Shopping is an integral part of our lives. We buy food, cosmetics, cleaning products, clothes and many other items. As we walk between the aisles in supermarkets, we see a huge amount of plastic, and products are packed in plastic wrap and disposable plastic bags. Fortunately, more and more people are conscious consumers who care about the planet. Is packaging-free shopping even possible?
Packaging-free shops - is this how the future is painted?
We are used to not having to worry about packing goods in shopping centres. We simply select the items, pay for them at the checkout and receive a bag. Even fruit and vegetables sold by weight end up in the ubiquitous plastic bags. It is worth knowing that plastic bags take between 100 and even 500 years to decompose, and that as many as one million bags are used per minute worldwide! Each of us has probably seen these bags in various places, as they are a major pollutant. For this reason, supermarkets have introduced a charge for bagging groceries and are creating carrier bags from recycled materials. More and more of us want to be eko and take care of the immediate environment.
In large cities, e.g. Warsaw or Krakow, package-free shops are already appearing. They sell only natural products from local producers. They make sure that each item serves the environment and generates a minimised amount of waste. All in the spirit of zero waste. In such places, you will find, for example, food by weight, natural cosmetics, organic cleaning products or various reusable accessories. More and more zero-waste shops are sure to emerge. The largest hypermarkets are also facing a revolution: their managers need to think about how to make shopping greener and put the new plan into practice. In the next few years, the eco approach will be very important and consumers will not want to shop in places where plastic is still 'king'.
Shop without packaging - a way to reduce waste
Manufacturers package their products tightly, which of course protects the products very well. On the other hand, we are forced to purchase a certain amount of the goods contained in the packaging. This is not always an advantage. What if we could decide for ourselves how much of an item we buy? Such a solution seems really great, as it will not only help to take care of the environment, but also to reduce expenses and prevent food waste. Of course, when going to the shop without packaging, we should provide our own containers and bags . We will purchase exactly as much as we need. By the way, we will not contribute to the production of further huge amounts of rubbish that are destroying our planet.
Be eco - shop consciously
Although the trend towards going green is already very strong, we will still have to wait for more packaging-free shops. Does this mean that we are left with no choice but to shop in the current way? On the contrary! From now on, a trip to the supermarket can become more environmentally friendly - there is no reason to wait! First of all, stop using carrier bags for good and replace them with reusable canvas bags. They are strong and will hold a large amount of goods - we won't notice the difference, which will be huge for the planet. A large wicker basket or capacious rucksack is also a good alternative to plastic nets. It is also worth carrying cotton bags for fruit and vegetables. What else can we do? We know excellent ways to shop ecologically. Here they are:
- before leaving home, create a list of items to buy - We buy far too much food and household goods, which increases the risk of wasting food. This can be avoided by going to the shop with a list ready - buy only what you need and save money in the process;
- read the labels - When we visit the supermarket, we focus on looking for products and quickly throw them into the basket. However, it is worth taking a moment and checking the information on the label. This will tell you under what conditions the item was produced and whether its packaging is recyclable;
- do not buy water in plastic bottles - Adequate hydration is very important, although we should also pay attention to the ecological aspect. Water in plastic bottles makes us generate a lot more rubbish at home. It is definitely better to drink from a filtered bottle or to filter it in special jugs;
- give up low-quality products - The market is inundated with various products at attractively low prices. Unfortunately, such goods often deteriorate and spoil quickly. Instead of them, it is worth betting on good quality articles, which will serve us much longer.
Packaging-free shops are slowly becoming a reality. An eco-friendly approach to shopping will allow us to take care of the planet and improve our quality of life.
