PRODUCE: Most diets say that you need to eat more fruits and vegetables, and these products are the easiest to find with minimal packaging. When you go to the produce section of your local grocery store, look around. They usually offer produce wrapped in plastic bags or those little net bags and sometimes they even have Styrofoam trays covered in plastic. Only buy the produce that has no packaging and do not use those handy plastic bags with the twist ties that the grocer puts out for you. Most of your produce has to be washed and a lot of it has a skin that you will be peeling off, so why put it in a bag? If you have to keep things separate, consider bringing reusable net bags from home to tote your produce in. They are less wasteful, and they fold up conveniently small.
PANTRY: When stocking up on pantry items consider that many packaged products can also be found in bulksizes which reduces packaging. Some bulk items come in larger quantity sizes but many times they are offered in bins and allow you to choose the amount you would like. When using the bin style of bulk it is best to use your own containers or bags that you have brought from home to be reused. Shopping clubs, food service centers, and even most of the major grocery stores carry bulk food. Buying in bulk also reduces food waste since you only have to buy what you need. For prepackaged pantry items such as cereal, choose the brands that come in bags rather than a bag and a box. These items have the added advantage of being less expensive. Although cans and glass are both recyclable,[recycle.gif] look for items that come in glass jars so that you can clean them out and reuse them to store beans, teas, and other dry goods. Avoid plastic bags and jars.
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