the plastic to leech chemicals into what it is holding, I can reuse the glass jars to store things in my bathroom, start my seeds in the spring, or simply recycle them. I also want to make people aware of the fact that when you buy the milk cartons, that they are covered in plastic to make them waterproof.
Buy Locally & Seasonally
One thing that living in Germany has really opened my eyes to is shopping seasonally. You won’t find spinach on the shelves year round and for a good reason, no place is warm enough to grow, store, and ship it around here. It has also caused me to try new fruits and veggies. I had no idea how much I would love mangos and kohlrabi until we moved here. Those who love mango know why, but kohlrabi is GREAT in stir fry & brings the dish nutrients we might not have gotten elsewhere!
In the Germany grocery stores, they also list where the produce comes from. You’ll see oranges from Italy, potatoes from Germany, etc. There are also great markets to go around to starting in May until the fall!
Look Online for Non Plastic Options
In the states, I was that lady hoarding coupons to go to target and buy my toilet paper to earn gift cards. I bought so many paper towels I have had enough for the past four years (we use un paper towels and only use paper towels for grease messes and to clean my cast iron). Before we left Arizona I wanted to find a different option. I hated that my toilet paper was wrapped in plastic that was wrapped in more plastic. I found Who Gives A Crap and they have not disappointed! Here is my referral code for $10 off your first order. They have recycled and bamboo toilet paper, a bamboo & sugarcane blend of paper towels, and bamboo tissues, so no trees harmed ever!
Eat Less Meat & Dairy
Okay ya’ll, hear me out. I grew up eating meat with every meal. Even in college I made sure supper had fresh greens topped with meat. That’s what my food guide pyramid had told me to eat my entire life! But as I researched, I realized that meat and dairy aren’t the best things for your diet. There are numerous reasons we have greatly decreased our meat and dairy. Salmonella covered chicken isn’t allowed to be sold in the EU, but is something I always thought was normal because that’s how it is sold in the US. Large beef and dairy companies have surpassed the petroleum industry in terms of emissions created. According to GRAIN most of these companies don’t or underreport their emissions anyhow. Three of the top four companies listed as having the highest emissions are headquartered in the US. Also, think about how meat is packaged. Meat comes in styrofoam that is wrapped in plastic. In many places in the US, these things can’t even be recycled.
Now, I’m not saying to go vegan today, but do be conscious about where you buy your animal products from and how much you eat. We started doing one, then two, etc days of the week without meat & dairy. Now we only eat it about one day a week, although I will occasionally buy Babybels for the girls and Justin to snack on.
Buy Ugly & Reject Produce
Globally 1/3 of produce fit for human consumption is thrown out. In the US, it’s estimated that each household throws out 40% of their food equaling almost $2,000 each year. Ways to combat this is to buy produce at the store that is imperfect looking for finding a local ‘rescued produce’ service. These are companies that work directly with farmers to buy produce that would otherwise get thrown out due to store managers rejecting them. Do some research to see if there’s one in your area. These services are popping up all over the US.
Will you try any of the strategies above? Do you already do any of these?
Thank you so very much for stopping by and reading. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it & what you’re doing to help the world! Til next time. xoxo
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