Save some green by going green with your grocery shopping

"Going green" is a topic discussed from the local level to national politics. There are many things we can do daily to promote a "greener," more environmentally friendly household. Following are some steps consumers can take with the routine task of grocery shopping. Besides helping the environment, you will also save some money, adding a little extra green to the wallet!

Size matters. When choosing between a large container and several small containers that add up to the same volume, consider whether buying the larger container would serve the same purpose and save money? For example, do you really need to buy individual boxes (and more packaging) of juice if they all are consumed at your kitchen table within the next week?

Reuse the grocery bag. Shopping bags can be recycled as liners for small wastebaskets. Put a few bags in the bottom of the waste basket before lining it, so there's another one ready to use after one is filled.

Have a plan. Plan ahead and shop less often for groceries or shop in conjunction with other errands taking you near a grocery store. The result is a reduction in the use and cost of fuel needed to transport food.

Produce less waste and save money by practicing the three Rs of reduce, reuse and recycle in relation to leftover food from meals. Not only does tossing leftovers waste money, it also wastes the energy resources and packaging materials associated with the tossed food.

Reduce the amount of leftover food tossed by preparing smaller portions of foods that frequently produce leftovers. Reuse leftovers by serving them again in a day or two or freezing them for future use. Turning leftovers into planned overs means you'll only have to cook once for two or more meals. Or recycle leftovers into a different type of meal. For example, add that small amount of leftover rice to a soup the next night. Leftover meat can be the base for the next day's casserole.

Don't be a "spoil"-sport. Reduce the amount of spoiled food that gets tossed by reading labels for "use by," "expiration," or "best if used by" dates. Rotate food items by placing those just purchased behind the same product already on the kitchen shelf.

Refrigerate and freeze foods at recommended temperatures -- 0 degrees F or lower for freezers and 40 degrees F or lower for the refrigerator section. An appliance thermometer assures that food is maintained at these temperatures.

Follow recommended storage times for foods. For example, some containers may specify a recommended time frame in which to eat a food after it is opened. Avoid buying so much food in bulk that it spoils before you can finish it.

Buy a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water. Your investment soon will pay for itself. Be sure to wash the bottle frequently.

Bulk it up. Some products purchased at the grocery store, such as hand soap, can be purchased in big bottles that are used to refill a smaller bottle size. Reduce the cost and the packaging by refilling the smaller bottle.

For more things you can do to live a greener lifestyle and reduce energy expenditures, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website and calculate your "carbon footprint" at www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html.

(Information from Food Reflections by Alice Henneman, University of Nebraska Extension, Lancaster County.)