It may seem daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it bulk shopping becomes second-nature and even fun. The best way to get started is when you run out of an item, check if you can buy it in bulk before re-buying it in packaging. Then make your grocery list.
How to bulk shop:
1. Come prepared. Collect the reusable containers you already have in your home like glass jars, tupperware, pyrex containers, cloth bags and the like. This is a great time to start saving those glass jars you would normally throw in the recycling, trust me you will need a lot of them as you switch to bulk shopping.
2. Weigh your empty containers. You can do this at home on a kitchen scale or wait until you get to the bulk grocery store. You will want this TARE weight so the cashier can deduct the weight of your container from your bulk purchase weight. You will need to put the weight in pounds and your scale will give you ounces. Most containers are under a pound, so you will have to put the decimal of the pound. Say your container weighs 8 oz. that would be 0.5 lbs on your label. I just google "ounces to pounds" and use that calculator when I weigh my items.📷
3. Label. I like to use a label maker (since I already have one) to put the TARE weights on my containers. A China Marker is another great option, you can find them at art supply stores, they write on glass and wipe off easily. I tried a wine marker, but they tend to smudge and are made of plastic. You can also use a permanent marker, especially good on plastic containers or your cloth bag where you want the writing to stay put. Or there's always a sticker, usually supplied at bulk stores.
4. BYO. Bring your clean containers! This is the hardest part of bulk shopping, remembering to bring your containers, but once you get a system down and it becomes more regular, you'll know exactly what containers to bring for what, etc. I store my empty containers in a box in my trunk, so I'm always ready for some bulk shopping. If you don't drive, store them in your reusable grocery bag you usually bring to the store. You may want to bring more cloth bags than glass if you use public transit or walk, as glass gets very heavy, especially when full. Then decant at home. Sometimes I write next to the item on my grocery list what container to bring for it too. Advanced bulk shopping ;)
5. Shop. The fun part, fill them up! Don't forget to write the bin numbers (plu#)on your containers. Bulk stores will have a pen and stickers handy or twist ties you can write on. Or bring your own washable pen or creative method. You can also write the numbers in your cell phone notes and read them off to the cashier, to be completely zero waste.
6. Check out! And pat yourself on the back. You just saved a bunch of waste from going to the landfill, nice work!
Advanced bulk tip: take a photo of the bin's cooking instructions to reference when you get home! You can also use the bin # photos at checkout instead of labeling your container or bag.
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