January workshop: Grocery shopping for less waste
Learn how to modify your shopping habits to create less waste. Join us as we help you plan and make decisions about packaging while going through different departments of a grocery store.
- Saturday, January 9 from 10 to 11 a.m.
- Friday, January 15 from noon to 1 p.m.
Please RSVP on the Facebook events for January 9 or January 15 or by emailing your liaison. You can find the full schedule of workshops on the participant web page.
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You may associate parties and celebrations with an overflowing garbage cart, but it doesn’t have to be that way! You can celebrate and produce minimal waste. It just requires a little planning and setting yourself up with durable goods, whether you purchase or borrow them. Some foods, drinks, and decorations also produce less waste than others. You can find this information and links to a planning checklist in the special events section of the zero waste guide.
For now, these recommendations can be useful on the scale of parties with your own household members. You should also think about future parties or holiday celebrations and brainstorm the changes you want to make. Keep notes in a notebook, calendar event, or somewhere you will find them later. Then, once it is safe, you will have a plan for creating less waste in place. Always check for updates from the Minnesota Department of Health for the latest guidelines on gatherings.
Ditch the disposables
The first rule of low-waste parties is to avoid anything meant to be thrown away after a single use. Make sure to use reusable plates, cups, utensils, and even napkins at your next celebration. It makes your event feel fancier, too!
Look for extra sets of dishes and utensils at secondhand stores and garage sales. You could also borrow a set from a friend or family member or have people bring their own of whatever you need (e.g. designate your chili fest “BYO bowl”). At the end of your occasion, load up the dishwasher and add your napkins to the next load of laundry. Enlist helpers if you don’t have a dishwasher.
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If you cannot use reusable tableware, make sure everything is recyclable or certified compostable and dispose of it properly. These items tend to be pricier, so save money by avoiding extra items like straws and stir sticks, writing names on cups, and mixing and matching reusable and disposable items if you do have enough of something reusable (like forks).
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Dining
Think about waste when planning your menu. Use your low-waste shopping habits like buying in bulk, bringing your own containers and bags, and shopping at a farmers market for local foods.
Some easy snacking or appetizer options are cut-up fruits and veggies or bulk-bin items like nuts or unwrapped candies. Serve drinks such as flavored water or tea in dispensers, or purchase beverages in returnable growlers or kegs.
For meals, make an appropriate number of servings and have a plan for leftovers. If you do provide cans, bottles, or other containers, make sure put out a well-labeled recycling container. If you’re using a caterer, confirm or request their low-waste options. Zero waste is becoming a popular selling point, so most caterers are knowledgeable about their sustainability initiatives and can comply with at least some of your requests.
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Decorating
Decorations are another source of trash from celebrations. Avoid plastic or Mylar balloons, streamers, props and other items that are only useful for the day of the party. Instead, consider having a stock of versatile decorations such as reusable string lights, bunting, soy or beeswax candles, and cloth tablecloths that form the foundation of your decorations.
You can change up accent pieces, such as table runners, and make your own centerpieces from fresh cut flowers, houseplants, seasonal produce or greenery. For winter holidays, kids and adults can make paper snowflakes or other cutouts from newspaper, magazines, or other reused paper. Pinecones, cranberries and popcorn on a string, or colorful candies in a dish are traditional options as well.
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Disposal
Don’t forget the last step to separate your waste. Make your system easy and clear. If you don’t have any items that go in the trash, keep your trash can closed or out of sight! Order extra signage from Hennepin County (contact your liaison) or get the kids to decorate and label special event containers. If you don’t have organics recycling service at home, take compostable foodservice items to a drop-off. Finally, after your party is over, clean up using green cleaners.
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