My packaging waste has drastically reduced since lockdown started.

Hi everyone,

I haven't shopped in a supermarket since Covid 19 hit us in March and I'm enjoying shopping in small local shops as they are friendlier and much less stressful. I've been buying milk in bottles so I haven't been buying milk in tetra packs or tubs of raspberries and other plastic wrapped supermarket fruit and veg.

On one level my shopping costs more but I walk to my local store for the milk and walk home a really pretty route so its healthy and relaxing I also buy as much veggies as possible loose and get them in paper bags so I'm developing a new way of shopping thats working for me as I can buy plant based double cream, milk in bottles gluten free popadoms in my local shop and it's not stressful. My local whole food store is invaluable to me being a coeliac so its all good as I realised that my recycling only needs to go our every 2 months and I put my wheel bin out once in 4 to 6 weeks.

So I'm very positive about my new shopping habits as they work for me and the planet so maybe they're actually cheaper than I thought...🌞

[kitchengardener2]

We have reduced our supermarket shopping and the accompanying plastic waste. Some veg does come in plastic tubs but these are reused for seed planting tubs, yogurt pots are also reused to grow peas and beans, some have been ongoing for three years now. Milk comes from milkman in glass bottles, fish from fisherman's shop, meat from local butcher, we eat little bread but that also comes from local baker or is baked at home.

Lots of veg, salads etc ready now in garden.

Don't think we shall ever patronize supermarkets the old way again.

[Hidden in reply to kitchengardener2]

Nowadays we only have anything to do with the supermarkets if we are desperate and have no other options and find the smaller shops are better and will stick with them for the future.

[Hidden in reply to kitchengardener2]

Hey very well done you I'm impressed. 😊

[Hidden]

We have as little to do with the supermarkets as we can after that panic buying fiasco back in march which was unnecessary and ridiculous!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I think that a lot of us have seen the light and don't want to go back to the old ways...so good for you. 😊

[TheAwfulToad]

Same here! We're either buying/bartering local produce, or growing our own. Most of our waste is compostable.

[Hidden in reply to TheAwfulToad]

Well done you and I'm growing more than I ever have before and I prefer it too and composting is so good. So let's hope lots of us learn new more sustainable methods post virus. 👍

[Hidden]

Oh wow Jerry, you really have reduced your waste and that's very good news. I'm going to change my supermarket to one that's nearer and one that has been much better during the pandemic on the way it has handled things, it also has more loose fruit and vegetables, some are in plastic but not as many. What I'm doing now is when I buy frozen vegetables I'm washing out the plastic packaging and using it as freezer bags and for other generic uses and I'm doing the same with the plastic bags that my oats come in.

If we all do out little bit it'll be amazing on how much difference it makes.

Well done Jerry, you are an inspiration.

Alicia

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Awe thanks Alicia, that’s appreciated it is how it’s panned out as I thought that I was making good choices in the supermarket before but now I realise that I’ve made better ones because I’ve been keeping out the supermarkets to stay safe.

I had freshly picked baby leaf salad for dinner and that was nice and it’s minimal effort.

I think that you are very good with your diet and exercise so know that you’re an inspiration to many.

Have a lovely evening now. 😊

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

It's so lovely to have a good local shop, sadly we haven't got a good local shop but I think the one we have is about to be improved as there are new owners so I hope so. I think a fruit and vegetable shop where I live would do well. You certainly have made some very good choices so well done Jerry.

Ooh I bet that was nice, I haven't had dinner yet but it'll probably be my homemade veggie packed soup as it's called.

Aww thank you Jerry and I do love my exercise which makes it easier for sure.

You have a lovely evening as well.

Take care

Alicia

[maria40]

I envy you. I've had to shield and must do so until end of July so I've been dependent on supermarket home deliveries - which come in plastic bags! I hate this but understand they can't do the unpacked deliveries which were becoming the norm before lockdown. I tried a veggie box and other local deliveries which were great but simply too expensive.

[Hidden in reply to maria40]

Hey you have to do what’s best for you which’s staying safe. 😊

[Nugger]

Like going back in time here in good old USA, still using plastic bags at supermarket, no recycling what so ever, everyone around us loves Trump!

Scared of getting the virus as I’ve no health insurance, next April, I’ll be eligible for Medicare & that only covers 80 % & when each night in hospital costs $14,000 a night if your lucky, that 20% soon adds up, doesn’t cover drugs, eyes or ears either.

Great little county this USA!

[Want2BHappy3]

Nice that you can do that, I’m living on my savings which is running out. So I’m living on borrowed time, I’m retired with medical issues. 🙏😷

[Hidden in reply to Want2BHappy3]

Thank you and good luck to you. 🙏🌞

[fedupoffeelingtired]

I haven't bought fruit and veg from the supermarket for years. I went out of my way to get friendly with my local greengrocer. I like the fact the produce is fresher and plastic free. I also learnt the best times of the week to "pop in as I was passing" to see what things he had reduced to clear at the end of the day, especially late Saturday afternoon. I prep and freeze veg as my hubby loves stir fries and my son loves making his own vegetable savoury rice. I have a constant container of mixed berries for smoothies/porridge. His produce lasts so much longer than super market stuff and there is so much more seasonal stuff. That helped us eat a better variety of veg