When taking on a new eco-challenge, it’s smart to have a plan in place. I did it when I made major changes before like stopping all paper towel use and instigating reusable grocery bags. Since my next big challenge is to cut out more packaging, I’m in the process of planning which hopefully will increase my household’s chances for success.
My game-plan to cut out more packaging is pretty simple…
- Locate areas in my house where we are buying too much packaging.
- Decide what we could buy un-packaged (i.e. using reusable bulk bags or containers).
- Get enough containers and reusable bulk bags (I don’t have enough on hand right now).
- Talk to the rest of the household about packaged goods and what they’re willing to cut and not cut.
- Start using those containers and bags more and buying packaged stuff less.
The whole reason to have a plan is one, so that I have some clear cut ideas to work with and two, so that the plan is in the back of my mind when I go shopping. Also, I have no idea how many reusable containers and bags I’ll need to pull this off. It seems like a lot.
The rooms I’m going to green audit for packaging include:
- My bathroom.
- The kids bathroom.
- The kitchen pantry.
- The cleaning cupboard.
If I can cut out at least 80% of the current packaging I have in these areas I’ll be pretty darn happy. I should have some success because I used to be much better about packaging. For years I bought only bulk soaps and baking goods as well as many other food items. Over the last couple of years I’ve gotten away from that. Next up, I’m going to make some lists of the packaged goods I have in these rooms noted above and post them so I can keep track of what changes I realistically can make.
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