I’ve been working towards zero waste for a few years. I’ve been learning about how to shop so that you use or waste less plastic while doing groceries. Over the years, I’ve built a few good habits that help me reduce waste while shopping, and I’m here to offer you some tips. Build your own well-stocked pantry with this list of zero waste pantry staples.
Since starting my Zero Plastic experiment, I’ve been doing a lot more shopping at the local bulk store. I used to see this particular bulk store only as a place to shop for cheap cake decorating items or binge-worthy drive-in movie snacks.
Now I see the bulk store as a way of not only reducing my family’s dependence on plastic but also a place to buy quality products for less.
DID YOU KNOW? You can bring your own clean reusable containers to Bulk Barn?
Find out how to shop waste-free at bulk bin stores.
I’ve also talked in the past about how expensive eco-friendly products are in my post about The Inconvenient Truth of Going Green, but sticking around long enough, I see that it’s not all expensive. Knowing how and where to shop can actually make a large impact on the family budget.
The beauty of shopping at a bulk store is that you buy only what you need and how much you need, creating less waste, and protecting your wallet at the same time. As a bonus, some items, such as spices and seasonings are actually much cheaper to buy at bulk stores than at a regular grocery store.
Download your Zero-Waste Pantry Basics Shopping List from the Resource Centre
Basic Zero Waste Pantry Staples
| Pantry Staple | |
| Baking | Baking soda |
| Chocolate chips | |
| Corn starch | |
| Cocoa powder | |
| All-purpose flour | |
| Honey | |
| Rolled oats | |
| Sugar | |
| Spices | Dried basil |
| Dried chives | |
| Dried oregano | |
| Italian seasoning mix | |
| Paprika | |
| Pepper | |
| Salt | |
| Taco seasoning | |
| Cooking | Couscous |
| Jasmine rice | |
| Dried lentils | |
| Dried pasta (macaroni, penne, spaghetti) | |
| Quinoa | |
| Other | Coffee |
| Honey | |
| Dried fruit | |
| Loose-leaf tea | |
| Nuts (peanuts, pecans, walnuts) | |
| Peanut butter | |
| Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, flax) |
Download your Zero Waste Pantry Basics List from the Resource Centre
Shopping zero waste for the first few times might seem intimidating, but armed with the clean containers and your basic zero waste pantry staples list makes it a breeze.
If you like this post, you might also like:
- 1 Week Eco-Challenge
- The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffers
- 5 Tips On Managing Change When Going Plastic-Free
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