One Small Thing At A Time

Right now is a tough time for plastic free and zero waste living. It has been hard on me mentally, thinking about all the plastic and waste that is being created due to COVID-19. So let's get back to basics. Let's focus on small things that we can do to reduce waste.

In fact, let's go even further and focus on one small thing that we can do. Whenever something feels daunting, I focus on one small part of that large monster before me. Because that is how progress happens. 

One small thing we can do right now is....spinach. 

Spinach is a delicious vegetable that is good in almost everything. However, it is often sold in a plastic container, or brought home in a plastic bag. If you don't eat spinach, this also applies to kale, or carrots, or lettuce. Here is how I buy spinach without using any plastic:

Instead of grabbing the plastic box of spinach, grab one or two unwrapped bundles of spinach. Then, instead of putting those bundles in a plastic bag, simply put them into your cart, naked. Take the bundles home with the rest of your groceries. 

Unbundle the spinach, and tear off the stems by hand, putting the spinach leaves into a bowl. I use a salad spinner for this whole process. It is one of my favorite kitchen tools, and I have had it for many years. You can use a bowl and a towel if you don't have a salad spinner. I highly recommend it. This is the longest step, but really it only takes 5 minutes to tear off the stems. Recycle the metal tie that held the spinach together. If you want a bonus for the environment, compost the stems.

Wash the spinach leaves in cool water in the salad spinner or bowl. Spin the leaves and dump out excess water, or pat leaves dry with a towel. 

Store the spinach in the fridge. This is why I love the salad spinner, because I keep the spinach in the spinner inside the fridge (see first picture). I use an OXO brand salad spinner. They last a long time, and stay moist. A tupperware container or Stasher bag will also work for storing the spinach in the fridge.

And that's it. One small change and 10 minutes of extra work, and there is one less piece of plastic in your trash. Imagine if you did that for all your vegetables!