How do you grocery shop without waste? To hyper-simplify it—don’t buy plastic packaged food. Sounds easy right? I know it' doesn’t, which is why we are here. Sometimes reducing waste isn’t as straightforward as it sounds—frozen or canned vegetables, for instance, often last longer and waste less than fresh ones that seem to spoil the minute you look away.

In some cities it is beyond easy to find stores with extensive bulk bins that have everything from grains to spices and sweets to dehydrated fruits. Others, you’re lucky if you even find apples that aren’t wrapped in plastic.

So what can you do if you live somewhere that doesn’t have sustainable options? It’s all about making small adjustments that work best for your situation, even if they’re not “perfect”.

Below, you’ll find some straightforward tips to reduce waste at the grocery store. And check back in every once and a while, as I’ll continue updating this page with tips and insights from my evolving journey. And share your own hacks in the comments what you’ve done to cut back on waste while grocery shopping!

Grocery Bags

Bring Your Own Bag

B.Y.O.B. Yes, just like the System of a Down song. I’m pretty sure that’s what it’s about.

Time to put that ever-growing stash of reusable bags to use—you know, the ones we all mysteriously accumulate. Bringing your own bag to the grocery store is one of the easiest ways to cut down on waste, and it’s probably one of the cheapest too, especially now that stores are charging anywhere from 10 to 20 cents per bag. The hardest part? Actually remembering to bring it.

Paper or Plastic?

Let me guess, you’ve forgotten your reusable bag... again. You’re at the register, the cashier asks if you want paper or plastic, and suddenly, your entire life flashes before your eyes and you drift into an existential crisis. Which do you choose? And, more importantly, which one is actually more sustainable?

Plastic bags take less energy to produce and weigh almost nothing (thanks, fossil fuels!), but they have this bad habit of sticking around for a few hundred years. They also love to clog up oceans and show up where they’re definitely not invited. Paper bags, on the other hand, come from trees and break down faster, but they need a surprising amount of water and energy to make (like a gallon per bag, seriously), which doesn’t exactly scream "eco-friendly."

So which is the lesser of two evils? Personally, I lean towards paper bags. They’re biodegradable, kinder to wildlife and ecosystems in the longrun, and I give them a second life as trash bags (I haven’t bought trash bags since 2016) or as insulation for my worm bin.

Bulk Shopping

Wholesale Stores

Places like Costco (you know how there are Disney adults? I’m a Costco adult) and Sam’s Club are fantastic for stocking up on food in bulk, even if it still comes in plastic. And that’s okay! The goal is to reduce your overall waste, not drive yourself nuts trying to eliminate it entirely. If you’ve got the freezer and pantry space, go for it. Costco will set you up for weeks—possibly months—of groceries, and you’ll save big in the process.

Here’s the kind of Disney magic you can expect: 24 eggs for $6 compared to the $10 dozen, or 5 pounds of salt for $8 instead of 3 ounces for $10 (yes, I’m serious—NYC pricing is something else). When I first moved to NYC, we did a $400 Costco haul. Five months later, we’re maybe halfway through the meat, and the spices are going to last us until the next decade.

Bulk shopping like this can be a bit of a game-changer for saving money and cutting down on trips to the store (and the temptation to buy overpriced single items every time). Plus, with less plastic packaging overall, you’re keeping your waste lower, even if everything’s not perfectly zero-waste. Just clear out some space in your pantry, go in with a list, and prepare to be amazed by how long a single trip can carry you. Costco really is the second happiest place on earth.

Bulk Bins

Bulk bins are one of the best zero-waste options around—if they’re available to you. Some stores are stocked like a zero-waste paradise, with everything from pasta and grains to nuts and dried fruit. Others? You’re lucky if you find some cashews and maybe a rogue pistachio.

Back in the 2010s, when zero-waste was all over social media, everyone (myself included) was hauling every jar they owned to the grocery store, like it was a status symbol. I’d drag five pounds of glass with me, clinking all the way through the aisles, just to load up on a scoop of lentils. Now, older and slightly wiser, I skip the workout and stick with paper or compostable bags instead. Much less schlepping, no extra weight to "tare," and I get through checkout without a shoulder injury.

If you’re wondering what on earth I’m talking about, here’s the rundown on bulk bins: stores fill big containers with dried goods like pasta, rice, or whatever else they’ve got. They usually provide plastic bags and twist-ties, where you can jot down the SKU (the product code) so the cashier knows what you’re buying. If you bring your own jar, you’ll need to ask them to "tare" it (subtract its weight) so you’re not paying extra for the weight of the jar.

So, to circle back: all the zero-wasters back in the day were totally against store-provided bags, so we’d lug our jars. Now, having graduated to lighter options, I suggest using one that won’t spill everywhere if you’re buying something fine like spices. BioBags are a great compostable option if you’re in a composting city; if not, just reuse the same plastic or paper bag until it’s on its last leg.

Want to find a bulk bin near you? Zero Waste Home created a Bulk Finder to help. Bulk shopping can be simple, efficient, and, thankfully, now jar-free.

Canned Goods

In smaller or more rural parts of the United States, finding zero-waste options like bulk bins can feel like a bit of a wild goose chase. But if you’re committed to reducing waste and find yourself in a town with limited options, don’t worry—canned goods are a great option.

From veggies and beans to sauces and soups, canned goods cover a lot of ground, making it easy to plan balanced meals with minimal waste. They’re often overlooked in the sustainable living world in favor of fresh or unpackaged items, but canned goods bring their own unique perks to the table. For one, they’re designed to last for years, so they’re ideal when fresh options are limited, and you need to stock up without worrying about things going bad.

The best part is that most canned goods are packaged in aluminum or steel, both highly recyclable materials. Aluminum, especially, can be recycled indefinitely, and almost all waste management companies accept it. So, if you’re in a town without bulk bins, those canned goods might just be the low-waste lifeline you’re looking for.

Farmers Markets

If your town has a farmers market—and if it fits into your budget—they can be an excellent eco-friendly alternative to the typical grocery run. Farmers markets not only help you cut down on packaging waste, but they also let you support local farmers, which translates to fewer food miles, a reduced carbon footprint, and fresher produce. There’s nothing quite like biting into a piece of fruit that was picked only a day or two before, rather than one that went on a cross country tour in a semi-truck. Most fruits and veggies are sold loose, so you’ll usually be spared the endless plastic wrappers. You might also find locally made goodies like pastas, honey, or jams, though be prepared for a bit of packaging on some items.

One thing to keep in mind is that farmers markets often run a little pricier than your grocery store. You’re paying for quality and the opportunity to support local agriculture directly. And while it might take a little more planning, you can stretch your dollar by focusing on in-season items, which are usually more affordable, and talking with farmers about deals or "seconds"—the perfectly good, slightly imperfect produce that might be a bit cheaper.

And yes, let me remind you once again: don’t forget your reusable bag! There’s no worse feeling than realizing you left it behind just as you’re eyeing a pile of tomatoes.

Butcher

Some people believe that the only way to truly live a zero-waste lifestyle is by going fully plant-based. And sure, that lifestyle has plenty of environmental benefits, but it’s not realistic (or even desirable) for everyone. Besides, this page is about fighting waste, not about saving the environment by choosing chickpeas over chickens. Let’s keep the debates about diet to a minimum, shall we?

For those looking to skip the plastic but still enjoy meat, visiting the local fish market or butcher—or a local farmer if you’re lucky enough to know one—might be the way to go. Many butchers these days will let you bring in your own containers, helping you cut down on plastic packaging entirely. It never hurts to call ahead and double-check their policy, but most butchers are willing to accommodate.

If bringing your own container isn’t an option and your meat still ends up in butcher paper, keep in mind that while this isn’t recyclable, it’s a better alternative than the classic foam tray and cling wrap. And remember, going zero-waste isn’t about perfection. It’s about making the best choices with the options you have. So if your meat comes in a bit of butcher paper instead of an entire plastic setup, you’re still making a positive impact.

Gardening

Indoor Gardening Systems

Not all of us have the land or the green thumb to start a full garden, but indoor gardening offers a way to grow fresh food and cut back on waste—if you have the right lighting. You can keep it simple with a small basil plant from Trader Joe’s, or go all-in with a full indoor gardening system like Gardyn or Lettuce Grow.

So, what exactly is an indoor gardening system? It’s a compact, self-sustaining garden that allows you to grow vegetables, herbs, and small fruits indoors or in tight spaces, no soil required. These systems use a vertical “tower” design, so they take up very little room, and they rely on hydroponics—a method where plants grow in water enriched with nutrients (like liquid fertilizer) instead of soil. The system circulates water to keep the plants fed, and most models come with built-in grow lights to simulate sunlight, making it possible to grow produce year-round even without natural light or outdoor space. It’s an easy way to enjoy homegrown food without a yard or extensive gardening skills.

The downside? These systems can be very expensive—some cost close to $1,000. While they might save money in the long run, the upfront cost is high. I was fortunate enough to be given one for free, but just as my plants started sprouting, I had to move across the country. I had a friend with a Lettuce Grow and it was thriving. Stay tuned for updates when I get my garden growing again!

Outdoor Gardening

If you’re blessed with both the land and a green thumb, then congratulations: you’ve unlocked the ultimate zero-waste grocery experience, right in your own backyard. Growing your own fruits, veggies, and herbs means you’ll never have to deal with plastic produce bags, mystery wax coatings, or those tiny, impossible-to-remove stickers on apples ever again. Plus, you’re in charge of everything—from the soil quality to the choice of pest control, so you can keep things as organic as you please.

There’s also the thrill of growing seasonal produce and enjoying garden-fresh flavor, not to mention that delightful moment of showing off your harvest to anyone who will listen (or at least pretend to care) (I would listen. I would care). And if you somehow end up with more zucchinis than you can handle (as all gardeners eventually do), you can try your hand at canning, freezing, or dehydrating, so nothing goes to waste. Best of all, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you grew it all yourself—which, as any gardener will tell you, makes a salad taste 100% better. Well, that and the fact that you didn’t have to pay $3.99 for a handful of basil.

Zero Waste Grocery Shopping