Plastic can feel impossible to avoid at the grocery store, from packaging on produce to single-use bags at checkout. Every trip resulted in a mound of plastic on my counter when I got home this year, and half of it couldn't be recycled at home.
So, for 2026, I am aiming to go zero waste and stop creating unnecessary trash at home with small, intentional changes. This will include having reusable bags, making container swaps, as well as smarter shopping habits.
How to Go Zero-Waste at the Grocery Store in 2026
1. Reusable Produce Bags
Picking packaging free produce is the simplest way to cut down on plastic use.
Fruits and vegetables come with their own natural packaging, natural skins that can be cleaned with baking soda, or with a dedicated produce wash, such as CleanBoss Eat Cleaner from Amazon. Because of this, there is little to no need to buy this fresh produce in plastic bags.
Most grocery stores around me offer some form of unwrapped produce option, making it a simple swap. To make putting everything in my grocery bags easier, I use reusable, machine-washable mesh produce bags from Walmart. Not only do they cut plastic, but they are a built-in neat storage solution that allows the produce inside to breathe and therefore last longer at home. It is a win-win.
If you can't source all of your produce plastic-free, don't fret. Bob Render, recycling expert at Clear Drop, shares, 'For anything that does come in soft plastic – produce bags, wraps, food packaging – I keep it separate at home and pre-recycle it. Soft plastics are one of the hardest materials for traditional recycling systems to handle, so preparing them properly makes a real difference.'
2. Silicone Food Bags
Don't forget about food storage beyond the grocery store.
Cutting plastic goes beyond the grocery store itself. It is pointless to bring all the food home in reusable containers just to make a sandwich or prepare food in advance and wrap it in plastic again to take to work or a day out.
That is where silicone food bags, such as the Stasher premium silicone food bags from Amazon, come in. They are 100% leak-proof and dishwasher safe, making it simple to store food safely without plastic.
Better yet, unlike traditional plastic storage, silicone is BPA-free, helping to create a non-toxic home that is better for your health, too.
3. Buying in Bulk and Refilling
Glass food storage is a saving grace in my kitchen.
I'll be honest and admit that when I first started decanting my food goods, it was because I wanted aesthetic kitchen storage.
However, as Ignas Grazys of Foodware points out, buying in bulk and restocking your cabinets is a great way to reduce plastic waste when shopping.
Ignas explains, 'Frequent bulk aisles for staples like rice, pasta, nuts, and use a glass jar to keep what you need to hand in your pantry. If you can’t find items in bulk, look for something easy to recycle, like paper packaging, instead of plastic.'
This seven-piece glass canister set, from Wayfair, is ideal for keeping manageable portions in your pantry to refill as needed to help organize your home after bulk-buying groceries, especially when organizing a small pantry.
'Plus, avoid pre-cut fruit, small snacks, or anything single-serve,' Ignas adds. 'It always comes in excessive packaging.'
4. Sturdy Tote Bags
Keep reusable bags by the front door to avoid falling back on single use plastic at the store.
Pam Mercer, of Greenily, suggests always having reusable shopping bags to hand. Use reusable bags that make grocery shopping easier, not fussier,' she urges. They don't need to be anything fancy, simply 'invest in a few durable, washable bags you’ll actually use.'
She highly recommends the BeeGreen Reusable tote bags, available at Amazon. The pack of six means you can leave some in your car for quick access, preventing falling back on plastic should you need a last-minute shopping trip. 'Avoid heavy cotton bags that are awkward to wash and take ages to dry,' Pam suggests, 'or any tiny bags that hold nothing and are impractical.'
5. Plan for Food Waste
The Joseph Joseph Compost Bin is the perfect countertop caddy for tackling food scraps without odor.
Going zero-waste isn't just about reducing plastic, but food waste as well. According the the USDA, over one third of all available food is uneaten through loss or waste in the US, making it just as big a problem as plastic.
Lauren Click, food waste expert at Let's Go Compost, suggests that how you shop and what you bring home is the first step in cutting this waste stream.
'Shop for food that produces compostable scraps,' she begins. 'Whole vegetables with skins and stems become the backbone of any worm bin or backyard pile. Carrot tops, coffee grounds, onion skins, apple cores, and leafy greens break down cleanly and feed the soil. Buying whole foods instead of pre-cut packages increases what can be returned to the earth and cuts packaging at the same time.
'Then, treat leftovers as a resource. Plan meals around what is already in the fridge, and when scraps remain, use them. Freeze vegetable trimmings for broth or feed them into a worm compost bin if they’ve spoiled.'
There are plenty of ways to use kitchen waste in the garden, after all. 'Eggshells, coffee grounds, and paper towels all support healthy compost with the right carbon-to-nitrogen balance.'
I will be picking up the Joseph Joseph Food Waste Compost Bin from Wayfair to help with my New Year resolution. Not only does it look sleek on the counter (and can be wall-mounted to use vertical storage to save space if needed), but it has an odor-eliminating filter to neutralize kitchen odors, too.
What to Shop
Putting food scraps in the Joseph Joseph compost bin not only helps to prevent food waste in landfill, but can help to make your kitchen smell nicer, too, by preventing a build-up of odors in your general trash can.
Using a produce wash can help to remove bacteria and pesticide residue from your food, helping to improve flavor and protect your health.
Reusable mesh bags allow your produce to breathe in storage, helping it to last longer, cutting both grocery store plastic waste and food waste.
I couldn't live without my reusable tote bags. I keep them hanging by the front door and in my car so they are ready to go, no matter where I am shopping.
Silicone food storage bags keep food fresher for longer while reducing the risk of plastic contamination in the kitchen. These are dishwasher safe for easy reuse (not all are), saving you money in the long run, too.
These glass food containers form an air tight seal helping to keep contained food fresher for longer, minimizing food waste while making bulk buying to cut down on packaging easier.
Meet the Experts
Bob Render is the president and CEO of Lakeside 360 Partners, a sustainability and recycling consulting firm that develops circular strategies and programs for companies to reduce their carbon impact. Bob was the Chair of the Plastics Industry Association Recycling Committee and is a former national board member, and currently serves on the advisory board of REMADE and the Executive Committee of HPRC (Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council).
Ignas is the Co-Founder & CEO of FoodWare, helping to create a circular economy for plastic, reducing single use plastics from ending up in landfills without compromising on convenience.
Lauren Click is a recognized leader in the composting and circular economy space, driving systemic change in organic waste reduction, infrastructure development, and public education. As the founder of Let’s Go Compost, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, she is spearheading efforts to make composting affordable, accessible, and scalable across the United States.
Feeling inspired? If you have a green thumb, why not consider some ways to go zero-waste in the garden, too?
