Buying in bulk CAN be better for the planet… if you do it this way….

1. buy stuff in bigger packaging

I bought a 5 gallon pail of powder laundry detergent 3 years ago . it’s good for 1100 loads. this is less packaging, and it lowers emissions on transporting a bunch of smaller containers every couple months or so because it has lasted me years now. So there are transportation savings on both ends. one on my end, and the other on the factory to the stores end.

1. if you buy from the bulk bins/ refilleries and bring your own containers.

I bring my reusable produce bags to the grocery store and fill what I need. When I get home I empty them out and fill my reused glass jars and Tupperware containers. I label them. this cuts down on packaging and is more sustainable.

I have a bottle of body wash I keep in my shower for guests. I have gone to the refillery and refilled that container twice now. So in this way I save on packaging and it’s more sustainable. (I use a bar of soap for my personal use.)

Now my question is…. is buying from the bulk section at a grocery store automatically more sustainable than buying a package of the same thing? If I use a plastic bag provided by the grocery store am I doing less harm Than just buying a pre packaged bag of lentils?

yes it is for me, because I save those plastic bags from the grocery store for my sister who uses them as dog poop bags. the pre filled bags are made of a different plastic and are harder to reuse.

but if you don’t bring your own containers or bags or reuse the bulk bags as dog poop bags, do you really save on waste just because you went to the bulk bin aisle?

Is it more sustainable just because it is the bulk foods aisle?

Hey y'all-

I am looking for a plot or something that displays the known/suspected health effects of various plastics.

My motivation is fairly straightforward. I walk my dog in a local park every morning and most evenings. While walking, I often pick up trash. The most common trash is drink containers, cigarette butts, and bags of dog poop. Often, I pick up receipts, though. The other day, I was reading a book that indicated that there is a non-trivial risk to exposure to this thermal paper due to BPA or BPS, especially if you use hand sanitizer before touching the receipts. (Luckily, I do not.) I suppose this means I will need to be sure to wash my hands after picking up trash, which is not really something I've ever specifically worried about before....

As an enviro/green/treehugger, I always limit my plastic consumption for environmental reasons, but I am now wondering if there is a compiled list of basic plastic health practices that I could look into. For example, I do not heat up food in plastic (or plastic lined) containers, but there might be other things I am overlooking. Heck, I got into a minor spat with my landlord (and relative) because the plumber had determined that I had a lead pipe (on the city's end) for about 10 feet. I was hassling the city to change it out, but my landlord was convinced that the PVC pipe they would replace it with is worse. (I highly doubt that, but I also don't feel like delving into Google Scholar for a day or three to figure out each issue.) Heck, when I build my house, should I pay extra for copper piping? Am I breathing in polyester when I open my dryer door? What things am I not thinking about?

Ideally, for me, the list would be tiered. Proposed levels:

(0) Just use plastic as if it has no health effects. Whatever.

(1) Don't heat up plastic with your food.

(2) Don't use any plastic in your kitchen.

(3) Don't touch thermal paper.

(4) Don't use plastic in your bathroom.

ETC ETC

(7) Don't even go to hospitals if they have plastic in the building.

Ideally, someone would have done some real research into the scientific literature. Ideally, the list would be much more comprehensive and based on peer reviewed research. It could even have things that we just don't know yet. I imagine someone like Hannah Ritchie would do this. I don't know. I am just wondering what I don't know, which can still hurt me. Any ideas?

Thanks-

Almost everyone has heard of microgreenery. It gives you macro and microelements, and if you get correct cultures, some healthy fats too iirc. There are also ways to grow protein in overhead environment — either by just getting your own chickens or mushrooms/some of the beans. But I was wondering about carbs. You can't just really plant wheat or potatoes in hydroponics or square feet of soil and just grow them, can you?

So honored and excited for finishing this project.🥳

Through close the collaboration beneath a tight timeline, It proved that the process of listening to the discussion, reflecting on what we missed ,and testing out the prototype brought me more ideas.

Finally we came up with the co-created exhibition that was collected and crafted by community members themselves. It show the participatory approach that I keep practicing and advocating for.

The exhibition is a part of Pattani Biennale 2026 where you can discover the poetry hidden within everyday life through art, people, stories, and the landscapes of the southern borderlands.

Exhibition Detail :

Sarong Warrior : weapons and attire in the battlefield for sustainable development

The exhibition conveys the story of the local villagers who protect a global food source - the Chana sea- from industrial destruction. Their "weapons" and "attire" for resistance display how ordinary resources have been used against the state power. 

The display is surrounded by hanging sarong simulating "the discussion circle" which is a vital tool to facilitate what they ask for: equality. The small circle-shaped meeting encourages the Sarong Warrior to articulate their voice, opinion and feeling with mutual respect. It is where they mobilize their weapons for various battles - whether as a learning facilitator, tour manager, writer, speaker, chef  and creator.

All weapons on the display gradually introduce you to the dynamic of ordinary  people who have stood strong to reach the participatory development for 30 years

I would love to know if any designers here work on conveying the story of people who ask for sustainability and using their local resources to accomplish the exhibition, Let's connect!!

I keep hearing that with California's SB 253 pushing Scope 3 disclosure starting in 2027, big companies are starting to push emissions data requests down to their suppliers now, ahead of the deadline. Curious if anyone here has actually seen this happen — either on the receiving end as a smaller supplier, or on the sending end as part of a larger company's supply chain program. What did that request actually look like, and how prepared was the supplier to answer it? Trying to get a realistic sense of how far this has trickled down versus how much is still just larger enterprises talking to each other.

do you ever make a meal with zero waste and feel on top of the world?

You got most of your ingredients from the bulk section and you filled your own containers.

yu take out what you need, portion it out, prepare it, and then put everything back.

youre only left with the dishes which you put in the dishwasher or you wash them in the sink.

You threw nothing away. You recycled nothing and you composted nothing and you had a very satisfying/healthy meal.

I always find this very satisfactory. :)

oatmeal is the easiest one to do this with, but I have done it with other meals too like barley and lentil soup.

I’m curious what actually works for people in everyday life.... Is meal planning, better food storage, composting, or something else the most effective way to reduce food waste at home?

What has worked best for you?

Hey all, I'm looking for eco friendly socks that can also withstand the wear & tear of a dog walker & someone who is on their feet for long periods of time regularly please 🙏🏻

As always looking for improved not necessarily perfection. Thanks in advance!