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Adopting a Zero Waste lifestyle should not be done overnight. Rather, it should be done incrementally over a longer period of time. If you try to change it all at once, you are only going to overwhelm yourself. Instead, take time to discover which processes and products work best for you, your family, and your lifestyle.
I wanted to share a few of my favorite spots around the area for Zero Waste shopping. The key to Zero Waste shopping is to come prepared. Have your list and your containers ready.
One of my favorite places is Public! Not only is the owner Jolene awesome but the product is great too. This is my go-to spot for all things bath and household products. We get our shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, cleaning products, etc. all here!
The Recology Store is another great place to begin your Zero Waste shopping. They offer all sorts of household and personal products that are refillable and reusable, plus there are multiple locations around the region. What is also great about these stores is they offer drop-off for hard-to-recycle items such as styrofoam, batteries, etc. See their complete list of products here and go check them out, they also have great gift items!
Shopping local is also a huge factor to Zero Waste living. Reducing the amount of energy it took the product to get to your table is key. PCC and your local farmers markets are fantastic places to find a variety of local products. PCC also has a great bulk section, so you can bring your containers for items like flour, cereal, spices, maple syrup, etc.
Get in the habit of buying produce at the farmers market and freezing those in-season flats of berries! That way you can enjoy local summer berries all winter long. Check here for a list of farmers markets in the area.
Last but not least there is Scoop! Scoop is a small organic Zero Waste grocery shop located on the Eastside. The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable, the selection is carefully considered, and the owner Stephanie teaches classes on Zero Waste! Go check out this shop and see what they have to offer.
Slow and steady wins the race. Start your Zero Waste journey by slowly incorporating a few refillable items into your routine, you can expand upon it as you feel comfortable. This crisis we are facing cannot be combated with individual acts alone, we need systemic change, so please call your representative and let them hear your voice! Click here to find out who your representatives are.
Happy Zero Wasting!