Did you know that, on average, Americans throw away almost a pound of plastic every day? In the U.S., an estimated 30–40% of the food supply goes to waste. These numbers highlight how small, everyday habits can have a significant environmental impact. Reducing food waste doesn’t just benefit the planet, it can also save you money. The average family of four spends nearly $3,000 per year on food that never gets eaten. That’s up to $56 per week wasted. Food scraps alone make up 20–30% of what we throw away.
This year, show some love to our planet by adopting these simple, sustainable habits. You don’t have to go completely waste-free to make a difference! Small changes truly add up.
Shopping the refill station allows you to buy exactly what you need, reducing both food waste and single-use packaging while saving money.
This April, enjoy rotating 10% discounts on bulk items at the Co-op throughout the month:
We’re also offering select refill items in compostable packaging for added convenience. Our refill nuts are, on average, 20% cheaper than packaged options, making it easy and affordable to try something new.
Looking to stock up? We carry bulk staples like 25 lb bags of organic rice, beans, and oats, as well as 1 lb bags of organic teas and spices.
For tips on how to shop our refill section, check out this video: Refill Station: Tips & Tricks
Single-use items like plastic bags, water bottles, paper towels, and utensils are often not recyclable and contribute to long-term environmental damage.
When possible, try carrying or switching to reusable alternatives like water bottles, tote bags, and containers, or opt for compostable single-use products when needed. Even going plastic-free one day a week can prevent up to 39 pounds of plastic from entering landfills each year!
Before throwing items away, consider donating or repurposing them. Clothing, appliances, and household goods can often find a second life through local organizations or thrift stores. Shopping secondhand or swapping clothes with friends not only reduces waste but also supports your local community.
Explore local donation options here:
Shopping locally not only supports small businesses, it also reduces environmental impact. Local businesses typically require less transportation, resulting in fewer emissions—up to 26% fewer automobile miles.
Food production accounts for 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Buying locally helps cut down on emissions from processing, packaging, and transportation, while also supporting more sustainable agricultural practices.
Did you know that recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 trees, 7000 gallons of water, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil, enough energy to power a house for 6 months? Small actions like recycling and composting can have a major environmental impact when done correctly.
Many people mix up what can be recycled, composted, or sent to the landfill. Knowing what goes where is essential, because contamination can prevent entire batches from being processed. In fact, incorrectly recycling just one item can cause an entire bag to be sent to the landfill!
When in doubt, check the bottom or label of your items to determine the correct bin. This month, we’re also pre-packing our refill nuts in compostable containers, making it easy for you to reduce waste. Taking a moment to check labels can make a big difference, as some items that seem recyclable may actually be compostable, while others that might be tossed in the landfill could have a second life through recycling or composting.
For a detailed guide to recycling and composting in Davis, visit: City of Davis – Which Bin Does It Go In?
Reducing waste doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By making small changes in your daily habits, you can make a meaningful impact on the environment, and you can save a few dollars! Happy Earth Month! You can support these other sustainability efforts right here at the Co-op:
This month’s Round Up recipient is Tree Davis, an organization dedicated to expanding and maintaining the urban forest. Through education, tree planting, and community engagement, Tree Davis helps create greener, healthier neighborhoods. Round up your purchases this April to support their work!
Check out our Earth Month plastic free items in the Refill Section and our display by the fresh bread and Customer Service Desk for swaps you can make such as reusable and compostable food-safe bags, containers, reusable water bottles, plastic-free self care products and more!
