How to shop and eat more sustainably

One of the largest contributors to the declining health of the planet is how the food we eat is grown, processed, transported and consumed. With a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions being a result of food, each step of the food lifecycle contributes to climate change in some way. With this in mind, it is our responsibility to start making the switch to a more sustainable lifestyle when it comes to how we shop and consume food.

Whether you’re looking to build more small, sustainable habits into your daily routine or completely overhaul how you choose to consume, at Planet Organic, we’re here to help you make more conscious choices in your switch to shopping and eating more sustainably.

How do you shop sustainably for food?

Studies have shown that the largest chunk of food-related greenhouse gas emissions comes from agriculture and land use, making it clear that we cannot help the planet without attempting to transform our food system. By making small changes to our diet and how we shop for food, we can help improve the health of not only the planet but our bodies too. 

Whether you choose to make small swaps to your everyday diet by switching to plant-based milk alternatives, taking part in #MeatlessMondays, or buying more organic produce – there are many ways you can contribute to making positive changes to shopping sustainably which we have detailed below.

Reduce plastic waste 

Unlike other materials, plastic does not biodegrade and can take up to 1,000 years to break down.  It is one of the key contributors to environmental issues, with 46% of plastic waste sitting in landfills. Most food you find in traditional grocery stores is packaged in plastic and transported in plastic bags which are then discarded and left to build up in landfills. Some of the easiest ways to reduce plastic waste when shopping is to:

• Use your own reusable bags
• Buy fresh produce that is loose and not wrapped in plastic
• Choose food items that come in more sustainable packaging
• Recycle food packaging where possible.

Shop locally and seasonally 

Buying food that is not only in season but also produced locally is another simple way to consume more sustainably. Seasonal consumption not only helps support local farmers’ businesses but these foods are also more nutrient-dense and may even taste better. Shopping seasonally also helps to encourage more sustainable agricultural practices as the environment is naturally in the right conditions to grow certain foods organically. 

In addition to local farm shops, if you have any zero-waste or organic stores in your area, we would encourage you to shop there for as much of your food as possible before traditional grocery stores. We have several shops across London, visit Our Stores page to find your nearest Planet Organic store.   

Read food labels

Another way to shop more sustainably is to pay attention to food labels. A lot of food that is marketed as ‘eco-friendly’ can often still be produced using practices that are harmful to the environment, as this term does not have a standard definition and can be easily used by companies to mislead consumers. Therefore it is important that you understand what to look out for in the following signifiers that ensure the food you are consuming is sustainable:

When shopping more sustainably, look out for one or more of these labels that signify the food you are buying works towards bettering the environment.

Try out more plant-based foods

One of the most effective ways to lead a more sustainable lifestyle when it comes to food consumption is to make the switch to a more plant-based diet. This does not necessarily mean that everyone should turn Vegan, however, making small changes to your diet by including more plant-based foods can work towards making positive changes for the planet. Studies have shown that plant-based diets can cut greenhouse gas emissions by almost half as they use 30% less energy for production, and have a 41.5% lower carbon footprint compared to meat-based diets.

By taking small steps to minimise meat consumption and increase the number of plants in your diet, you’re using your purchase power to signal to the food industry that consumers want more sustainable food options. Remember that plant-based doesn’t have to mean consuming only fruits and vegetables, there are many meat and dairy alternatives and plant-based versions of your favourite foods that you can make the switch to. Browse through our vegan shop to find an array of plant-based alternatives to your everyday food staples.

How can I eat more sustainably?

Studies have shown that UK households and businesses throw away around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste in a single year, with most of this food waste ending up in overcrowded landfills. This build-up of food waste then releases methane gas as it degrades, which then contributes to global warming. Therefore by making a conscious effort to reduce your food waste, you can help reduce this environmental impact. Some of the easiest ways to reduce food waste are:

Only shop for what you need 

Whether you make daily trips to your local grocery store or pre-plan meals in advance, make sure you know what to buy and when to ensure everything you buy gets used and not wasted. Create a weekly meal plan or write a list before shopping to help you stay on track.

Compost leftover food 

If you find yourself throwing away food scraps after preparing meals, we suggest adding these scraps to a compost bin or heap instead. Whether you buy a composting bin for your garden or purchase a handy tabletop composter, composting leftovers can allow you to repurpose food in a more sustainable way that can then be used to create nutrient-rich soil for plants or vegetable gardens. Head on over to our guide on how to compost to find out more information around this sustainability practice.

Freeze meals in bulk 

If you choose to prepare your meals in advance, batch-cooking large quantities of food and then freezing them into smaller meals is a great way to get the most out of your food and reduce the potential for leftover waste. If you do often find yourself with lots of food leftover from meals, freezing what is left is not only great for reducing waste but also gives you a convenient meal option at a later date. 

Grow your own produce

Ultimately, one of the easiest ways to eat more sustainably is to grow your own food. Whether you create small vegetable patches in your garden at home or have access to an allotment, growing your own fruit and vegetables allows you to control the amount of food you need, saves you money and also reduces the impact traditional agricultural practices have on the environment.

Shop sustainably with the help of Planet Organic

Home to a variety of brands with a passion for sustainability, Planet Organic is here to help you on your journey to leading a more sustainable life. Shop our full sustainable living range to discover plastic-free food, sustainable household products and more, to start building sustainable habits into your everyday routines.