Canvas bags, tupperware, and pasta containers.

These are the staple items that my roommates bring when they go on their weekly grocery trips.
Whenever I walk into Safeway or Trader Joe’s, there is nothing in my hands but a purse and a shopping list. I come out victorious, heavily loaded with plastic bags. It never even crossed my mind until a few years ago how wasteful these seemingly convenient plastic containers can be. Marketing and PR strategies that promote eco-friendly practices that make the decision to recycle an easier option have become part of a society standard.

In London, there is a store called “Unpackaged” , which operates on the concept of lessening wasteful items and creating an increasingly environmental society. A grocery store that aims to help its customers help the environment, they do not sell any of their products in packages and strongly encourage customers to bring their own containers and reusable bags for their purchases.

“Unpackaged” reasons that unnecessary packaging is a waste because, “Unnecessary packaging increases the price of the goods you buy. It means you are charged twice; first when you buy over packaged goods and then through your council tax to dispose of your rubbish.” This unnecessary waste gets dumped into landfills, which are major pollutants for humans and the environment because they release greenhouse gases.

Simple practices like eliminating unnecessary waste help society realize that it’s the small steps that eventually turn into habits and nurture awareness of the growing environmental issues that we are faced with today. So start spreading the word and help keep the planet green.

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