Minimising plastics in the weekly grocery shop takes a bit of forward planning – but it can be done. And Plastic Free July is the perfect time to give it a go!

Here are our top tips to get started. We suggest starting small with a couple of simple swaps and working your way up from there. It takes time to build new habits, so go easy on yourself if things don’t quite go according to plan.

Make a list

Start by writing a big shopping list of everything you need – then separate it out into the different shops you can get each item from (bulk food shop, butcher, bakery, greengrocer and supermarket). Yes, it takes a little bit longer, but you should be able to dramatically reduce your plastic packaging by going to specialty shops for the things you need.

Pack a bag

Here are some of the things you may like to take with you:

• Cloth bag for bread at the bakery
• Glass or stainless steel containers for meat and/or fish. Many butchers will be happy to put your purchases in a reusable container – and some may even offer a discount, like Weir’s in Nedlands.
• Mesh bags for fruit and veg (or just leave them loose)
• Jars and other containers for the bulk food store. Lightweight options like tins or ice-cream containers will make your shopping experience easier.
• Large tote bags to get everything from the trolley to the car

Hit the bulk store

Bulk stores allow you to bring your own containers to refill, so you can buy just the amount you need, without any single-use packaging at all. Most bulk stores carry a wide range of pantry staples, like legumes, grains, baking ingredients, spices, nuts, dried fruit, teas, sweets, olive oil and more, as well as cleaning and bathroom products. Some will have an online catalogue, so you can see what they stock and get your containers ready in advance. If not, it may take some trial and error to work out what you can find there.

Bulk stores in our local area:

• Clean Pantry – Mosman Park
• The Source Bulk Foods – Floreat
• The Clean Food Store – Subiaco
• Skipping Stones Refillery (liquids only) – comes to Subi Farmers’ Market every second Saturday

Remember to weigh your containers before filling them! Most bulk stores have markers and masking tape on hand for weighing and labelling. You could even pre-weigh your containers at home and record the weight on each one to save time at the shops.

Look for alternative products

Plastic-free packaging is one thing, but there’s a whole world of alternative plastic-free products out there for you to explore as well. For example, instead of shampoo in a plastic bottle, you could refill a glass bottle at a bulk store OR use a shampoo bar (similar to a bar of soap). There are often multiple plastic-free solutions, so if one thing doesn’t work for you, don’t be afraid to try something else. Visit the Plastic Free July website for ideas and inspiration.

Choose better packaging

Sometimes it’s simply not possible to go packaging-free… and that’s OK! There are no recycling programs currently accepting soft plastics, so replacing them with better packaging options is still a good step.

• Glass jars can be reused again and again, and eventually recycled
• Aluminium cans can be rinsed out and recycled
• Rigid plastic containers (eg. a margarine container or yoghurt tub) can be rinsed out and recycled – or even better, keep them for your next bulk shop

Go easy on yourself

Going plastic-free is a challenge, not a competition! Trying to change everything at once can leave you exhausted and frustrated. Take it in stages and work up to a level that is feasible for your lifestyle. It’s much more sustainable – and impactful! – to take small, manageable steps over time.