Bin Inn: dark horse of law carbon grocery shopping

On a recent trip out of Auckland I was susprised to find that Bin Inn still exists. I'm not sure why, but I've always had a thing for bulk bins. Maybe it's the ability to control the exact amount of product I buy that delights my perfectionist tendencies. Or maybe it's just the ability to see the product in its naked form, free from any packaging. Anyway, I had to investigate. The place is still a treasure trove. From hokey pokey muffin mix to exotic varieties of rice, my domestic goddess fantasies kicked into overdrive. And that was just the Thames branch. The also stock Ecostore products like dishwashing liquid and washing powder in bulk.

Bin Inn has yet to take full advantage of the potential eco-cred that comes with the ability to bring in your own reusable containers when you shop. According to their website, their philosophy is about paying for product, not packaging. The ability to control the quantities you buy means you are likely to waste less too. Goodbye excessive packaging, hello reusable containers and anal-retentive quantity control.

So why hasn't Bin Inn jumped on the eco-band wagon? Well, actually they have. They just haven't done a good job of letting us consumers know about it. Their website has a page about their environmental initiatives and why it is sustainable to shop there. Apparently they sponsored a couple's challenge to live a "waste free year". I reckon if Bin Inn undertook a publicity campaign based on their sustainable shopping philosophy, they could reinstate themselves into the public consciousness and dramatically increase their customer base. If only there was a store in Central Auckland...

Takeaway cup ridicule

Image by Unvrs

The other day I bought myself a shiny new thermo-mug. After a year and a half of "disposable" takeaway coffee cup guilt, I couldn't stand it anymore. I went to my regular cafe and proudly presented my new acquisition to the barista when I made my order. She cracked up laughing. I'm not sure if it was the bucket-like size of the mug, the fact it still had the Warehouse price tag attached, or that no one else who frequents my local cafe would consider bringing their own takeaway mug. I'm on politely friendly terms with the barista, so wasn't at all offended by her reaction. But it did illustrate how ingrained some practices are in our society, even when we know the benefits of another option. Why should it be the norm that every takeaway coffee comes packaged in a non-recyclable cardboard-plastic imitation of a mug? Why isn't there more support for people bringing their own mugs along to cafes to get their takeaway coffee in?

Increased awareness of unfair practices in the international coffee industry led to increased demand for Fairtrade coffee. In response to pressure from consumers, a number of cafes now offer Fairtrade coffee. Couldn't increased awareness of environmental issues lead consumers to demand better environmental practices from our coffee outlets? I think a discount for people who bring their own mugs along would be a great step towards making reusable mugs the new norm.

I dare you to take your own mug to your local cafe tomorrow and ask for a discount. Let me know how it went for you.

The joy of buying second hand

One of the pillars of sustainable living is minimising your consumption. But sometimes you actually need new stuff. I was very recently in that situation, as my much-loved boots were finally so worn out that I had been living in fear that they might fall apart on me, when I was wearing them, right when I reached the farthest point from home. New stuff clearly necessary... check. Next, how to get it with minimum environmental impact.

One option is to buy the most ethical, environmentally friendly new stuff you can find. Websites like Greenlist can point you in the right direction.

Another is to buy, beg or trade second hand items. I decided to give this option a go. I have been cultivating an obsession with TradeMe lately anyway, for its amazing selection of bargain-priced pre-read books: the perfect solution when you don't want to buy new, but can't get hold of that novel you're dying to read at the local public library. I was blown away by the selection of fashionable boots in "as new" condition. Apparently there are a lot of women out there who just can't master buying boots that actually fit them, so they have to flog their new foot candy off on TradeMe at a considerable discount from what they paid for them. Okay, okay, this isn't all that far removed from me going to the store and buying new boots myself, but I can see a clear environmental benefit. If I buy someone's boots that don't fit them, a pair of boots that might otherwise have mouldered away at the back of that person's wardrobe until they were eventually thrown out get a new lease of life. If I had gone out and bought a brand new pair, that would have been a whole new set of resources expended. Meanwhile, a perfectly good pair of boots were already waiting for a well-matched pair of feet to fill them. Of course, there are plenty of genuinely used boots and other goodies available on TradeMe and other auction sites too if you want to reduce the impact of your purchasing even more.