Sustainable shopping – it's that easy!
Shopping sustainably is easier than you think. With small changes, you can reduce food waste, save money, and consume more consciously. Here you'll find the most important steps – briefly explained and then in detail.
1. Plan your shopping – less is often more
Conscious shopping starts at home. Good planning helps avoid duplicate purchases and allows for more targeted shopping. According to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, this can reduce waste by up to 30% .
A well-structured shopping list is your best companion. Sort it by category to keep track of everything, and stick to your choices. This way, you'll be less likely to make impulse purchases.
- Check your supplies: What do you already have, what do you really need?
- Digital help: Apps like Bring! or “Too good for the bin!” make planning easier.
- Extra tip: Place products with a short expiration date at the front – this helps with using them up.
2. Choose rescued products from SIRPLUS
SIRPLUS rescues surplus or near-expiration products – often at up to 90% off. This allows you to consume more sustainably and save real money.
Many of these products would otherwise have ended up in the trash, even though they are perfectly fine. Whether pasta, snacks, or personal care products – you get tested quality and simultaneously support the fight against food waste.
Check out ourSIRPLUS Box now.
3. Buy regionally and seasonally
Buying seasonally and regionally saves CO₂, supports local businesses, and provides fresher products. Strawberries in summer, pumpkins in autumn – it tastes better and is often cheaper.
Use seasonal calendars or apps to keep track. They show you when which products are in season in Germany.
4. Understanding Shelf Life & Packaging
Many people throw away food too soon because they misunderstand the "best before" date. It's not an expiration date , but a guarantee of quality.
- Best before date: Usually still edible after the expiry date – a sensory check helps (see, smell, taste).
- Use-by date (UBD): Safety limit for fresh products – do not eat after this date.
Packaging protects food. Glass, paper, and deposit systems are usually more sustainable. Look for the "Green Dot" symbol and buy products with as little outer packaging as possible.
5. Store correctly & shop strategically
In Germany, each person throws away an average of 78 kg of food per year. You can easily reduce this by storing it properly:
- Refrigerator: Meat and fish on the bottom, dairy products in the middle, leftovers on top.
- Dry storage: Dark, cool and airtight – ideal for rice, flour and pasta.
- Freezer: At -18 °C, many products will keep for months.
6. Pay attention to certifications
Labels help you identify sustainable and fair products. Look out for:
- Organic label (EU & DE): Organic farming without genetic engineering.
- Fairtrade: Fair prices & working conditions.
- MSC/ASC: Sustainable fishing.
- FSC: Sustainable forestry for paper & wood.
7. Share, donate & reuse
Sustainability doesn't end at the checkout. Share surplus food or donate it to food banks and food-sharing initiatives. You can also reuse jars, boxes, or cans – as storage containers, plant pots, or craft materials.
SIRPLUS – More than just saving food
With every order from SIRPLUS, you not only support food rescue, but also social projects like school meals for children in need. Sustainability is a core principle in every box – fair, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible.
Conclusion: Every step counts
Shopping sustainably isn't a trend, it's a conscious decision. Every small change – whether you make lists, buy rescued products, or use up leftovers – makes a difference. SIRPLUS makes it easy to get started.
👉 Try theSIRPLUS Box now and save food worth up to €90 – easily from home.
