The newspapers are full of announcements from supermarkets that they're going green. But don't leave it all to them - here's what you can do to make your supermarket shop greener right now.
Take your own bags
The supermarkets are starting to phase out plastic bags, but this is taking some time. Be ahead of the game by using as few plastic bags as you can.
Order your shopping online from a supermarket that delivers in reusable crates. If your preferred supermarket insists on delivering in dozens of bags (we're on to you, Sainsbury's) then hand them back to the delivery man next time he comes.
When you pop into a local convenience store, think twice about whether you need a bag for your Mars bar and can of Coke.
Food miles
The further your shopping has travelled, the bigger your carbon footprint will be. When you order your shopping online, the same van will deliver to lots of addresses in a specific area. This saves tremendously on the number of car journeys to and from the supermarket.
Some of the supermarkets are now offering locally produced ranges. For example, Tesco now has a range of milk called Localchoice, which you know has come from a local dairy.
Go organic
We all love the idea of buying organic food. It's healthier for us and it's good for the environment, but it's also more expensive.
Get your weekly fix of organic produce without breaking the bank by checking the special offers on your supermarket's website for deals on organic produce - sometimes it can even cost less than the non-organic alternative!
Recycle
Food manufacturers are terribly wasteful when it comes to packaging. Often you have to tear through plastic wrapping, a cardboard box and then a plastic case before you get to the food.
Careful recycling lessens the problem: make sure that you separate the glass, foil, paper and plastic and dispose of them correctly.
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