We want to make the right decisions when we shop, but with so many different options on offer, how are we supposed to find out which one is the best for the planet?
Guardian Money asked four experts. They are: Tim Lang, Emeritus Professor of Food Policy at City University, London Center for Food Policy; Clare Oxborrow, Senior Sustainability Analyst at Friends of the Earth; Isabella Woodward, researcher for the ethical comparison website The Good Shopping Guide; and Caroline Drummond, CEO of Leaf (Linking the environment and agriculture.
Is it greener to drive to a supermarket or book a delivery?
Tim lang It depends on how much you buy. Practically, it is difficult to know what the impact of that delivery van is. If you own your own truck and fill it up on a trip, the carbon spent becomes proportionally smaller per food than if you drive to the store and buy little. The best strategy is to walk or ride a bike: you are exercising, putting the energy embedded in the food you eat to good use and not polluting yourself with your car. Electric cars simply push pollution elsewhere: to the generating source.
Friends of the earth There are so many factors. For deliveries, there are several questions. First, where does the food come from? Is it a warehouse? A store? And how far do they use energy-intensive refrigerated vans? Many supermarkets are switching to electric vans, so it is important to check what is available locally. The truth is that going to the supermarket on foot or by bicycle is the best option, or opting for public transport.
Leaf For a van to deliver in remote locations it may not be greener, but that driver might be the only person a person living in a remote area has seen all week … It is really important to understand balance and Trade-offs between impact on the environment, along with economic viability and social acceptability and, indeed, health.
It’s organic always better?
Tim lang Not always. Organic has the great advantage of not being associated with the use of pesticides. In July I saw organic spring onions grown in Mexico in a UK supermarket. That’s ridiculous. In reality, consumers get almost no information about the many ways in which our food impacts. That is why I, and many people, ask for a new “omni-directional” system that provides the variety of information: not only environmental data, but also health, social and economic data. We do not know, for example, how much of what we spend actually reaches the primary producer.
Friends of the earth Organic is the gold standard … so if you can afford it, it’s a great option. When it comes to meat and dairy, it will almost always be the best environmental option in a supermarket. It costs a bit more, but buying less and swapping a little meat on your plates with other high-protein foods like lentils will make it easier.
The good shopping guide In general, organic crops are better for nature and the biosphere. Organic farming minimizes the use of pesticides, which have a potentially adverse impact on wildlife and soil. Also, pesticides can be harmful to farm workers. However, it is important to balance this with the miles of food. Organic produce shipped from thousands of miles away can be more damaging to the environment. So we recommend buying locally grown organic ingredients whenever possible.
Can packaging reduce food waste?
Tim lang Plastic wrap is usually good news for retailers as they know it slows down the decomposition process, but it is terrible for consumers and the environment. I always say: good food spoils.
Friends of the earth Wrapping fruits and vegetables in plastic can mask the fact that they are no longer fresh. And fruits and vegetables left in airless plastic containers often go moldy faster than loose items without unnecessary wrapping. Considering that packaging is responsible for 70% of our plastic waste, it can make a big difference. It is always best to buy loose fruits and vegetables, making sure they are as fresh as possible. If stored correctly, they can also last longer.
Leaf The packaging has certainly created an opportunity to extend our seasons and the storage of fresh fruits and vegetables; however, fossil fuel-based plastics and single-use plastics that are not recyclable must be phased out. The more we can extend the time in which fruits and vegetables are tasty, nutritious and are sure of their growing quality, the better. Canning, freezing, canning, storage, use of LED lights, and growth ability provide that opportunity.
What bags should I use?
Tim lang If you are walking to the stores, invest in a good car. The trolleys are in fashion. Plastic bags are bad news, but the onslaught continues and it’s hard to avoid unless you get used to carrying your own bag.
Friends of the earth Those designed to be reused tend to have a lower environmental impact than single-use plastic bags, but more importantly, they must be used a sufficient number of times. For cotton bags, 50-150 times; paper bags, four to eight times; Durable plastic bags like lifetime bags, 10-20 times. Cotton bags can be used for years and can be washed and reused. So if you look at it long term, cotton is better and more durable than plastic, especially if it is unbleached organic fiber.
The good shopping guide There are pros and cons to all kinds of shopping bags. The main problem is that many people use them once and discard them later. Regardless of the material they are, single-use bags are always unsustainable. Whichever bag you prefer to use, remember to take it to the store.
Leaf I’m a big fan of the cotton tote bag. We’ve seen a huge movement of people who are always looking forward to a new plastic bag when shopping, and our next step is to strive to ensure that the bags we use are durable, sustainably sourced, and robust.
That the best one buyer must do to help the planet?
Tim lang Cut down on the meat. Eat it less often and buy high-quality meat, such as grass-fed. Less but better.
Friends of the earth Livestock production has a huge environmental impact, contributing 14.5% of the emissions that warm the planet in the world. Industry is also a key driver of deforestation and the loss of important habitats, not to mention the large amount of water and fertilizers required, or the amount of waste produced in the process. That is why buying and eating less meat and dairy is one of the best ways to reduce our own environmental impact.
The good shopping guide Be aware of ethical issues. This not only relates to the supermarket you use, but also the brands you are shopping for. We independently evaluate companies in their practices towards the environment, animals and people, providing a score of 100 for each brand.
Leaf Naturally, look for and buy Leaf Marque products. Quality fruits and vegetables grown with care for the environment, enhancing biodiversity, improving the health of our soil and water quality, and grown by farmers committed to more regenerative and climate-positive agricultural systems. Plus, visit a farm to see what farmers are doing to address the challenges of climate change.