Lately we have been struggling to take the “right” decisions. This year we started, together as a couple, the commitment to reduce our plastic consumption as much as we can, but to reduce food waste as well. These last two weeks we noticed the trouble of taking decisions because, apparently, we haven’t got the perfect way to achieve both goals at the same time in some cases. I’ll explain this:
Plastic free vs. Food waste
We do our grocery shopping, most of it, at the closest supermarket, and sometimes we go to the market to buy the fruits and vegetables when we can’t find something local grown or without plastic packaging. We have had trouble finding a source (bulk or free of packaging) for our quark or cream cheese. So, I’m prioritising avoiding plastic by buying yoghurt in returnable glass jar, beers and juices as well.
But sometimes there are many products about to “expire” in the section of “reduced foods” in the supermarket that mostly is dairy. That’s when the dilemma comes. All of these reduced products come in plastic. So… I want to avoid plastic but at the same time avoid they end up throwing those reduced products because they don’t sell.
Zero waste vs. Consumerism
Ok… this has happened lately since we are planning to sell a LOT of stuff in the flea market this coming Sunday. So we have been putting away or apart the stuff we don’t use, wear, need + utensils we can replace with wood/glass/steel instead of continue using the plastic ones we already had.
So… there has been a lot of buying new stuff that will replace the plastic ones. But that comes with our fight agains consumerism as well. What we find in a second-hand shop or car boot sale is guilt-free because for us is better give it a second life to something in good shape, good quality that someone doesn’t need anymore. But there is a lot of stuff we haven’t found there neither in other shops (eco-friendly, fair-trade shops) and that’s when we have even considered buying online (which is also not the ideal due to the fuel by shipping and not being local-sourced).
I hope by now I have explained myself.
In a nutshell
Sometimes we choose to buy the reduced about-to-expire food from shelves int he supermarket. Most of the times we try to buy package-free or at least returnable bottles.
Sometimes we buy things that will replace the plastic we have. Most of the times we decide to just continue using the ones we have, even though is plastic, but we will use them as much and as long as it is possible to avoid ending up in a landfill or ocean.
It hasn’t been easy for us, although is very rewarding when we see how much we have reduced our waste and how we have improved in our consumerism being more aware of the things we actually “need” + knowing where do they come from, who made them, what are they made of, etc.
Do you also have these battles?
How do you choose? Let us know!
We would use your advice and help 🙂
ecogreenlove 