From Cart to Conservation

When it comes to buying, storing and preparing food, acting in a sustainable manner helps reduce carbon emissions, conserve energy and reduce waste.

Here are some ways you can make a difference by shopping sustainably, maximizing your groceries and minimizing energy waste.

1. Shop Sustainably

   

   Before you get your groceries, plan meals and create a list to help focus on the items you need. Choose local and seasonal produce – it’s fresh, healthy and produces a much lower carbon footprint throughout the production process. Also, consider buying in bulk to help avoid making numerous trips to the store and purchasing individually packaged items – meaning more trash in landfills. Be sure to grab some reusable bags before heading out to your local grocery store.

2. Preserve Properly

   

   Correctly storing fruits and vegetables is essential for preserving freshness so they last longer. Use containers with airtight lids for produce to prevent dehydration and protect from contamination. Stackable containers provide efficient storage in your refrigerator, allowing the cold air to circulate and keeping everything fresh. Consider freezing leftovers and be sure to label and date them and use them within four months, or else they lose flavor.

3. Cook Conscientiously

   

   ENERGY STAR^® appliances help reduce greenhouse gases, but pressure cookers and toaster ovens are an energy-efficient way to prepare meals because they’re smaller. Microwaves not only save time, but they can save a significant amount of energy and won’t heat up your kitchen like a traditional oven, which, during the summer, can cause air conditioning use to increase, emitting more carbon into the atmosphere. Consider using appliances during off-peak hours to lessen the strain on the electric grid and reduce your carbon footprint.

4. Compost Consciously

   

   Sometimes, food scraps or leftovers may not make sense to save or freeze. In these instances, feeding your soil is an Earth-friendly practice you should consider. Simply try composting your organic food waste – it significantly reduces methane emissions and can help improve the soil in your yard and garden without the need for fertilizers. A few things you can add to a compost pile include fruit and vegetable scraps, tea bags, nut shells, rice, pasta, bread and coffee grounds.

5. Conserve Continually

   

   Unplugging small kitchen appliances whenever not in use, like coffee makers and toaster ovens, can help with overall energy conservation during those in-between meal preparation times. Also, keeping refrigerators and freezers neat and clean helps with optimum performance and energy savings. Avoid overfilling them to help prevent motors from overworking and burning out, causing the need to purchase new ones.

Maximizing your groceries and minimizing energy waste to make your home more sustainable can begin by simply using reusable bags and switching to LED lightbulbs in your kitchen. Taking small steps now can help yield big results later for the environment, your budget and you.