
Back in January, I determined that I wanted to try and reduce my consumption of single-use containers. I have stopped by buying bottled water and carry my coffee to work with me each day in a reusable mug or canning jar (I like the canning jar better, because it means I can seal up my coffee and toss it in my bag until I get to work. I realize a thermos would also work, but I get a crazy sense of satisfaction out of drinking from a glass jar).
I've also tried to find places that sell in bulk and where I can bring my own containers and thus reduce my consumption even further. Whole Foods doesn't mind if I bring my own plastic bags for goods from the bulk section, but when I tried to bring a jar for peanut butter, I got some strange looks and was eventually told I couldn't do it that way. What I really want to find is a place like the Good Food Store that the No Impact Man wrote about today. This is a grocery store in Missoula, Montana that encourages its patrons to bring back clean jars. The store then sterilizes the jars and puts them on a shelf near their bulk section so that other shoppers can use them for a variety of bulk wet products. It seems to me like an excellent way to get your food shopping done and consume less packaging in one neat step.











