The Sustainable Kitchen

Armed with a little know-how about our shopping choices, we can all do our bit to help save the planet.

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If you’re serious about reducing waste and looking after the environment, the key is to think before you buy. Start by looking at what you already have. Perhaps it’s not needed after all, or it could be substituted with something else. Consider planning meals around what you have, rather than what you need to get. Be principled in your purchases, avoid anything that’s over-packaged, and as much as possible avoid plastics.

BULK-BUY DRY GOODS

Buying in bulk lessens the amount of packaging required. If you’re part of a small family, or a solo consumer, buy with friends and divvy things up. At home, transfer dry goods to glass jars or food-grade stainless steel containers.

CONVENIENCE FOOD

Try to shift your thinking and reduce your reliance on ready-made meals, as these come with an environmental price tag (and often a health one). Instead, try making as much of your own food as you can. For example, work towards stocking your pantry with things you’ve made yourself – jams, chutneys, muesli, homemade snacks and the like. You’ll be surprised at how easy most things are to make; after all, our parents, or at least grandparents did, with fewer modern conveniences available to them.

CANNED FOOD

Buy PBA-free cans with produce that’s been grown in your country of origin. Sadly, many supermarket lines don’t adhere to this. In particular think carefully about the canned seafood you purchase – choose wild salmon and responsibly sourced tuna. Tomatoes, canned beans and anchovies are all good things to have on hand to whip up quick and nutritious meals.

UNREFINED SUGARS