Bulk Barn aka my new best friend

I went to bulk barn. In my reading I found that most 'zero waste' enthusiast shop bulk with their own jars. The idea of doing a whole shopping trip and bringing enough jars and cloth bags and produce bags seemed very intimidating to me. I didn't know how many jars I would need, I didn't know where exactly to buy things bulk. 

Earlier this week I had a small trip of errands to run. I needed three things: milk, trail mix, and icing sugar. A good practice run. 

I tried to find a way to buy milk that is totally waste free and most of the places I looked said to make your own. I am pretty stoked about zero waste, but Josh and I drink milk at an astronomical rate and if I had to make us milk I would never stop making milk. The two litre jugs are recyclable and thats good enough to me. If I ever try to make my own milk I will let you all know. I probably won't.

While at superstore picking up milk I saw some sweet mason jars, they were also on sale, and I bought them. They are wide mouth ones, a bit bigger then the ones I had to pick up trail mix with. I am very excited about them because I might try to make soup in a jar for work. That's another story, moving on. 

Next stop was Bulk Barn. Which I already think is a wonder land. Using jars are super easy! All I had to do was to bring the two jars I wanted to fill to the lady at the front, she weighed them and put a sticker with the weight on the lid. Then all I had to do was walk around, fill my jars, and then take them to the front. It's only one extra step and I am not collecting two plastic bags that will just be thrown out! I love it. 

To me going 'zero waste' is not about creating no waste as well as no recycling. But to actually recycle my recycling. I learned that to day while figuring out how to buy milk. I put another bag under my sink for recycling, that way it is just as easy for me to recycle. 

I also learned that it is one more step in my shopping trip to reduce the amount of trash I create! I also really enjoy using jars and figuring out how many I'll need and using produce bags because it feels like a puzzle! I am loving this adventure.