Some of you felt that I flaunted the availability of bulk in my area when I introduced this series a couple of weeks ago. "This post just seems a little out of everyone's league and for the ones that buy [packaged products] for lack of other options, it may leave them feeling guilty or at a loss", said Jolie. This blog is not meant to flaunt my ways, point the finger at yours, or make you feel guilty or bad about yourself, your way of shopping, your access to bulk or lack of it!...But maybe I did not explain the point of this series clearly enough.
This series simply aims at demonstrating the beauty of Zero Waste and overtime, at compiling a fantasy photo album of a Zero Waste economy. My job here is to shatter preconceptions that Zero Waste is messy and unattractive, to provide visual evidence, and to share the great alternatives that I encounter throughout my personal journey. As I said in earlier posts, before I started reducing our waste I was unaware that bulk was even available in my town. Now that I only shop this way, my eye is trained to spot the package free options and I believe it is essential that I report what's out there and what's possible. I hope to inspire manufacturers and retailers to adopt some of these ideas.
In the US, I have found coffee to be one of the products most readily available in bulk form. And I must say, the aroma that exudes out of a bulk bag on the way home does not compare with its packaged counterpart.
Which one do you think is a more beautiful way of shopping for coffee?
Packaged?
Or loose?
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| Mill Valley Market |
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| Safeway |
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| La Coppa, Mill Valley |
Just found your blog! Where have you been all my life? I can't wait to read it and your book!
ReplyDeleteKate
Is it important for you to buy fair trade coffee? I try to do the best I can with coffee and chocolate but it certainly is expensive. I would love to buy fair trade sugar but haven't seen it. However, I think the supporting of farmer communities is important so I am willing to spend extra to support the cause and promote more equity in the world. My husband isn't so much on board because of the expense so he buys the cheaper stuff. We end up with fair trade about 50% of the time. Your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteShopping is voting: of course it is important that we support fair trade with our dollar. That option is available in bulk too!
DeleteI'm facing a serious chocolate trade-off here. The fair-trade option is available packaged-only in the small town where I live. Bulk chocolate is also available (though either quality is poor or price is extreme), but it is not fair-trade. And actually I have not found fair-trade bulk chocolate at all in the Netherlands. Bea, from what company/shop do you get it in the States?
Deletei have found fair trade sugar at Target. it is packaged, however, so i buy it bulk at Whole Foods.
DeletePersonally, I'd go for the organic, fair trade even if packaged (for both coffee and chocolate). But I'm glad to see that Bea has a FT option for her bulk coffee:)
DeleteKika
I found Organic, Shade grown, Fair trade in a Winco in Folsom, Sacramento.They have a huge bulk area and even have bulk organic sugar sometimes. If you buy Organic coffee in bulk, most likely it is shade grown and fair trade. Whole food has it too. So look for Shade grown or Organic first.
DeleteAs far as Chocolate goes, Nugget store that is very similar to Whole food has it in big Chunks that you can buy. A lot of times it is wrapped in Paper that is compostable and Biodegradable.
Thank you Bea for showing that Zero waste does not have to be messy and a "washing old ziplock bag" version.
As I already have said many times, i truly enjoy and admire what you are doing.
FYI-just figured out the search bar is now only in the top left :)
ReplyDeleteInspiring!
ReplyDeleteBulk is beautiful! Our bulk toiletries ont look as sleek as the ones you posted the other day, but I think they look a million times better than the rows of little plastic bottles. We've been buying our coffee in 5# bags when it goes on sale ($30 off for 10#). We end up with the giant vacuum bag, but it's a balance. We've made huge leaps in other areas - this I a process for the long haul.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that anyone has a blog anymore. Insults and complaints, nonstop. As if you have ANY control over the availability or unavailability of bulk goods in your area or any other area.
ReplyDeleteI live in Toronto, a big city. So there is availability, but probably not as much as in your area. I've managed to source some bulk products and we do have "Bulk Barn"s here but it is against the law to use our own containers there. Yeah. >:( What's the point then?
So I have found some bulk places where I can use my own containers but if I, as someone who WANTS to do this, is having a hard time sourcing local bulk providers, how do we attract not-so-likeminded consumers to choose the bulk option?
It's difficult and a shame that bulk can be difficult so difficult to find.
I love your blog and can't wait to read your book Bea. Ignore the complainers.
In Seattle, WA (King County) it is illegal for us to use bulk containers for anything from the deli or anything that is not a "dry" item, more or less. I have found that more specialty shops (fish markets, butchers, cheesemongers) are willing to look the other way as it saves them packaging money as well! Also, if you are shopping in an area where your own items are "banned" you can do what we do, ask them to hand it to us in tissue paper (one small slice), and then put it into your jar on your own--the way our law is written, that isn't illegal. Yes, the paper is disposable, but it's compostable and a better option than all the landfill bound plastic wrap!
DeleteBea, loving this series! So happy you are blogging more now that your book is done :)
Bea, thank you for putting yourself out there! Thank you for always writing with grace.
ReplyDeleteHave you also tried Dandy Brew? It's a fantastic roasted dandelion beverage that tastes like coffee without caffeine, no acidity or bitterness. No additives or preservatives, Nothing artificial. No pesticides. No gluten. Our co-op carries it in bulk. I always start my morning with a cup and a check-in with you as morning inspiration.
Oh, and I spoke with my market and we've devised a system at the butcher counter where we both win! Thank you again for your quick response on that.
Off to make my own Furoshiki this morning and some for the gifting pile too.
I actually am a tea drinker but Scott drinks coffee on the weekends and we offer it to visiting guests. I have foraged dandelion roots and made coffee from them before. The taste did not quite work out for Scott, But I would love to try that Dandy Brew to taste the difference and see how it compares with mine, maybe I did something wrong ;)
DeleteThanks for sharing Bea! Your blog has inspired to me to keep my eyes open for bulk options around the Northeast Ohio area and it has been easier than I imagined. This has also supported another one of my goals - shop local. Our local health food stores and smaller supermarket chains typically carry grains, nuts, coffee, spices, etc in bulk. I'm still working on meat, cheese, etc but everything in time!
ReplyDeleteIgnore the haters, you rock and are inspiring.
Bravo for bulk! When coffee prices shot up a year or so ago even our bulk got pricey. So I went a step further - buying green beans and roasting them myself. I am lucky there is a roastary (is that a word?) nearby so I can buy fair-trade, organic beans for a fraction of the cost of regular (non-organic, non fair trade)roasted bulk at my local market.
ReplyDeleteLearning to roast has a bit of a learning curve (and a lot of smoke) but it's so EASY. And green beans will keep for years.
I recently put up a new pantry shelf dedicated to jars of bulk goods and I have to confess I've been caught admiring it. There is something so satisfying and aesthetically pleasing about all those pretty textures and colors lined up on the shelves.
Bea,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you encounter any criticism and that your methods are being challenged. I find it unfortunate that you still have to defend your methods. I think that you write from a place of knowledge and experience that most of us have yet to achieve in the zero-waste arena. I appreciate this insight so much on my journey. If bulk options are not available nearly, there are still ways to reduce the impact. Looking for products in paper and glass packaging, making reusable bags for produce, bringing your own container to the butcher, making your own bread, simplifying food choices, canning jam and tomatoes. My bulk options are inconvenient, so I do what I can.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Coffee is a great way to try buying in bulk because it is available everywhere. In my town, we also have a few coffee roasters (fair trade organic options, too), so I take my jar to my favorite one about once a month. No one ever questions my jar there (in fact, they thought it was such a good idea they've got some for purchase now), plus you get a free pound for every ten you buy. Um, I like that math.
ReplyDeleteLove the blog, Bea, and love the new series you've started (bulk, fashion, meals). You are a wealth of information, and an inspiration. Thank you!
For anyone living in east LA County, one option is Winco, which has a big variety of foods in bulk. They also opened a Winco in Las Vegas recently.
ReplyDeleteMia, I love love love WinCo! We have one here in Long Beach. I don't have to give up my favorite JUNK FOOD like hot Cheetos or frosted animal cookies because Winco sells them in bulk...I think it's fabulous.
DeleteOne note: Beware of the "paper" coffee bags provided at many bulk coffee display, as they are often lined with plastic (I didn't realize this for awhile...never looked down inside, but don't want that plastic in my compost). Now I use my own container for that, too.
ReplyDeleteOn the bigger topic of people not having options available in their areas: I think it is worth people taking the time to talk to their local markets about providing "tare" options, meaning asking them to provide bulk items and a means in their POS systems to subtract the tare/weight of your own containers. I generally buy my meat at the butcher window of New Frontiers (our version of "Whole Foods" type store) in my own containers, but when I wanted to run into a regular grocery store the other day to buy some shrimp, I asked if I could use my own container and they said they didn't have any way of subtracting the tare in their system, and my container was glass, so very heavy. We should all be a voice to the stores where we shop to provide more bulk-friendly options. I had asked this same store if they would be willing to label produce when it was local (here in Central CA it often is local even in the regular markets), and soon thereafter they did start advertising the local produce with a big sign! They never realized it could be a selling point! Sometimes the store managers need and appreciate consumer input. Be the squeaky wheel. You never know what changes you might bring about!
The beauty of the 5R's is that it eliminates such problem as the coffee bag conundrum that you mention. Composting is last in the 5R's hierarchy... Reuse (i.e,bringing your own container) comes before it and naturally eliminates the guess work about the recyclability or compostability of packaging!
DeleteAnd thanks for reinforcing "letting your voice be heard". I can't emphasize its importance enough.
Noted the same problem here -- that "paper bags" are really plastic. I could drive half an hour to a store that does allow me to use my own packaging, but is that worth the difference in fossil fuel to a store that is five minutes away? One thing to note about trash is that it really never breaks down in a landfill due to the way they are constructed. I'm on the citizen's committee for the environmental cleanup of a former military base; and when an old landfill was opened up last year, objects that were found included books that were still readable. One day this country could be mountains from sea to sea as a result of proliferating landfills. Which, of course, no one wants in his/her own backyard.
DeleteSan Luis Obispo? I used to live there and love it. Both New Frontier’s and the co-op were great with bulk and letting people bring there own containers! I have a good place here, too, I am just nostalgic about SLO for other reasons, sometimes.
DeleteSunshine Health Foods in Morro Bay just expanded their bulk section and it is wonderful! I no longer need to travel all the way to New Frontiers. Their prices are really reasonable as well and shopping there means you are supporting a local family that owns and runs it.
DeleteI'm so surprised that people are so critical. I read your blog for inspiration, knowing that my small town doesn't have as many options for bulk foods, but learning what I can. You have introduced so many things to me that I wouldn't have thought of otherwise. Why don't people just take what they can and move along? Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this blog. It's making a difference in my life!
Try not to take it personally Bea. People are often defensive when something touches a nerve and the truth is we can all do more, be more, make more of a difference etc., and being faced with that truth can be confronting. The important thing is your point got through to them and soon they will run out of excuses, the confronting nature of the truth will wear off, and (hopefully) they will make some meaningful changes.
ReplyDeleteI love buying my coffee from the local café that roast their own. I can purchase the exact amount I need, ground or whole beans, chat about which blend is most appropriate for my needs, and know exactly what I'm getting and where it came from. And yes, it may seem superficial but it just looks so much better when it's not encased in tacky plastic ;)
Yes, I think this is what it comes down to. Touching a nerve. I think that's also why people ask why Bea and her family fly to France, why they use a car. Shocks me. With everything else that they are doing, discovering new ways of accomplishing vitals, dispensing with the non-vitals, and people give them hell! People expect zero carbon from this family that is already doing so much. Love you Bea!
DeleteNegative people will always be around. It amazes me that they live that life that way. Keep up the good work. All the comments above said exactly what I feel. Bravo!!
ReplyDeleteAlas no bulk coffee here in rural northern Alberta, well unless you want to drive 125 miles to the nearest major center. Still I do buy beans (fairly traded) and that cuts down on some of the waste.
ReplyDeleteI considered myself low-waste before discovering your blog. You have shown me ways to stretch my belongings even further. I never knew how to darn before and was thrilled to find that tutorial here. If someone thinks you are flaunting or has any criticism, perhaps that is their problem. Maybe they are not ready for your level of living yet. I am , and am very grateful and excited to see what you have to say day by day. So, I hope that you do not edit or change your content at all. Knowing that coffee can be found in bulk is useful to me. I never considered it before, but will be on the lookout for it now and that many fewer coffee bags will end up in the Hampton Roads landfill for i
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! It made me think about the question of beauty in everyday life. I think that in times past, artisans were responsible for this---everyday objects made beautiful. In the modern day, designers are sometimes responsible for designing an elegant product that will last, but more frequently, we see beautiful design only in the branding and packaging of an item, not in the item itself.
ReplyDeleteNow, I do appreciate beauty anywhere it's available, but your post made me think about how in our current system, the care and time (and money) it takes to create beauty is put into the package rather than the item itself. Man! I am enjoying thinking about what it would be like if the system were reversed, and a decision to purchase something or not involved admiring the beauty of the item I am buying, rather than the beauty of the package that contains it!
I can understand why people feel discouraged reading blogs where people have great access to healthy food, bulk options, etc. I live in a small town in central Alberta so I sure know how hard it is to source good food. However, I try to focus on what I CAN do and use blogs like yours as creative impetus. Often you mention ways of doing things that I'd never have considered on my own...and I think it is too easy to get grumpy and do NOTHING instead of realizing that we all have at least some choice in how we shop/vote with our dollars/care for our environment - whatever.
ReplyDeleteKika
Love your comment 'I try to focus on what I CAN do'. Thats key. Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.
DeleteI live in a relatively rural area - South Dakota - so I've had to search out bulk items. Most groceries stores do have coffee and grains in bulk, which is so nice! There is a buying club as well and many people don't mind dividing and that helps me as I bring my own containers. I've found also people who raise honey and it is so much better than store bought. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteIn my small town the only thing that can be purchased loose in bulk is coffee and cheap chocolate. I have to drive into the city roughly 20 miles away to find bulk foods available. I like the look of bulk bins much more than their packaged counter-parts but have to say I avoid the coffee aisles like the plague as I can't stand the smell of coffee :-)
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, while our shopping choices aren't great in the winter months, during the summer we have a couple wonderful farmer's markets and can walk or drive around town to find people who have set their extra home grown produce out front for anyone to have, some even offer it for free which is amazing. The point is to find what your area has to offer that is sustainable and unique.
I must say, I am jealous of the bulk options you have, but I make due with what I have. I saw above that you are a tea drinker. Where do you get your tea? Just yesterday we were away from home for the day, near a store that has bulk teas. I was thrilled and brought my tea tins for the trip. Got lots of compliments on my tins:) This was the first time I've bought them bulk in a store since it is nearly a 2 hour drive from where I live, but perhaps the next time I'm running low I'll plan another trip!
ReplyDeleteLet me note I do not think you 'flaunt' anything. You INSPIRE!!!
ReplyDeleteWe live east of you between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite and while we do have to drive between 40-50 miles to either Jackson or Angels Camp/Sonora to get to large well stocked grocery stores, or 80 miles to Sacramento for Whole Foods, we do plan well for the once a month shopping, and buy in bulk 90% of the time.
The few items we cannot buy in bulk with our own containers, we buy in glass (raw organic milk), or cardboard (washing soda, Borax for homemade soap).All coffee is bought in bulk and is fair trade, and we reuse homemade zero weight paper bags to contain the coffee beans at the store. We only use four types of beans and each homemade paper bag has the name of the bean on it so the checker can weigh and charge accordingly.
All whole grains are non GMO. While I buy locally (CA) grown Lundberg rice in 25lb bags, we reuse the bags for projects and storing potatoes we grow in our own garden.
Thanks to you Bea, I sewed different size fine gauze bags which I use when I go to the farmers market to purchase the fruits/vegetables we buy. They allow the fruit/vegetables to breath unlike plastic bags. And I embroidered the names of fruit/vegetables in French on each bag. Then a few people who have seen me shopping asked me where I got the bags and I explained I made them. Now I see others with homemade cloth bags. So thank you for inspiring so many people.
I am so glad you're doing this series. I love the look of reusable and bulk, and am so glad to see it shared more. It's sad that we've settled into thinking disposable is as good as it gets.
ReplyDeleteHi Bea, How would you respond to my friend's questions below? Thank you for your help and insight!
ReplyDelete"So here is my big question that I have been wrestling with about zero waste or living 'green', etc. If this was, or should be, the main goal for everyone wouldn't our economy collapse and wouldn't the poor be the first to be affected? And also the people working in the low-wage jobs, retail and service jobs most vulnerable? Maybe you have already processed this, so I thought I'd ask. ;)
It is a sick cycle that our economy has adopted, but it's the reality and I think of so many of my friends that live because people don't follow the zero waste/green/healthy living (CPA for General Mills, Hair Stylist, Marketing Manager, Medical Dr, Fashion Consultant, Car Mechanic, and the list goes on....) It's like we pray for our friends and family to have job, to put food on their table so their families are fed, but then don't support them? It's messin with my head!!! ;)
So I guess do we advocate for 'guaranteed income' so people will stop consuming without causing mass poverty?! And that opens a whole different can of worms. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!"
Yes, it is true that if everyone was to adopt the zero waste life style there would be changes. you would not need fast food restaurants, or other types of jobs. But that doesn't mean that other jobs would not be created. People would visit the deli counter more, you would want to have more butchers, cheese counters, you would need more people to operate public transportation and mechanics to maintain those machines. I don't think anyone wants to get rid of medical doctors, just maybe re-think how zero waste could play into that while still being sanitary. The world is constantly changing, and we can not predict how or when those changes will happen. As we switch from old ways to new ways, jobs will be lost and new ones will be created. People who are zero waste minded would like to see that those changes be towards zero waste and not towards more wasteful ways.
DeleteHere is an old post of mine about coffee. Hope it is helpful.
ReplyDeleteParis ( Parastoo)
http://thegreenminimalist.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-best-coffee.html
Hi,
ReplyDeleteGreat segment here.
Whenever I'm in Los Angeles or back home in Chicago, I purchase locally roasted, Direct Trade coffee from Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea. It is fresh and seasonal. The staff is knowledgeable and not pretentious.
Thanks again!
Lisa in Chicago
I really admire what you do and have tried to implement many of the habbits you reccomend. I have found that it is difficult to maintain long-term, generally just because of "convenience" issues that come up with modern life, kids, etc.
ReplyDeleteMy question (and something i often get overwhelmed by, which leads to exhaustion/ giving-up) is HOW do you prioritize your purchases outside of the simple "no packaging" context.
Take something as simple as MILK, I have no options that are reusable. So... DO i go 30min (in the car) out of town for raw milk (plastic bottle, health benefits), buy cheapest "local" milk (non-organic, cardboard packaging). Both options are fully recyclable, or there is the less expensive organic milk i can get locally but it is shipped in from Germany (i live in France). HOW do you make sense of all these options??? OR maybe i should just not buy milk...make homemade rice milk from bulk rice (that i can get) (but it lacks the same nutrition and kids don't like it much). Do you not confront these conflicting issues ...it seems everything is always so clear for you.
Africaturtle, As a mother of two youngsters, a wife of one semi-willing zerowaster, and daycare provider to many I feel a deep responsibility for the example I set. Nevertheless, life is tough enough so exhalt in the small victories knowing they will build momentum.
DeleteWith your milk example my thinking would be this: if the 30 min drive is to a place you go regularly and can accomplish other errands (also returning bottles) the glass is better since recycling is easier on environment and the fuel expenditure covers multiple needs. Otherwise, if you have overall faith in the milk producers of your local area then I would buy local in recyclable milk carton. Keep your money in local economy and remember, unless it's a huge operation, they are likely giving this same milk to their families. As for making rice milk, you don't need any more work!
I love that you show us what is possible. Based on this blog, I took one of my produce sacks and filled it with coffee at a Fresh Market. I labeled the contents, and yet the cashier was baffled. 'This is coffee' she asked with a confused tone, 'Well, that's a first!' I responded, 'Well, I hope I'm not the last.'
ReplyDeleteYour blog is an inspiration and shows what is possible. If more people started shopping for whatever bulk is available and asked their local stores to stock more bulk items then that is how change happens. Even small changes add up. Anyone who feels guilt needs to just let that go and concentrate on what they are able to do...and feel good about it! If you are trying to be better then you deserve to feel good.
ReplyDeleteI am new to your blog/website and I find it very informative and endlessly interesting. While I've always been interested in green issuues, my New Year's resolution this year has been to live a more sustainable life. It hasn't been easy, but I'm learning and I find some good tips from you. I may never achieve zero waste, but I'm learning and it is one step at a time. Keep up the good work and thanks for all the good info.
ReplyDeleteMy friends always make jokes about me when I buy bulk: they tell me the employees open the packaging in the back of the store and fill the containers so the customers think this is better.
ReplyDeleteThey make me wonder how those bulk-beans are packed when they are sent to the store.
Paula, Having just looked into this very issue I can say that Whole Foods, our local community market and probably many other stores do empty product from one container into a bin for "bulk" buying. Nevertheless, consider that the containers product comes in is much larger so the overall packaging is likely much less. Also, stores are buying huge quantities so transportation (fossile fuel) costs are less impactful to the environment. I do also look for local producers, NOT distributors, for ways to add to the local economy while reducing trash. Bear your friends' jokes with good humour. I have found those around me changing their tune once they see my committment and the general ease with which this lifestle can be maintained once established. Being the change you want to see in the world (Ghandi) takes perserverance in the face of opposition.
DeleteI am new to your blog, and enjoying it. I think anyone who complains that you are flaunting your zero-waste lifestyle needs to take into account a very basic fact: you're writing about a zero-waste lifestyle. It would be like reading a marathon runner's blog and accusing him or her of "bragging" that they can run long distances. Jeez, people!
ReplyDelete