Alternatives to Chemical Goods
Shopping Tips to Help you Reduce & Recycle
BAKERY
Use this section frequently. In this section you can buy fresh bread without plastic wrapping. As well, donuts, cakes and cookies can be purchased without plastic wrapping.
BEAUTY ITEMS
Buy toothpaste packaged in paperboard. The plastic "pump" is not recyclable. Mouthwash is available in #1 and #2 plastic bottles.
Choose shampoo in #1 and #2 recyclable plastic bottles, and without extra paper or plastic packaging.
Disposable razors are wasteful, and it is better to buy refillable or electric razors.
Hand soap and detergents are available in #1 and #2 plastic bottles, paper, and in some stores in concentrated form. Look for these new forms and speak to the store manager about supplying them. Bar soaps in paper wrappers are also a good choice.
BEVERAGES
Beverage containers are recyclable if they are in #1 and #2 plastic bottles, aluminum, or glass. It is up to you to decide between the three. Individually packaged "Tetra-paks" are convenient but not recyclable in our county. Six pack ring holders are not recyclable.
Juice is also available in frozen form. You can purchase it this way and mix at home in reusable glass or plastic.
BULK SECTION
Use this section whenever possible. It has snack food, candy, nuts, cookies and pet food.
CANNED GOODS
Purchase vegetables and fruit in cans - which are recyclable in Niagara County. Refer to the fresh produce section for additional alternatives.
CEREAL
Buy the larger sizes in paperboard packages, and giant economy sizes in paper. In addition, some stores have oatmeal and Cheerios in the bulk section. Paperboard boxes are recyclable-remove inner liners, flatten and put in the brown paper bag with your newspaper and other paper recyclables.
CONVENIENCE FOODS/FROZEN FOODS
Avoid this section entirely if at all possible. Excessive packaging in this section of your grocery store is a norm. Due to the fact that most families have both mother and father working outside the home, it is understandable that convenience foods are seen as a time saver. If this is the case pay careful attention to the packaging, and buy brands that are wrapped sparingly and in paper and cardboard. Plastic trays are not recyclable. Use the plastic trays from past purchases to reheat leftovers or convenience foods without trays. Waxed or plastic coated packaging designed for freezer or refrigerator storage is not recyclable.
COOKIES AND SNACK FOODS
Avoid over-packaged and individually wrapped candy, cookies, and donuts. These items are all available in the bakery and bulk sections of the store, and in a form that is not excessively packaged. When you do buy these, however, the paperboard is recyclable as noted above.
DAIRY SECTION
However you choose milk, it is not only the "perfect food" but all of its packaging is recyclable. A first choice would be the reusable glass containers sold locally in dairy stores; these bottles make 30 trips before breaking and are recycled. Milk in paper gabled-top cartons or in plastic bottles with the #2 on the bottom are also good choices as these containers can be recycled. You might also consider powdered milk in paperboard boxes, which are located in the baking aisle. These boxes are recyclable as long as the container is clean. Brush any leftover powder off before adding to your bag of recyclable paper.
Buy cheese without individually wrapped slices. Look to the deli counter for options.
Look for butter and margarine in paper wrapping. Margarine tubs are not recyclable even if they have #1 or #2 on the bottom.
HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS
Avoid "Hazardous Chemicals" which would include: oven cleaner, drain cleaner, lye, toilet bowl cleaner, silver polish, and many other items . When used according to directions, these items pose little threat, but when leftovers are disposed of incorrectly, they contribute to pollution. Buy only what you need, use it up, and throw the empty container in the trash. Or consider the many non-hazardous alternatives listed in our Alternates to Chemical Goods section.
MEATS
Meats are often packaged in styrofoam and plastic, but some stores are beginning to provide options. Avoid styrofoam and opt for minimal wrapping instead. In addition, some grocery stores have a fresh meat section where you can have your meat cut, and it is wrapped in paper.
The same goes for sandwich meats. Avoid individually packaged deli meats by frequenting the deli section. The meats are often fresher and can be sliced to desired thickness.
PAPER GOODS
Purchase tissue paper, toilet paper and paper towels that are made from recycled paper. These brands are available in most stores. Remember the tubes are now recyclable in the blue bin. Avoid the extra cost of paper napkins by using cloth. If you desire the convenience of disposable plates and cups from time-to-time, use those products made from recycled paper and avoid plastic and styrofoam.
PRODUCE
Do fruits and vegetables, with their thick skins, really need to be wrapped in plastic? Buy produce that has not been pre-wrapped with plastic or syrofoam. Try to avoid using the plastic bags provided in the produce section. Sometimes no bag is necessary at all; price tags can be directly applied to fruits and vegetables. If you need to put large quantities of fruits and vegetables in plastic bags, reuse the bags the at home as garbage bags for your wet kitchen waste and dinner scraps and avoid the purchase of plastic bags for this purpose.
SALAD DRESSINGS AND CONDIMENTS
Look for salad dressings that may be mixed at home in glass and other reusable containers. If you like the convenience of dressings already mixed, purchase glass or #1 and #2 plastic bottles.
WRAPS
Use reusable containers for your leftovers when possible.
**PLEASE REMEMBER**
Your choices in the marketplace do matter! Every shopper at your local grocery store is important to the manager. It takes only a fairly small number of shoppers to convince the manager to make changes and to stock environmentally sound products. When buying habits change, companies that produce excessively packaged and non-recycled products will notice.
Remember that packaging represents over one-third of all household trash. Try to stay away from packaging made of multi-materials, and those products with a very short life. Also, buy simple products with the highest content possible of recycled materials.
Many grocery stores offer you a choice to use paper bags instead of plastic. Keep in mind that plastic is made from a non-renewable resource. If you must use plastic, reuse it another time at home for another purpose like lining your waste basket or as a garbage bag for dinner scraps, etc. Even if you prefer plastic bags, ask for one or two paper bags to use in your weekly recycling of paper items in the blue bin.
Thank you for becoming an environmentally aware shopper, and doing your part to help us solve our planet’s environmental problems.
