Environmental Shopping Supermarket Tour

Introduction Program Goals Tour Outline A Sample Supermarket Tour Final Activity Closing These Environmental Shopping Tour Guidelines were complied from materials developed by the League of Women Voters, New Castle, NY and the Pennsylvania Resource Council.		Environmental Shopping Supermarket Tour Program The Northeast Counties Recycling and Solid Waste Planning Association, which was originally comprised of representatives from Bergen, Hudson and Passaic Counties, undertook an active campaign to reduce packaging waste which is approximately 31.6% of the average household's garbage in March of 1993. One of the most logical ways is to encourage people to reduce their trash before it is produced, at the source or point of purchase. This is called Source Reduction or Pre-cycling. Every purchase that is made acts as a vote for that certain product. If consumers continue to purchase products that are over-packaged, toxic to the environment, not recyclable or not made with recycled materials, manufacturers will never have the incentive to improve their products. Environmental shopping allows individuals to take an active role in decreasing waste. An important part of our overall source reduction campaign revolves around "Environmental Shopping Supermarket Tours." These tours are walking excursions through the aisles a local supermarket, where small groups are guided by trained educators. An Environmental Shopping Supermarket Tour educates consumers about packaging issues, stresses the importance of recycling, and acquaints shoppers with important waste reduction techniques. Across the United States millions of tons of trash are generated every day. The time has come for all of us to think about our environment when making choices at the supermarket. An Environmental Shopping Supermarket Tours is one way to make a difference. Back To Top
		Environmental Shopping promotes sound environmental shopping practices, educates consumers about packaging issues, stresses recycling and acquaints shoppers with waste reduction techniques when purchasing products. By teaming up with the local food chains in a public/private partnership, a valuable service is provided at minimum government/organization cost. Program Goals To modify the behavior of consumers by raising their environmental consciousness and increasing their knowledge in the area of Source Reduction, most specifically in the area of food shopping through the educational process. Program Outline: The Environmental Shopping Tour consists of a walk through tour of a selected food store focusing on a few basic points: 1. Various products may be excessively packaged. Packaging used for the integrity or safety of a product is discussed as opposed to "pretty" packaging. The intent is to neither endorse, promote nor product-bash any manufacturer. The objective is to give the consumer the knowledge to allow him/her to make informed, environmentally-sound decisions when purchasing products. 2. Plastics are discussed so that the consumer knows the difference between plastics that are easily recycled, and those that are not. Discussion on knowing what is recycled in the consumer's own community is stressed. 3. Products made from recycled material and those which are recyclable are discussed. The difficulty in recycling packaging that consists of more than one material is discussed. 4. Disposable and one-time use only items are discussed. 5. Manufacturers' claims as to the "degradability" of plastics are discussed. The term "degradability" is explained as well as the lack of guidelines and standard definitions needed to substantiate manufacturers' claims regarding "environmentally conscious" or "green" packaging. 6. The 5 R's are discussed. a. Reduce - the amount of waste that we produce; b. Reuse - as much as possible; c. Recycled - whatever is recyclable in your community; d. Reject - products that are over-packaged; e. React - talk to store owners, manufacturers, and legislators. Let them know you are concerned about products that are over-packaged or harmful to the environment. The tour can last anywhere from 1-2 hours.
		Targeted Groups: Environmental Commissions, Teachers, Recycling Coordinators, School Science/Ecology Clubs, Home Economic classes/teachers, League of Women Voters, Women's Clubs, Senior Citizens, Mental Health Care Directors, Girl Scout/Boy Scout/4H Club Leaders. Organization of Tours: Once groups are targeted, explanatory letters are sent to all groups with a draft schedule of tour dates. This is done in coordination with the manager of the selected food store. Program Logo: A uniform program logo and graphics will be created and used in all promotional materials, including store and newspaper advertising. Program Brochure: A brochure explaining Environmental Shopping, how it can be done, and why it should be done. This brochure will be available for customer distribution at all branches of participating food chains and at the tour itself. A list of resources such as environmental organizations, newsletters, books, reports, magazines, and catalogs dealing with the topic of source reduction will also be distributed to tour participants. Program Advertising: Done in conjunction with the participating food chains advertising will consist of press releases to all area newspapers, paid ads purchased by the food chain in the larger county newspapers, promotion of the tour on any TV/radio advertising that is done by the food chain, and in recorded announcements played periodically throughout all branches of the food chain. Program Evaluation: Periodic program evaluations will be held among staff members, store managers and store representative to discuss the success of the program and/or ways to improve/expand/enhance the program. Back To Top
		Alone, with a group of friends or as a group effort in your community, the following Environmental Shopping Tour can either make for an interesting afternoon or an important community project. Consider using these guidelines to run a series of tours in your community. Keep in mind that issues related to packaging do change. What is felt to be "environmentally correct" today may not be tomorrow as products and manufacturing practices change. Possible Topics For Discussion Or Thought On Your Tour Sample Supermarket Tour Possible Topics For Discussion Or Thought On Your Tour: The 5 R's of Environmental Shopping, Reducing, Reusing, Recycling, Rejecting and Reacting: The core of the Environmental Shopping program and essential in any tour. Source Reduction: Not always apparent on the shelf, but given top priority on the federal level. Manufacturer's claims/Green products: What to believe, how to evaluate them, what to pay? Defining Terms: Is anyone trying to stop the use of false and misleading claims? Life Cycle Analysis: Attempts to compare total environmental impact of products from cradle to grave often means comparing apples and oranges. Environmental Seals of Approval (e.g. Green Cross, Green Seal): Attempts to address consumer's desire to identify environmentally friendly products: how do they decide and how well do they do it? Aerosols: Are they now safe for the ozone? Recycled/Recyclable Materials: What does recycled content mean; how can you tell recycled packaging; what is recyclable? Convenience/Lifestyle: The conflicts between single servings, microwaveable containers, excessive packaging and environmental quality. Degradability in Plastics: Where is it useful; where is it misleading; and how degradable are they? Plastic Labelling: How to use the codes on plastics that denote the various types of plastic? Note: Include only topics that you feel comfortable discussing within your group. Back To Top
		(Note: Topics and sections in parentheses are optional) Stop 1: Introduction Introduce yourself and ask questions of participants: How many use their own shopping bags? How many are recycling at home? What is recyclable locally? What do they want to learn on the tour? It is important to start tours with an exchange of ideas. Give an overview of the waste problem and the principles of Environmental Shopping - considering the environmental impact of the products you buy and selecting "environmentally friendly" products and packaging when you have a choice. Review The 5 R's of Environmental Shopping Point out that the environmental shopping choices made today may change tomorrow as new products come on the market and new recycling efforts come on board. Allow time for questions. Stop 2: Produce Section No Packaging vs. Minimal Packaging vs. Excessive Packaging Making packaging choices: discussion of packaging choices available. Looking for local produce/in season. Mention the importance of making an environmental shopping kit: canvas bags, reused paper bags, smaller paper or plastic bags with twist ties. Stop 3: Jam and Peanut Butter Examples of reusable, recyclable, non-recyclable, large size packaging Peanut Butter: glass jar vs. plastic jar - Both may be recyclable but glass can be recycled back into glass while plastic is recycled into other things. (Other factors to consider: safety, weight of packaging when transported). Note the codes on the bottom of plastic packaging. This is a voluntary coding system adopted by the plastics industry to identify the specific plastic materials used. Codes 1 & 2 are the most readily recyclable at this time. Code 1 (PET) can be recycled into more plastic containers while other codes are recycled into other plastic products. Stop 4: Rice/Pastas/Packaged Meals Convenience/lifestyle issues : individual servings and microwave containers vs. environmental and cost concerns. How to tell recycled paperboard packaging. Microwave Rice vs. Bags - Compare the excess packaging of the microwave product with the large bags or boxes. You need more than 20 packages of the microwave product to equal a 5 pound bag of rice. It is 16 times more expensive - about $32.00 for the 5 pound equivalent.* This information was obtained from the New Castle, New York League of Women Voters. Stop 5: Condiments - optional)* Plastic vs. Glass Containers (Plastic recycling codes: Review the meanings and determine what can usually be recycled or recycled in your community) Ketchup - Great example of how companies listen to consumers; Heinz Squeezable Ketchup bottle was not recyclable, now the company is changing it in response to environmental outcry. Companies listen to two things; 1) sales figures - so don't buy a product if you consider it environmentally unfriendly; and 2) consumer voices - so look on the product's package for an address or telephone number and write or call the company to tell them what you think. Stop 6: Drinks Recyclable plastics vs. other packaging types Coke and Pepsi in recycled PET (#1-with 25% recycled content) containers that are also recyclable in most municipalities. Aseptic packaging not easily recyclable due to layered structure: consider the use of a thermos instead. The overall cost (life cycle) makes the product very positive except for disposal. Aluminum, glass and metals are often recyclable, so choose according to what can be recycled locally. Stop 7: Paper Products Recycled content: Symbol on package and it's meaning. Lack of definition of terms for recycled content, recyclable, (Attempts to set definitions -- CONEG, industry) "Green Products": check claims, compare prices. (Labeling programs: Green Cross, Green Seal, EPA, Other Countries) Remember - this is where your junk mail goes ! Paper Products - Minimize use; use reusable alternatives like sponges, cloth napkins, cloth towels for spills, etc. Look for paper products made from recycled paper. Notice those paper towels that are unbleached -bleaching in the manufacturing process creates dioxins. (Stop 8: Coffee/Teas-optional) Coffee filters: Reusable vs. recyclable - unbleached vs. bleached Tea options: loose vs. bags Coffee Cans vs. Brick Packs Stop 9: Laundry Detergents & House Cleaners Concentrates and refills for fabric softeners & detergent (In terms of actual source reduction: What it is, it's importance and the issue of low visibility to the public). Note the recycled plastic containers. Laundry Detergents - Same plastic vs. paperboard dilemma as in milk cartons. Plastic bottles can be recycled. Some powders may contain small amounts of phosphates. Buy large sizes to reduce packaging. Also, use combination products like detergent with fabric softener instead of separate products to reduce packaging. House Cleaners-Choosing less toxic alternatives Considering the use of Borax, vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda for cleaning jobs. They are old fashioned sounding but they work and save money. Stop 10: Plastic Bags Trash disposal: Degradability issues of plastic vs. paper in landfills What does it mean? More manufacturer's claims. Try to reduce use of plastic wraps and bags - use plastic containers to wrap foods at home. If you must use, look for recycled content. Degradable plastic bags are a fallacy - they do not degrade in an air tight landfill where they receive no air or water. In addition, they contaminate efforts to recycle plastic bags. (They are an example of misleading advertising and labeling). Stop 11: Pet Foods Buying in Bulk Pet Foods - Buy in bulk (large bags) vs. single serve cans to reduce packaging waste. Recycle cans (rinse cans and remove labels). The discussion in this area, applies to cereals, paper products, canned foods, etc. - unit prices should be checked. Stop 12: Baby Products Diaper issues: cloth vs. paper. Best choice is unclear and may be situation dependent: water vs. landfill choice. (Life cycle Analysis). Compostable paper diapers: different than degradable. Proctor & Gamble research is ongoing on mass composting. Stop 13: Personal Products Aerosols: "Ozone Friendly". All consumer users of CFC's being phased out or banned except in essential medical uses. It's unclear the impact of the other propellants at this time; some replacements are also ozone depleting. Alternatives are also available such as pumps and pump refills. Cosmetics packaging: up to 1/3 the cost of the product. Essential packaging - tamper-proof medicine vs. men's and women's deodorants. (Stop 14: Dairy Case - optional) Box Pudding vs. Refrigerated Pudding - Another example of the extra packaging found in convenience foods. Blister Paks - Example of excessive packaging. Milk Cartons vs. Plastic Jugs - Plastic can be recycled but isn't necessarily the best choice. The dilemma here is that plastics are made from petrochemicals which are a non-renewable resource and paper cartons are obviously from trees, a renewable resource. But paper cartons are bleached causing a potential hazard. Both plastic and paper carton manufacturing processes are environmentally costly. No clear cut answer here - unless you find a milkman who delivers glass bottles. Orange Juice - Forms of orange juice with the least packaging waste are fresh oranges that you squeeze at home (compost the rinds) or frozen concentrate. Plastic containers can be recycled the same concerns as with milk jugs also apply. Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream - These containers may also be recyclable. Try to reuse whenever possible. Eggs - Paperboard packaging vs. polystyrene. Check your area for paperboard and plastic recycling. Stop 15: Check Out Counter Bags: Reuse paper or plastic bags until not useful, then recycle. Use cloth bags. You can carry a string bag in your purse or pocket. Again, mention the importance of making an environmental shopping kit: canvas bags, reused paper bags, smaller paper or plastic bags with twist ties. Stop 16: Service Counter/Offices Encourage the participants to talk to the management about products carried or needed in the store and store practices. Back To Top Take the participants to a different section of the store and ask a volunteer to evaluate the packaging of various products and the amount of choice in the department. How could the products and their packaging be improved? Are there any alternatives? Can you contact the manufacturer? Are there environmental claims on any products? Possible sections to use: baked foods, canned foods, specialty foods or the dairy or coffee/tea sections if not used during the tour. Back To Top
		Congratulate the participants. Advise them that many manufacturers are responding to consumer demands - you have only mentioned a few. REMEMBER : This is only a sample guide to help tour leaders. As a tour leader you may want to go to the supermarket on your own to review the various products and practice your tour. Back To Top