As the New Year approaches, many of us are reflecting on our habits and setting resolutions for positive change. One impactful and easily adoptable resolution is embracing sustainable grocery shopping.
The average person spends £28.23 on household food and (non-alcoholic) drink supplies per week, totalling £1,467.96 annually. If more of this spending was put towards sustainable products, the environmental impact would be staggering.
To encourage more people to choose sustainable shopping as their New Year’s resolution, data experts at sustainable drinks brand, DASH Water, have calculated the carbon footprint of common diets and groceries.
The data revealed that meat eaters generate significantly more secondary carbon emissions per year through household food and drink shopping. Choosing a more sustainable diet, such as pescatarian or vegan, could halve these yearly secondary carbon emissions.
Diet | kg of CO2e (per year, per person) |
Vegan | 520 |
Veggie | 690 |
Pescatarian | 710 |
Meat eaters | 1,060 |
Secondary carbon emissions, caused by the manufacturing and delivery of supermarket products, are a significant contributor to environmental degradation. Taking the first step toward sustainable grocery shopping involves cutting back on meat, given its higher secondary carbon emissions.
DASH further investigated various products found on supermarket shelves, calculating the kilograms of CO2e per 100g. The five food products with the highest secondary carbon emissions are as follows:
Food | kg CO2e per 100g |
Beef | 15.5 |
Lamb | 5.84 |
Prawns | 4.07 |
Cheese | 2.79 |
Pork | 2.40 |
In contrast, fruits and vegetables present much more sustainable choices. For instance, beef causes 500 times the secondary carbon emissions of apples. The five most sustainable food products per 100g are:
Food | kg CO2e per 100g |
Apple | 0.03 |
Orange | 0.04 |
Root vegetables (i.e. carrots) | 0.04 |
Potato | 0.04 |
Tofu | 0.08 |
Making the shift to a more sustainable diet not only benefits the environment but also supports a healthier and ethically conscious lifestyle. Jack Scott, co-founder and CMO at DASH Water, provides advice on how to shop sustainably:
“Sustainable grocery shopping doesn’t have to be difficult and can involve a few small changes to your usual routine. Try to prioritise local and seasonal produce, use reusable bags, opt for plant-based proteins, choose products with eco-certifications, minimise packaging and research sustainable brands. These simple changes not only reduce your carbon footprint but also contribute to a healthier planet.”
By adopting sustainable grocery shopping practices, individuals can contribute to a greener and more eco-friendly future.
