Grocery shopping: Baby steps to becoming plastic-free

According to Tatiana Antonelli Abella, founder and managing director of social enterprise Goumbook, the thought of going plastic-free can be daunting upon first consideration. But step by step it can be fully incorporated in your lifestyle so it becomes a habit.

1) When grocery shopping, make it a habit to bring your reusable bags, net bags for fresh produce, containers for cold cuts, and jars for ready-made salads.

2) Fruits and vegetables: Choose those not packaged in plastic. Use a lightweight cloth bag to put your produce in and have it weighed. Put the bar code stickers on the fruit for big fruit like melons, bananas, etc.

3) Cold cuts/salads: Bring your own container and ask the salespeople to weigh it first before putting your meat and have it weighed again. Request sales people not to wrap it in cling film and close the lid tightly.

4) Bread: Instead of getting your bread wrapped in plastic, bring reusable wax paper bags and make sure you preseve them well for multiple use.

5) Cheese: Choose the ones that are not shredded and bring your own container.

6) Butter: Always choose the ones wrapped in paper/ paper boxes. The same rule applies for pastas, soaps and others.

7) Bottled Water: Buy a glass or stainless steel water bottle and just refill with your filtered water from home. But if you must, opt for glass bottles.

8) Nappies and wipes: Opt for the eco-friendly varieties that degrade. You will see it on the label.

9) Party items: Always choose paper plates, bamboo cutlery or those made of cornstarch; paper straws are also becoming available.