Move Towards A Circular Economy: Bring Your Own Bag to the grocery store

Consumers face an uphill battle with reduction of waste – you need to make purchases, you don’t have time to research every detail, and new products are often produced irresponsibly and covered in unnecessary and wasteful packaging.

How can you – the consumer – help move us to a circular economy? There are small steps and extreme steps, but it’s doable on some level for all of us. Here are a few ideas.

  1. Recycle – sounds easy! We’ve been doing this for more than thirty years in many places. But do it consistently! Fill your recycling bins properly and get them placed out.
  2. Fix items when they break. Until it’s hanging on for dear life, you can repair it, usually saving money and always going a little easier on the planet.
  3. Buy used. An easy way to not contribute to consumerism is to buy used but good condition items, from clothing to appliances, cars, and homes.
  4. Say no to the bag. Plastic bags are one of many single-use plastics that often end up in landfills or the ocean. Bring your own reusable bags when you go shopping.
  5. Reject items with excess plastic or packaging. This is hard at first – it’s everywhere – but it becomes a game. Do you need the item covered in layers and layers of plastic before you can even get into it? Do you need something made from plastic when paper, glass, or metal might suit equally? Don’t purchase online from retailers who send several items in multiple packages or wrapped in tons of excessive plastic and packaging. You’ll find you use the recycle bin less and less once you become accustomed to this particular action.
  6. Finally – let retailers and manufacturers know why you’re opting out! If you’re buying in bulk or refusing an over-packaged item, or choosing a used replacement for a brand new toaster that quit after two months, they need to get the message. With your input, and maybe a few others’, they’ll change their wasteful ways.

Consumers may feel like this is a battle beyond their control – but truthfully, consumer purchasing controls EVERYTHING. Choose responsible items with responsible packaging and drop a note to manufacturers when you decline based on waste consciousness.