Zen and the Art of Plastic-Free Shopping

The first few days we only went to small specialised shops to get our meat, fish and cheese. Our perception was that the big ones wouldn't co-operate. But going all over town for a bit of cheese isn't always practical. So why not give supermarket monster ASDA a go and see what we can get there without compromise.

Armed with a bag full of Tupperware containers we walked passed the Deli counter. We were tempted by a ready-to-eat chicken for £4.40, loose and no wrapping. "Could you just chuck it in this?". First time, no questions, no problem. The second time a younger lad looked weird at us saying: "We never do that!". "Wrong, your colleague gave it to me in my Tupperware last week", exhibit A: (see pic above which we actually had to show him, because he didn't believe it)."So could you please leave any plastic and just put it like it is in the container". Priceless to see his face. But having this said, it never has been a real issue. Morrissons and Tesco put bacon, cheese, sausages and mince meat in your container without hesitation. As long as you don't make it an issue yourself. No explaining, just expect them to do it. It works! And often it's even cheaper than the pre-packed products.

Here's some tips for plastic-free shopping

1. Always carry a Tupperware container with you when going to the shops

2. Be confident about refusing plastic (suggest for example to wrap it in grease paper or normal paper, otherwise they will get confused!)

3. Do your research where to buy what. Almost everything in the big supermarkets is packed in plastic!

4. Sometimes it is good to start a conversation about why you refuse plastic. Many people simply don't think about it. It might influence them positively!

5. And if you can, go to the shops by bike. It'll keep you really fit!

"Rubbish dumped at sea costs Scotland £17m a year"

And this is exactly why we do this!

Rubbish dumped at Scottish seas...

And become fan of this organisation on Facebook to keep you up to date!

http://www.facebook.com/PlasticPollution

So How Did We Do?

Our plastic challenge month has come to a close.  While not able to eliminate completely all plastic from our lives, Team Sandport still had a good result.  Check it out:

And not all plastic!

The photo you see above is two full weeks of packaging - metal, paper and plastic.  We used to empty this bin every few days because it was so full, mostly comprised of plastic fizzy water bottles.  (Good job, too, since the council has not emptied our bin store - rubbish and recycling for over a month!)

Meanwhile, purchased a long time ago and placed in a box room far, far away.........

In event of Armageddon, please break seal.

And now what?  Will we continue the 1.5 hour journey across town for that one commodity wrapped in paper?  Will we forgo Head and Shoulders shampoo even though Lush doesn't make a non-liquid alternative (not an issue for Jim, clearly)?  No, we've learned what is practical and which plastic reduction measures we can incorporate into our lives easily.  If these have resulted in significantly less plastic passing through this household, then we've achieved our goal.

See all of you at the bar.  The first round is on us.  In glass.

Plastic RealFoods

Before we started this challenge a month ago, I had the presence of mind to contact some of our so-called organic, crunchy granola, eco-aware, I-haven't-shaved-my-armpits-in-a-year Edinburgh-based grocers, i.e., Earthy and Realfoods.  Earthy's website did not provide an e-mail address so I stopped by the Cannonmills branch to have a word with them.  Plastic seemed everywhere but at least some packaging was paper and the staff were sympathetic to our cause.

However, RealFoods DID have an e-mail address.  So on 23 August, I sent them this e-mail:

Good afternoon,

Friends and I are embarking on a plastic-free month.  We intend to buy food, drink and other products that contain no plastic nor come in plastic packaging.  My role in this initiative is to research and source products and the shops that might carry such goods.  We are particularly interested in the following:

Household cleaning products such as dishwasher detergent, fabric softener, bathroom cleaner, etc.

Personal grooming products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.

Dairy products such as yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.

Do you stock these products in non-plastic containers?

Many thanks.

Realfoods finally answered me......but not until 22 September.  Their response?  I give you Exhibit B:

Hi Laurie,

Apologies for the delay in responding to your mail.

I believe a lot of our packaging for the products you mention are in plastic, and at this stage your month has probably passed. Let me know if there is anything else i can help you with.

Regards,

jean - Realfoods

That's what I call solidarity with the environment!  And if you have ever been to Realfoods, you know that they package even amounts as miniscule as 15 grams of edible nasturtiums in non-biodegradable plastic.  So that's alright then!