At divain, the planet comes first. That's why we want to continue giving you ideas and tips on how to care for the environment with small actions. Today we delve into the world of bulk shopping.
If you want to be surprised, keep reading, because the number of benefits (both for the environment and our wallets) is incredible. You definitely won't expect these!
Advantages of buying in bulk
You reduce plastic packaging. It's common knowledge how harmful plastic is to the environment. Well…did you know that 39.9% of the plastic produced worldwide goes towards manufacturing packaging?If we buy in bulk with our own reusable containers or cloth bags, we'll be helping to reduce the demand for plastic packaging. And in this world, direct proportionality reigns: the less demand there is for plastic packaging, the fewer plastic containers will be manufactured. The result? A much happier, plastic-free world. You only buy what you need. This translates into two huge benefits, both for you and the environment. First, it prevents food waste, since you've chosen the quantity and won't have leftovers that you don't know what to do with and that end up spoiling. On the other hand, you choose the exact amount, so if you need a small quantity, you'll pay the price for that small amount and not for the whole package, thus saving a few euros on each purchase (a great trick to save money every day). You support local businesses. Today, more than ever, it's vitally important that we support small businesses. And it's in these small shops where you can buy almost everything in bulk, unlike in supermarkets, where 90% of what they sell comes pre-packaged. Surely you have a shop in your neighborhood where you can buy olives or nuts in bulk, while in supermarkets they're always packaged in 100 or 150-gram quantities. The products are more natural. Generally speaking, the products we buy in bulk are 100% natural and organic, so their quality is much higher. They also tend to come from small, local farmers, so we kill two birds with one stone: we eat a healthier diet and support our local communities.
The possibility of a much more varied diet.Have you ever wanted to try a new food but hesitated because it came in a large package and you were afraid of wasting it? Well, that's over with buying in bulk! You can get a small amount of the food you want to try and see if you like it or not without wasting anything, expanding your food horizons and giving you a much more varied diet. Sounds good, right?
What kind of products can you buy in bulk?
Many more than you imagine! Below are some of the most common and easy-to-find options, so you can gradually introduce this shopping habit into your routine:
- Buying legumes in bulk is one of the best ways to get started with bulk shopping, as they are non-perishable and easy to store. You can buy legumes this way at any local greengrocer. Bring a sturdy cloth bag with you so it can hold the weight of your purchases without tearing.
- Buying loose-leaf tea or herbal infusions is another great way to reduce plastic consumption, since almost all infusions come in plastic bags or containers. Grab an airtight jar you have at home and head to a herbalist shop.
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Buying loose-leaf nuts is good not only for the environment, but also for your wallet! These products are usually expensive, and even more so when bought in small quantities, so the more you buy, the better the price.
Where to buy in bulk?
Now that you've seen the advantages of buying in bulk, we're sure you're itching to try it. But you're probably wondering... where can I do it? You have two options: buy in bulk online or at small local shops.
Buying in bulk at local stores has great advantages because, by seeing the product live and in person, you can better calculate the quantities you need to buy and see its quality.
You'll also discover the charm of small businesses, where the service is incredibly personal and friendly, something we at Divain consider essential.
Buy in bulk online
Not having time to visit different physical stores is no excuse not to buy in bulk. And, of course, the vast internet also offers us this possibility. This way of consuming is ideal for acquiring large quantities of non-perishable products and those that are difficult to transport. Examples of these types of products are oil or wine. Imagine the amount of glass and plastic containers we would be saving if, instead of buying bottles by the liter, we bought them in much larger containers, of 15 or 20 liters.
Furthermore, it's a great way to directly support traditional wineries or olive oil millsthat sell their product directly without intermediaries.
You can also buy spices in bulk online, as they are a non-perishable product and can be purchased in large quantities.
If you want to discover more actions you can take to help the environment, don't miss our article on small actions to care for the environment that you can do every day. Change is in everyone's hands and every little gesture counts!
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