my first haphazard attempt a zero waste shopping

My first attempt at zero waste shopping occurred yesterday. Maybe not an epic failure, but certainly not a success.

I had spent the morning making these nifty draw string bags out of old t-shirts and I couldn't wait to use them.

I chose to go to Whole Foods. I figured since I was trying to use less packaging they would be sensitive to that and have plenty of bulk options - they didn't. I made the mistake of going to the smaller Whole Foods that is closer to my house and on the bus route. They apparently specialize in packaged goods.

I got a handful of veggies there and went back to my home grocery store of King Soopers. Now they do have an impressive bulk section, but I realized that what I was searching for wasn't bulk items.

I promised my fiance lentil veggie tostadas for dinner which I knew wouldn't be ZERO waste, but I was hoping to only get packaging with the tostadas. As it turns out there is no "bulk cheese" option that I found at either store. I'm not a big cheese eater, but my fiance is and I don't think he's as gung-ho about this as I am :)

I also bought packaging with our toothpaste. I know eventually we will go to tooth powder, but we're just not ready yet.  It is a process, after all. I also bought packaging with our toilet paper. I know Seventh Generation has a product wrapped in paper, but neither King Soopers or Whole Foods had it. I suppose I should have asked for it so my voice would have been heard, instead I just purchased the 12-roll in plastic and took the bus home without a word.

All in all I'm a little disheartened by this experience. It seems like if you want to buy anything other than grains or veggies then you'll have either make it yourself or drive all over town to the various specialty stores that carry bulk cheese/raw milk/etc.  I'm not opposed to making things myself - I love that, in fact, but I work full time and don't always have the time to make my own yogurt or energy bars or whatever. I suppose that is part of the process, too.

Thank goodness farmers market season is gearing up!