Steps one and two were all about plastic. Step three considered energy use. Step four is a combination of the two, with a focus on reducing and reusing.
Step Four: Bulking Up
Bins of spices, flours, grains, beans, rice, pasta, nuts, seeds and even peanut butter line the bulk food aisle. It’s a cornucopia of whole food ingredients and staples. This is the aisle where I discovered purple sticky rice, Himalayan red rice, Israeli pearl couscous and lentils du Puy, to name a few.
Cooking inspiration aside, buying from the bulk aisle is another simple step towards reducing waste and giving back to the earth.
Here are just a handful of reasons to bulk up:
- In many cases, you will save money—especially when it comes to coffee and spices. (It’s always worth doing a quick price per pound cost comparison to check, because stores will vary.)
- You can buy any amount, which allows the curious chefs among us to try out a new ingredient without purchasing it packaged up; such flexibility also lessens the likelihood of wasting food.
- A study on buying in bulk from Portland State University* found that if Americans purchased just coffee and almonds in bulk for one year, it would keep more than 300,000,000 pounds of waste out of landfills.
- It takes energy to create packaging materials. About 23 percent of the energy used in the food production process goes towards processing and packaging, according to Sustainabletable.org. Choose minimal packaging, and minimally processed foods.
Want to make buying in bulk even greener? Give your old spice jars, mason jars or saved plastic containers a great second life. In my experience, stores will allow you to bring your own containers to fill up. Just remember to have them weigh it empty first.
If you forget to bring your own (this is something I am working on), plan to eventually reuse the containers or bags you bring home.
A final note: I have focused here on whole food items, but consider purchasing any thing you use with regularity in bulk/large packaging—paper towels and toilet paper (made from recycled paper!), and cleaning supplies, for example. Some progressive, sustainably-focused stores even offer refills on cleaning solutions.
The final step will be posted later this week. In the meantime, check out steps one, two and three.
-Jesse Nankin
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*The Portland State University study was funded by the industry trade group Bulk is Green Council. MBA candidates from the university conducted the research, and maintained control over the study’s design and execution.
Eco-Maineia 