How can i cut down on plastic packaging for staples without breaking the bank?

[Nicholas.A]

I’ve been trying to reduce my household’s plastic use, but I’m stuck on food packaging. Even when I buy loose produce, it seems like staples like rice, pasta, and beans only come wrapped in layers of plastic film or in those non-recyclable pouches. I’m starting to wonder if avoiding this kind of packaging is even possible for an average family without spending a fortune or driving to multiple specialty stores.

[CharlesNL]

I started buying rice and dried beans in bulk at a tiny co op and I brought my own jars. It did cut plastic a lot, but it wasn’t perfect. Some staples only showed up in paper bags with a plastic inner, and a bag tore loose in the cart. It worked on weekends, not when we were rushed after work.

[MarkYM]

We did a monthlong check of our trash and packaging before and after, and the biggest change came from the bulk bins at the co op and the local market for greens. Pasta and cereals still showed up in bags, and the coffee was in a foil plastic combo bag. It felt like progress but not a clean win.

[StephenM]

Maybe the bigger issue isn’t the plastic itself but how much energy and packaging goes into these products before they reach us. I’m not convinced I’m attacking the right thing, and I still buy some things wrapped in plastic because I’m not sure what else to do.

[Richard34]

I’ve tried ordering dry goods from brands that promise low packaging, but the shipping box or mailer ends up plastic anyway. The savings aren’t worth the extra waste to me, so I give up on some of those options for now.

[MarkHC]

Do you think the real problem is the packaging of staples or that most stores stock them only in plastic?