Week 1 of Zero Waste

This week we sussed out all the places we could get zero-waste products. Our weekly shop took a few hours as it was combined with re-con and meeting up with family for lunch but was a productive outing.

Shopping

For the shopping I dug out all our old take-out containers from before we went zero waste (delighted I finally have a use for them and they can stop cluttering up the blackhole of a corner cabinet), along with some re-pac bags I had from when we lived in Canada, some tote bags and re-usable shopping bags. We managed to get all of the food in the picture from 2 farmers markets (the famous English Market and Coal Quay Market) and soaps and soft scrubber brush from a natural food shop (Natural Choice).

Most of the vendors looked at me a bit funny when I asked them to use my packaging but were all very obliging. I did have to refuse plastic in some shape or form at all vendors. It's best to start the conversation saying you have your own containers as they can be very fast to get out their own.

This week we were very strict with ourselves and did not buy anything that was in packaging with the exception of the paper bread bag. I have since ordered a linen bag to use going forward.

Cost

We managed to get all of the above for 50€ which was less than our normal weekly shop at Aldi.

Health

The main difference aside from the packaging is that the food we got is much healthier. We didn't get our usual crisps, jellies and chocolate and I have to say I don't overly miss them. As they are not in the house I do not crave them. As we are eating more whole foods I am less peckish and when I do snack, it's on fruits, cheeses and olives.

Milk Recipe

I am a big milk (and chocolate milk) drinker - we usually get through 3L/week - but I couldn't find any pasteurised milk in glass jars so this week I tried making my own from this recipe. I didn't have a sieve or cheese cloth so I used an unused handkerchief as a filter to strain the oats and coconut. I also didn't have any dates on hand but still turned out ok.

If you are a fan of whole milk this will be a bit of a shock, it is really watery. I managed to get through the week with it. It tastes quite coconutty and adds that flavour to whatever you put it in. It is nice in porridge and chocolate milk but takes a bit of getting used to in tea. By the end of the week I started getting used to drinking tea black (probably something I should have done years ago).

Check back next week for more progress.