Bulkier is better, at least when it comes to buying your groceries. The more food you get, with the least packaging, the less ends up in our landfills. Bulk is hella cheaper than pre-packaged goods too, it’s essentially a win-win. That’s why we are loving on the Bulk is Green Council (BIG), a non-profit advocacy group that spreads awareness about the environmental and economical benefits of shopping in the bulk foods section. Here are some of their top tips for bulking up;
1. Reduce waste! Buy just the amount you need – Whether it’s a pound or a pinch, put a stomp on food waste by buying just the amount you’ll use. Pay attention to the amount you select (or scoop, in the bulk foods section) when experimenting with a new spice in your favorite spaghetti sauce recipe or stocking up on trail mix for the kid’s lunches. Overdoing it only means you’ll pay, literally, the next time you rid your cupboard of outdated food.
2. Reuse it and get rewarded! Bring your own bags and containers – Whole Foods and top supermarket chains praise (and sometimes pay) shoppers who use their own bags. Invest in glass Tupperware or give that empty Earth Balance container a second use by filling it with brown rice from the bulk foods section or a quinoa salad from the deli counter. Just ask the cashier to weigh your container ahead of time. While you’re at it, BYOB (bring your own bag). If you must go with single-use, opt for paper!
3. Buy natural and organic, whenever possible — Not only are the pesticides and synthetic chemicals used in non-natural and non-organic foods often toxic to our health – they’ve been linked to cancer and other diseases – they’re bad for the environment. Tainted runoff from conventional farms washes into rivers and lakes, which contaminates waterways and threatens wildlife. Plus, the added benefits of buying natural and organic don’t have to mean added costs. By buying natural and organic in the bulk foods section of the grocery store, shoppers can pay 30 to 96 percent less on their grocery bill.