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Avoid excessive packaging

Day 5

We all know to avoid excessive packaging is a smart move. It has not only the environmental impact it has, but packaged foods contain ingredients that trigger weight gain and are just plain unhealthy. Even canned beans or tomatoes can be high in salt.

Besides, the chemicals in canned food leach into the food leading to hormonal imbalances. For instance, BPA and BPS, chemicals usually found in canned food, have been linked to estrogen dominance.

You know that you need to eat and buy less packaged food, but that can be pretty tough sometimes. Walking past the shiny aisle in the supermarket that wants to draw you in like a black hole in the universe.

The Problem

Foods like Apples, Bananas, Oranges all have their own natural packaging, so absolutely no need to package them in extra plastic.

If you are thinking of pre-made meals that you throw into the microwave, hmm, don’t. Let me tell you why.

The main reason for packaging food is for transport. Since we can have bananas in winter, they have to travel from far away. Not only does that contribute to CO2 emissions, but since the fruit has to be picked early, it also never gets to its natural ripeness on the tree or vine.

not enough sunlight = not enough vitamins

Through the long travel, the nutrients even decline.

The results are fruits and vegetables that are lower on vitamins and nutrition than grown locally.

The second reason is marketing. Companies can create and design the packaging to reflect the message and brand identity. Every orange has a sticker. Every bio banana now has a plastic ribbon to indicate it is bio. Do they know how backward this is?

I want my babana

Some packaging is created to communicate a message to the general public explaining how to use it, transport, recycle, or dispose of the product.

But hey, let’s put some fruits into a gas chamber for coloring and to enhance the ripening process. Really?

To me, that sounds weird. I prefer having an apple from our apple tree in the garden. No pesticides. No premature harvest and no milage. Sure they don’t always look perfect, but they taste a million times better than apples from the other side of the planet.

The second reason why you shouldn’t buy heavily packaged food is that the packaging ends up in landfills, in the ocean, or in incinerators. None of which are good options.

If you have been following us here for a while, you probably know that recycling doesn’t really work. Only 9 % is actually being recycled.

The third reason is that plastic is made with chemicals that can leach into the food or beverage it is supposed to protect.

Solution

Learn to say “NO” to packaged food and start buying food from your local farmer.

  1. Keeps the money in the community
  2. Supports local food
  3. Your food is fresh
  4. No mileage on your food or very little
  5. You are making a point in not buying plastic

You would be surprised how much buying power we as individuals have. Every new trend is vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, BPA free; the companies change accordingly. So if you stop buying spinach in plastic containers, eventually they will notice and sell it lose again. Until then, make friends with the bulk store around the corner.

Another option for the busy person is to order veggie boxes straight to your home. Most places offer these options where you can get a fruit and veg box delivered straight to your door once a week or a fortnight. The one in my area is organic, local, and only food that is in season. Win Win Win

Do

Go and search for the local bulk food store. Please make a list of the things right now where you think you can’t buy them without being packaged. For example, sauces. Can you get your favorite ketchup in a glass jar?

The Industries are already changing, and big companies are following to go zero waste.

Companies like Häagan Dazs, Pantene, Gillette, to name a few, have partnered with Loop to create a refund system with sustainable packaging.

How it works:

  • You shop your favorite brand through Loop
  • No membership fees, just a deposit for the reusable packaging
  • Get it delivered to your doorstep
  • Enjoy
  • Please put it back in the loop bag and schedule a free pick up
  • You don’t even need to clean anything

Currently only available in selected countries but soon worldwide

You see, change is happening, and if we all work together, we can get rid of excessive packaging and clean this mess up.

That’s your challenge for today. Go ahead and share it with your friends and family. And #zerowasteman on Instagram or wherever you follow us.

Thanks and see you tomorrow.

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