Zero Waste Grocery Shopping Tips + Haul

[@jackimiller8511]

Carrying a beautiful loaf of bread home in a soft cloth sack makes it seem so much more precious than when its in crinkly cellophane.

[@trishgibbons8726]

Absolutely xx

[@amaanfredericks8447]

Hi my name is Amaan and I live in south africa.I am 14 and my family isn't really into sustainable living I get discouraged because I don't have the resources to persue my mission.But your videos inspire me to carry on and I am slowly transitioning to zero waste and becoming a vegan

[@rootedinplants]

Yes I can recall living with my parents and going vegan, it tough when family/parents don't support you. Try to show them different documentaries like Cowspiracy, Fork Over Knives, A Plastic Ocean and hopefully that will help a little. xx

[@blueollis]

That’s fantastic to hear! Thank you for your inspiring comment. Making sustainable changes whilst being surrounded by people not with the same mindset can be challenging but so important to spark that conversation and make an important impact on others. Keep inspiring!

[@vi4269]

Keep going I'm in the same situation but I'm 13 , good luck I guess lol!!!!

[@georgiahubbard9332]

Amaan, where in SA do you live because in CPT there is a few resources around there

[@kalimccormick5995]

Don't give up! When I first went veg my family was so negative towards me. I was discouraged, made fun of, ridiculed etc. Now, a little less than four years later four out of six of my family members are plant-based and living more sustainable in so many other ways and even my grandparents ended up going vegetarian. I'm grateful for my situation and I know everyone doesn't always have that outcome but all I can say is keep going and people will learn from you.

[@tinytofubunny]

I love that you acknowledge that a sustainable lifestyle isn't about perfection, but rather about trying our best with whatever we have access to. It's easy to get disheartened when there are so many social issues to be mindful of. But if we can be realistic and know that we're doing the best that we can wherever we are, that's what matters most.

[@SineadDavies]

martinadoom yes I love this message too ❤️❤️

[@izy9911]

yes

[@abby3215]

little fact: take the single bananas because they're more likely to be tossed out since most people only buy bunches :)

[@steph4691]

Good tip!

[@Prancer1231]

And buy the overly ripe ones and use them quickly or freeze them.

[@Framlii]

@@Prancer1231 what for?

[@someone-ml8mx]

@@Framlii I assume bc those would be thrown away soon if not bought, buying them would reduce food waste🤗

[@Victory_n_Jesus]

I love that someone else does this! I coach girls' flag football and my girls noticed their bananas were never together and I explained why. A couple get it that way now :)

[@limiii96]

I always buy tofu at my local asian supermarket where I can get it without packaging. They have a huge bucket with lots of tofu blocks they make fresh and if you bring your own container you can buy them without plastic 😊

[@shannon7778]

lisamichalsky is that all Asian markets?

[@Geoffrey454]

I wish that was an option at the Asian markets near me

[@MoryBeebee]

And you can buy more of it and then freeze it at home. I defrost when I need some for a recipe and it's just as good as fresh :)

[@gizzysinem]

Where is this? I was looking for something like this. I only found Biona organic selling tofu in jars, which is better then plastic packaging

[@emmaliuser]

instead of buying nut butters in plastic you can make them at home! just buy some peanuts, almonds, or any other type of nut and blend it in the blender. they usually don’t need oil and you can add flavorings if you want to.

[@jenwylie4093]

My mom used to buy tofu from an asian market. They sold multiple blocks in a big tin. I haven't seen it sold in a tin since the 90's. It's crazy how much more packaging has been added in the last 10, 20, 30 years.

[@lovelywhispersasmr4349]

I love that you emphasize that no one is perfect and it is really difficult to live completely zero waste but as long as you are doing your best and always looking for better options, you ARE helping the planet!

[@CarlyBelle2219]

When she said “there’s nothing wrong with them, they’re just unique.” I felt that shit. 🤙🏼

[@blueollis]

☺️ aren’t we all.

[@gundimytube]

Please make a video on what palm oil is, what are its impacts, where they are commonly found and how to avoid it!

[@davidthescottishvegan]

Basically if you consume any processed foods (vegan or non vegan) there's a chance it will contain palm oil so avoid it by consuming a vegan whole plants foods based diet.

[@Oatmilllk]

@FollowRighteousnessNotMe. Ftw Most vegan foods these days are substituted with vitamin B12 so try it again :) Im vegan and i have more energy than I've ever had, i also used to be anaemic and I'm not anymore since being vegan at the beginning of this year :)

[@Oatmilllk]

Edit* not most, but a lot. =)

[@svetlanikolova7673]

buy bulk and learn to cook.

[@_blacksunflowers_1384]

Palm oil is avoided by many because they also treat their food workers very unfairly. I heard to be careful of Nutella (besides have a crazy amount of sugar), may contain palm oil

[@lizwelu2144]

If you have a vitamix or other high power blender you should try making your own peanut butter. It’s so much cheaper. It comes out to less than $2 per jar!

[@AndreaAvila78]

Great tip!

[@hellooutthere8956]

WoW how much a lb do you pay for peanuts? Wht is your recipi?

[@JessiicaxXOXx]

Love seeing zero waste people who don't beat themselves up for making a mistake or not being perfect. Well done!

[@bajaboolie]

Consider placing the unused spice in a temporary jar at home then putting it back on top when you get home, so your spices stay fresh.

[@arirhodes3828]

Hi, am a 17 year old from New Zealand. My country is such a clean beautiful country, and I want to do my part to keep it that way. Zero waste seems incredibly daunting, like you said, because of this linear enconomey that we live in. I really appreciate seeing a realistic view of zero waste living, and this inspires me to keep striving to live a sustainable life. :) xxxx

[@lourdsc4052]

We have here in Switzerland lots of frozen fruits and veggies in cardboard packaging 🙂

[@kindregardskatie]

Unfortunately in Australia, the frozen stuff comes in plastic 😫

[@00000materialization]

In Germany as well :) I always try to opt for that.

[@danbutonyoutube]

Jealous... haven’t found that in England :(

[@Prancer1231]

We used to in the USA but I don't see them anymore. Everything is in plastic.

[@Framlii]

@@00000materialization idk if you mean it is in plastic or not but look in lidl

[@MrElliottDavies]

Instead of buying the tins of coconut milk, I'd highly recommend buying the jars of Lucy bee's creamed coconut. It may seem expensive but if I remember correctly, after adding water, you can make about 5l of tinned coconut milk from that or ever more if you wanted to make the drinking kind of coconut milk. Then once you're done, you'll be able to use the jar to store something 🙂

[@beautifuldarling]

Making peanut butter from scratch at home in a blender is actually really simple. And there's loads of fun recipes (or just peanuts). I just made flax seed, chia seed, pumpkin seed butter (with olive oil and some sea salt). The possibilities are endless and these ingredients were all bulk foods so no plastic at all. I enjoy your. Videos and believe sustainable living is so important

[@blueollis]

Yummm. This sounds so delicious! I must try it out more! Thank you for your comment.

[@thebatridesagain]

Pumpkin seed butter sounds amazing. I'm imagining it on toast and it tasting fantastic.

[@Meerakathakdancer]

@Maroxa’s Choices with homemade peanut butter I have never faced any problem. You have to roast the peanuts first if you really want the peanut flavor. After making the butter in the food processor, I just keep it in a glass jar with a tight lid and I don't need to keep it in the fridge. My jar lasts me about 3 months I'd say. And I live in India so we have quiet hot temperatures. You only might need to run a spoon in the jar before using it if the oil separated...

[@sirih9012]

You can do the same with sesame seed to get Tahini 🙂

[@jonsmith1271]

I find buying local (locally grown) and SEASONAL helps dramatically at cutting down on waste ,,,but then I live in the north of the country where the phrase 'more brass than sense' is commonly used

[@PurplePixie333]

Try making your own tahini,... It is literally just sesame seeds, which can be bought in bulk, and a small amount of olive oil...blend or run thru a coffee grinder...

[@lone6718]

We used to sell bulk tofu in our local coop. I think we stopped because of an issue with cleanliness. We had a hard time getting customers to follow rotation rules and needs with utensils and such. I think there was another issue too, but I can’t remember what it was. I know other coops were able to figure out how to display and house their tofu in a better way for bulk. This is in the NW US btw.

[@Sugarfoxi]

I'd be really curious to know how much this costs versus a plastic packaged version, :)

[@rootedinplants]

Yes this would be interesting, I've been striving to cut down on my plastic as well but half of the stuff I get comes in plastic, strawberries, blueberries, a lot of frozen fruit for smoothies. Its hard.

[@forestdweller3210]

I agree! It intensely annoys me when supermarkets (yes, Sainsbury's, you know you do it) have an end display full of special offer fruit and vegetables and almost all of the items are in pointless plastic packaging!

[@loueze011]

Zoë Georgia yes I would too. I try and shop plastic free once a month because it’s always a lot more expensive. I have a tight budget for a family of four so I often find myself in Aldi because I can’t afford plastic free every week which is a real shame xx

[@blueollis]

Great suggestion! My shops are definitely cheaper this way, but would be great to detail that in a future video.

[@LilLilacc]

I have had a really hard time with this being a college student working on barely above minimum wage. Then, on top of that I live in the U.S. mid-west, away from a large city, so it is very expensive and hard to find zero waste products. Sometimes, it can be very discouraging, but we get by with what we can do with what we have and I think that's really important to remember!

[@EvanescenceGirly]

In Germany you can find unpackaged tofu in some asian supermarkets. They store bigger blocks of tofu in a plastic container filled with water and you can tell the staff how much you need and they cut it for you. They normally then put your slice of tofu in a plastic bag but if you bring like a glass container/tupperware with you, you can skip the little plastic bag and they place it directly in your box. I found a shop that does so but others have them already pre-packaged. Maybe you have an asian supermarket to check out. :)

[@forestdweller3210]

This is so cool!

[@laurensimonelli5654]

It would be really helpful if you could do a video on the best way to properly store non-packaged foods.

[@graciedoll8994]

Also buying bigger plastic containers makes it more Likely the recycling facility can actually process it, smaller and thinner things such as bottle caps and plastic bags tend to get filtered out earlier on in the process

[@marissa769]

Lovely video! So important to remind ourselves that not being 100% perfect is okay... but striving for constant improvement is the important part!

[@adagioborntrager4456]

I’m thankful that you openly show us the things you buy that aren’t plastic free. The reality is that that lifestyle just isn’t always attainable, the point is to create less plastic! It’s refreshing and encouraging to see that every bit helps, thank you 🙏

[@margueriteseraphinoff2614]

Just a tip after you expressed looking for a solution with nut butters. You can make your own nut butters at home by buying nuts from bulk stores and then blend them in a Ninja or Vitamix. Its super yummy!

[@abigailhoekstra3195]

the only thing about bringing already partially full jars to the bulk store is that then you arent following FIFO (first in first out) so youre using the newer product first and the older product last. I guess that doesn't matter too much with dried goods though

[@GitsieGames]

There is a farm shop near me in West Yorkshire that sells frozen fruit loose, you just scoop into your containers straight from the freezer - it's amazing and really doesn't impact on taste. It's about 12p more expensive per 100g.

[@LiLBitsDK]

yeah that's the odd thing... bulk buying shouldn't be more expensive for the same item... they save the packaging but still turn up the price

[@shirelife8002]

I have wanted to become zero waste with food but you have opened my eyes to be very aware of the packaging also. I don’t know why this hasn’t crossed my mind because it’s so obvious that we should be doing this. Thank you so much for the tips and the advice to give your self some grace when things don’t always work out the way you hoped it would.

[@blueollis]

The things that are now obvious to us weren’t always obvious to us and the things we think are obvious are not to other people. That’s why talking and sharing ideas is great!

[@christinekee8455]

Thank you for teaching me through yr life. It may be common sense to those practising but not to many that are just starting out. Thank you for making this video.

[@dukannstmichma]

Such a great video! I could watch zero waste shopping all day! I find it so interesting to see different shops from different countries.

[@donnatingley]

Loved seeing what you eat and cook. Recipes and discuss what you buy and what for will be inspiring.

[@lou7250]

Thank you for this video. It has really inspired me to start living with less waste. Very helpful to see you do your shop and what you find difficult to by without waste. I haven’t seen you before, but will keep watching. I like that you are being honest about not always getting it 100% perfect. You are not patronising or berating people if they can’t get it 100% and you recognise it is not always easy. Keep up the good work!

[@Luizam55]

I live in a small city in Brazil so it's hard sometimes to find unpackaged things that I need (rice, beens, etc) but one thing that I do recommend is buying seasonally and locally!! It's so important and, well, I bet that England doesn't have that many orange trees for example, so for you to be consuming them there, there's a big big chance that they've been shipped there (probably from here!) and that is very wasteful as well. Maybe consult your supermarket for foods that are grown there or in other parts of Europe, which are easier/less wasteful to be taken to England than Brazilian oranges, Indian tea and other stuff like that.

[@theoretically09]

I like that you talk a bit about not beating yourself up for the packaging you bring into the home! Like, see how much less plastic you produce now, compared to the "normal way of life"! Thats great :D

[@blueollis]

It's all about consistent improvement.

[@ash4794]

My favorite part of buying things in glass is re-using the jars for storing items I buy from bulk bins, like rice etc etc

[@melf800]

Thankfully here in Germany a lot of frozen fruit comes in cardboard boxes, especially the organic varieties. And some beans and other legumes you can usually find in glass jars. In Spain it was even better, they had nearly every variety of beans, corn, asparagus etc in huge glass jars. Edit: I just realized that you can also get tofu and tempeh in glass jars here. It’s great.

[@janini1232]

mel mel Most of the cardboard boxes are lined with plastic in my experience. Can you recommend a german brand/ supermarket that has good packaging for frozen fruit? And do you mean tofu and tempeh in germany or spain? Either way, can you tell me where? 😂🙈

[@Stuffings00]

Biona brand in jars is available in the UK, but will depend where you live.

[@whoisappie]

I love learning more about zero waste grocery shopping! For Dutch people out there: yesterday I received my first order from Puurberzorgd! It's an online bulk store that delivers straight to your kitchen. Good tip because there aren't that many option yet in the Netherlands as far as I know...

[@kristimmerman732]

Thanks for the tip, but it seems they only deliver in Rotterdam at the moment. 😭

[@whoisappie]

@@kristimmerman732 True, forgot to mention that :( where are you from?

[@kristimmerman732]

@@whoisappie Steenwijk, so I do not think they will deliver here anytime soon. But maybe, one day.. 😀

[@alittlepinkfish]

One tip for tofu that is available in my area - Portland, Oregon - is to buy it directly from a tofu producer. Mine lets customers bring their own container. Unfortunately, their hours aren't the greatest, so a bunch of folks got together and organized a tofu delivery share. Pretty exciting!

[@sofie5521]

I think frozen fruit in some supermarkets come in cardboard boxes. In Germany is that the case so maybe look in lidl or aldi or something

[@manuelafrs]

In Portugal too.

[@CharlotteEverett]

Definitely not the case here in the UK unfortunately. In Aldi here it is plastic. Haven’t seen cardboard packages here.

[@sofie5521]

@@CharlotteEverett that's a pity!

[@CharlotteEverett]

Sofie W Yeah it sucks!

[@juliaa.9870]

It‘s lined with plastic - so it‘s even worse because it can‘t be recycled :( Ich arbeite mit Papier: Reiß so eine Packung auf und guck dir die Rissspuren an, das ist kein reines Papier - leider - und es gehört in den Restmüll.

[@tanyavohra39]

How smoothly does the interaction at the cash register go with the mushrooms in a cloth bag? Do they weigh them just the same as they would if you used the plastic bags? Do the cashiers every make a fuss?

[@blueollis]

It’s the same as when you buy in the provided brown paper bags. It’s so light it doesn’t add much if anything at all to the cost and they sell loose items so they are happy to sell them to you. I’ve never had any bother in my 29 years!

[@mommaperez]

Chinese supermarkets sell huge containers of tofu cheap and I cut up and freeze x

[@shannon7778]

Tracey P does tofu freeze ell? How do you thaw?

[@Stuffings00]

Shannon Jones overnight on the fridge. a little firmer, but still good!

[@rosie7028]

I’m currently using up all my packaged beauty and cleaners , so I can then switch to solids and refillables, and even though I’m still using plastic , it feels so good as I know I’m doing it for a good outcome , I can’t wait to switch it’s going to feel fantastic !

[@maryhobbs9507]

Field Fare sell loose frozen fruit and veg in UK Farm shops. They have a store locator on their website. 😎

[@thehippydippycrazychickenl8563]

Just found your channel and subbed! Great vid. I have a tip for the Olives. I used to love buying all the fancy olives in those plastic tubs in oil and herbs etc & now that I shop more consiously, I buy the jars of olives like you have. What I then do it make my own fancy olives with the ones from the jar. So I put some in a container and put in some oil, garlic powder/dry spices or fresh basil from windowseal herbs, some salt and pepper and you have your own zero waste fancy olives. Its a game changer!

[@HalloHannah]

In Germnay, we have frozen fruit in cardboard boxes rather than loose. Maybe you can try searching for the ones in cardboard:)

[@blueollis]

I can’t wait for the U.K. to implement something like that! It must be soon.

[@plauditecives]

You could cook your own chickpeas (easy to do) and eliminate the tins. And coconut milk is simple to make -- all you need is desiccated coconut, hot water, a blender and a nut bag (though I use a Japanese filter bag.). Peanut butter also easy to make.

[@julzs7493]

You can get olive oil in large tins that you can decant into a glass bottle.

[@miabrown7304]

Hi everyone! I work as a cashier and just a tip instead of printing out labels for produce and bulk foods write them down in your notes on your phone:) It makes it easier for the cashier and for you! Love the video thank you❤️

[@tiredapplestar]

Wonderful video! I would love to see an online shop. I haven’t seen many of those.

[@antoniaford3433]

That bulk store is so gorgeous! I really appreciate the message you included at the end around not feeling guilty for having limited access to zero waste options. I think the social media-induced guilt is very real for a lot of people and the truth is that buying in bulk is becoming trendier and trendier and, as a result, can exclude certain groups. You provided great tips about how to create a circular economy in the midst of a linear system. For me, I have access to these options and means to take advantage of them. This video was a great reminder to take the extra time and spend a little extra money in some instances to do my part for the planet. Thank you!

[@blueollis]

This is such an important topic for me. There's so much stigma around living 'zero-waste' as the name alone can be very misleading. In order to move forwards sustainably and towards a world I know I want to be part of we need to cultivate compassion, ease, mindfulness and understanding. It's going to take self-reflection and empathy with others but that's a beautiful thing. We must acknowledge that we don't all have the same amenities and we don't all start from the same point. But we can all help each other grow and do better. That's always true. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.

[@liozzyM]

Very good video, I live in London and its sooooo overwhelming to see the food packaging waste everywhere

[@beepboop1391]

In US Asian grocers, I can find loose tofu. I think most mid-sized cities have a couple, but you’ll have to look for it. The bigger the market, the better. The smaller ones will likely only carry packaged, like in the video. The tofu is usually stored in a big tub full of water, and they provide tongs. I just bring an air-tight container or reuse a plastic bag.

[@emilymamos]

loved this video! I’m trying to decrease my family’s impact and shop more sustainably, so it’s great to see an approach that’s realistic.

[@user-sy7ni6dz4k]

I am 2.5 hours away from the closest box or big bin store. My local grocery stores don't have bulk bins and my farmers market doesn't sell beans, rice, etc. What do you suggest to reduce plastic waste? I try to get fruits and veggies (no bags) but dairy, snacks, and dry goods are mostly packaged in plastic. Even the closest health store (35 miles away) only has 5 different kinds of beans available without packaging

[@blueollis]

Often when we make the decision to live outside of "normal" society in this way we must compromise and perhaps even give up some of our conveniences. This means not always having access to everything we want, but we can enjoy living with the things we do have access to and find more creative ways to enjoy them. However, it is also important to keep in mind that we musn't suffer as a result of our societal linear design and not to be too hard on ourselves for buying wasteful items when nothing else is available to us. Keeping things in perspective is important, too, and making sure we're focusing on the bigger picture. For example, the best thing we can do for the environment (as well as our personal and collective health and to reduce worldwide suffering as much as possible as an individual) is to eat a plant-based diet. That means eliminating dairy, eggs and animal meat from our diet which is more impactful and valuable than giving up plastic.

[@111-k4d9m]

Hi Blue, Thanks for this insight into your shopping habits. Great and useful tips. Luckily in Switzerland, there is no need to buy frozen or much packaged food. I am also trying to live plastic free, as far as is possible. In winter fresh berries or fruit is frightfully expensive. But food is my priority so I just pay. Swiss dentists are against tooth powders or homemade toothpaste. Mine informed me to consider what will ones teeth looks like in say their late 60's and older. So this is a very open question to me. Enjoyed this video and would love a follow up whenever. All the best.

[@Erlrantandrage]

Thank you for being honest about the fact that we live in a linear economy and that being perfect isn't always possible when you're trying to nourish yourself. No questions just encouragement, keep doing what you do because being honest, forthright, and open about your struggles and your success will help us all!

[@blueollis]

Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I'm always here to share my entire journey with you, not just the 'pretty' bits.

[@aliceimbucherland8348]

Thank you so much for this.We must treat our Planet with Respect and Love❤

[@immythorpe3447]

For laundry you can buy Indian soap nuts from a local market or online and using a guppy friend laundry bag will prevent the microfibres from the materials of your clothes going into the water

[@birgitkrumbach]

if you have a food processor it's actually really easy to make your own peanut butter! it's way cheaper than buying in the supermarket and you can probably find loose peanuts near you 😊

[@blueollis]

Thank you! I’ve been meaning to make more of my own.

[@donnaadkins2429]

If you have a large garden centre like Dobbies near you, they sell frozen fruit loose in large chest type freezers.

[@shantikeet]

I live in alaska and there is zero glass recycling here. 😭 I have boxes of glass containers I dont wanna through away I dont know what to do

[@blueollis]

I love using glass containers for storage, vases and refrigerating leftovers. Perhaps you could also campaign for better recycling systems.

[@katherinegingrich6017]

So many craft ideas as well! Great for pickling/vinegars/ect

[@meganobyrne7876]

Some little tips from a uk shopper - Big shops sell a tofu which comes in cardboard packaging called Tofoo- usually found in the fridge isle. Meridian peanut butter comes in jars in smaller form which is better than buying the large plastic option, despite it being cheaper. And I think the company “Orgran” do lasagne sheets in a completely cardboard box, their products are sold in health food shops :)

[@donnatingley]

Thank you so much!!! Very very very helpful!

[@bellashwing]

"Theres nothing wrong with these items, they're just unique" ❤ love that

[@user-wc6bl4zs4i]

Remember what it was like to shop without a mask and being able to actually touch items in shops?? 😫

[@jennmannhardt]

It's super easy to make your own nut butters! All you need is a food processor. I roast the nuts for a bit to help soften them up and get some extra flavor, then add them to the food processor and let it do it's thing. It will take a few mins but you wont need to add anything else too it even though it might seem like you will, eventually it will smooth out.

[@emilyb41]

Make tahini in a blender. So easy and so much cheaper.

[@sueturner8122]

Emily B it seems to me the hardest part is getting all the tahini out of the blender and then trying not to use too much water washing the sticky stuff off the sides and bottom of the blender - this puts me off making tahini and nut butters - any suggestions?

[@kaylaswisher8088]

In the USA we have a stour called sprouts where there’s a nut butter station where you can make your own and pour it in your own jar

[@janetplanet73]

I live in the southern US and it's not very sustainable. But improving.

[@blueollis]

We can all do what’s available to us whilst campaigning for better systems around us.

[@rhondacurrier4592]

My husband and I just started making our own peanut butter in a food processor and with a bit of honey from our local orchard. It's amazing! This Christmas I want to make nut butters for gifts. You are precious!

[@blueollis]

That’s a great idea (minus the honey which I would steer clear of!).

[@whoisappie]

It is good to know though you aren't perfect either :)

[@joehoward12]

Not sure if you’ve found any yet but Try farm shops for your frozen fruit. We’re 40 mins north of London and lots of our farm shops have frozen fruit and veg in there freezer that you pick your own.

[@lindahartman4543]

just came across your channel. I'm impressed! If you're in a larger city or will be in a larger city, always check out the ethnic markets. Asian markets often have tofu, sprouts, veg, fruits in bulk and at very good prices.Also the Indian makets have great selection of grain in paper or reuseable cloth sacks. Bring at least one of those pesky plastic peanut butter tubs for tofu! By the way, Lasagana noodles are the easiest to make. I use soaked ground flax seed or chia seed as a gluey egg replacement. Flax doesn't dicolor the dough as much.

[@mondaytuesday1202]

Tofu in the UK: Chinese Supermarkets sell it without packaging- usually kept in the fridges in a tub of water, keep it the same at home. Also a great place to get other stuff vegans like and bulk buy

[@heidieho4470]

Thanks for sharing your practical ideas that help us ease into a new world of more thoughtful existence together.

[@blueollis]

🙏🏻

[@ChristinaBooks]

A garden centre near me in Wales has a food hall and they stock Field Fare who do loose fruit and veg. I've found the stock to be hit or miss so it's not a total solution but there could be one near you. They have a stockist search on their website.

[@forestdweller3210]

Field Fare is ace!

[@mellyq92]

My closest grocery store finally started using bulk bins then quarantine happened and they got rid of them for safety.

[@steph4691]

That's unusual what you said about the peanut butter as I always see it in glass containers. It is not the big tubs of it as they are always in plastic but if you want a nut butter not in plastic there are loads available

[@thepoormansguidetothegalax3981]

Have you considered growing your own raspberries? Poundland has raspberry plants for 1£ and they come in cardboard containers. They're easy to grow and don't need a lot of space. I grow my own strawberries, blackcurrants and herbs, and I have access to A TON of wild blackberries and wild apples.

[@Escapetehcube]

Make sure you're grabbing the single bananas... Those typically get wasted! Also, nut butters are SO easy to make ♥️

[@tls8688]

Local bulk stores here demand that your refill bottles are thoroughly washed before taking them to their bins. I’m glad they make shoppers clean their bottles first and not bring partially used products or dirty jars back in.

[@blueollis]

That’s simple and easy!

[@jojomojo6569]

Both peanut butter and tahini is super easy to make with a blender, seriously a few minutes is all you need and it keeps well.

[@madadae992]

You could also try to make your own peanut butter! It’s really easy as long as you have some sort of blender/food processor

[@abiriches7661]

The Store on Ditchling Road on the Fiveways junction is a relatively new bulk store- it's brilliant. They have a "churn your own nut butter" station along with amazing sustainable extra virgin olive oil sailed over by a local from Portugal. They also make fresh alternative milks to order daily. Highly recommend them - my new discovery. x

[@abiriches7661]

Also I really recommend getting a weekly veg box of organic, seasonal fruit and or veg in many sizes; sourced from local farms and run by a couple in Burwash. I use Simply Veg and they deliver to my area on Thursdays - minimal waste too. www.simply-veg.co.uk/seasonal/

[@blueollis]

Thank you! Do you know the name of this store?

[@abiriches7661]

Blue Ollis literally called The Store haha x

[@Zophline]

For the tofu I could recommend you, to go to an Asian supermarket, I'm from Germany and in the Asian shop we go to, they do sell firm tofu in a large container, so you can get as much tofu blocks as you need and pack them either in the container brought with you or use the plastic wrap they provide. Btw loved your video :) so many great tips.

[@ashleykessler5003]

You have absolutely changed the way that I’m going to shop in the future. Thank you.

[@blueollis]

Ahh, amazing!

[@imanicaglar]

Hey for loose pasta and frozen fruits I would have a look in a m&s they have started to do some bulk sections they also do this for coffee and a bunch of nuts and grains aswell. I’m not sure how many of the stores have been updated but it’s worth a look

[@nicolem2004]

For frozen fruit I usually go to the market where the fruit comes in a plastic tray and then freeze the fruit in my own reusable containers

[@anniekochera]

as mentioned earlier about Asian stores for Tofu, here in the U.S. in our Asian stores have a wide variety of loose produce items, and they are a lot cheaper than the local grocery store.

[@ohokaythen4991]

Hi. So their is a store called Whole Foods or Fresh Thyme and they sell loose peanut and almond butter. So that way you can get it in bulk instead of plastic.

[@blueollis]

Good to know! I’ll keep an eye out for something similar near me (although will also be trying to make my own at home with loose bought nuts).

[@marion220789]

Lovely video, thanks Blue. Did you know some main supermarkets in France now have a bulk isle for grains and beans etc. it's amazing! Can't wait for that to come to the UK as there are no bulk stores near me. I actually go to HISBE in Brighton when I visit my sister at uni. Wish there was one nearer to me!

[@blueollis]

That's fantastic! I'm looking forward to seeing more loose items available in mainstream supermarkets. The more we demand it the sooner we will see it! I avoid Hisbe because their ethics don't align with my own. They support cruel animal agriculture industries and promote eating animals alongside plastering highly offensive banners about them. They've been called out on their dodgy ethics and respond aggressively and with blatant lies. Instead I like to go to Harriet's, Infinity Foods and the Open Market.

[@gettintherejanice6216]

I had to take some steps backwards on the zerowaste sastinanable journey for this season of life and at first i was quite upset since then i have settled but but your video reminded me that I still could be doing more on the reuseable produce bags I have a shirt that I was going to send to a thrift store but I am going to make it into a produce bag for things like apples and bigger produce items cutting wholes in it to make a large mesh I wouldn't use it for carrots or luttuce but it onions beets and celery. I took a good look at the shirt that is now to big for me and I will be making two bags

[@annielikespineapples]

One thing I found is that during Lidl's XXL Week they do certain frozen fruits (blueberries, mango, and raspberries are the ones I remember) in cardboard boxes. Still packaging but it is less packaging than you would usually get. I've also started freezing and leftover fruits I don't think I'll get around to using to add to my stockpile in the freezer - they don't necessarily have as many nutrients in them as the flash frozen fruit you buy in the supermarket, but I mainly use them to add flavour to meals that tend to already have plenty good things jammed into them.

[@mollyleblanc9906]

In the US, some Kroger’s stores have bulk sections where they offer peanut butter and almond butter that you can put in any container you bring

[@myabreauxhansen2419]

I really love the mention on tetra packaging, just looked it up and am less confused on what can and cannot be recycled, also never thought of it being in a can so that’s great!

[@ellieilling]

I live in London I usually go to the big supermarket and get everything I can on my list and then if anything has been wrapped in plastic I just go to a local green groceries and get the stuff I couldn't get loose. Usually this is cheaper and you get it bigger too.

[@blueollis]

I do the opposite... I get everything I can from bulk stores, green grocers and independent shops and then top-up in the supermarket if I need something I can’t find elsewhere (which is rare). It means I’m more aware of what options are nearby and I’m able to support local, independent businesses more as well as save money and waste!

[@JillianSnabilie]

So satisfying to see you scoop the spices!

[@JillianSnabilie]

Maybe you have a foodprocessor? Make your own peanutbutter! I am sure you have a glass jar at home to store it in xx

[@konnad]

you can very very easily make peanut butter at home! i just roast the nuts in the oven and blend them in my blender until it’s nice and creamy. you can also chop up some extra nuts and mix them in to make it crunchy. (you can also do this with basically any other nuts/seeds)