A good first step into greener lifestyle?

As someone attempting to reduce plastic bag consumption, I often see myself fall back into the vicious trap of plastic bags. For example, I would walk around the frozen meat section and voila, I ended up with a nice lamb cutlet or salmon slice handed to me in a plastic bag. I am still actively looking for viable alternatives for frozen meats and seafood. Shall share once I found a good option.

Staying alone + my impromptu cooking style means I tend to shop varieties over quantity eg: 3 tomatoes, 2 onions, 2 garlic and 3 potatoes. On a normal occasion, these would take up at least 1-2 plastic bags, and the number may go up to 4, depending on that supermarket’s policy. Why would I say that? I once experienced in a supermarket in which the staff has firmly but politely requested me to keep different produce in different bags. What could I do? The staff asked politely.

One of my cotton mesh bags, I have another one in bigger size.

After some time, I found some nice cotton mesh bags online and started using them. I clearly remembered my first shopping experience with these cotton mesh bags as I received eyes (mostly envious). The weighing station lady even told me she liked these bags and was asking me where I got them. She also mentioned that a regular customer often comes with such bags too, but his bag was much bigger in size. I went home with great accomplishment and was feeling really proud that the supermarket I went to, allowed me to use my mesh bags, with price stickers stuck on them. I was even allowed to mix 2 items in a bag with a separate price tag.

However, not all roads towards reducing plastic consumption are a glory one, at least not all for me. I went again to the same supermarket with the same cotton mesh bags like a month after. This time the staff strictly informed me that I have to keep all items in their plastic bags as this was their new policy. I was not happy obviously. Only thing I could do back then was put as many varieties in one plastic bag as possible. I ended up with one plastic bag full of colourful produce, covered in many eyesore price tags. Lesson here: if cannot be avoided, reduce at least.

It is easy to type out “zero waste” or “plastic free” lifestyle, but in real life, it takes years to completely change your lifestyle, not to mention the culture, and acceptance in your area. Instead of feeling defeated when you come through some obstacles in your zero waste journey, why don’t we all start off with a smaller and feasible step?

Understand that, if you are able to reduce 1 plastic bag consumption in each shopping trip, you would already have made an impact. Not change is too small guys. You don't even need to get cotton mesh bags or anything as alternative, you may just do your part by fitting few items in one plastic bag to reduce the consumption.

A good first step into greener lifestyle? Going "less plastic" sounds about right and who said we must buy reusable cotton bag to start?