Like a growing number of people, I try to limit my ecological footprint as much as possible in my daily actions. I am far from thinking that I alone have the power to bring about a big change, but I am one of those who dare to hope that each small gesture counts and that the fact of not adding to the current disaster is a bare minimum… Of course, I have caused irritation more than once by insisting that my reusable container be filled at the counter of a merchant rather than leaving with a product already packaged, but it is a very small inconvenience compared to the satisfaction of doing my bit for the environment.
It was therefore with great pleasure that I saw the appearance of “zero waste” grocery stores in several areas of my city, including one close to my home! Thus, it has become possible to obtain plenty of foodstuffs, cleaning and personal hygiene products without adding to the infamous continent of plastic that crisscrosses our oceans! There are even some of these shops that offer organic items, which have therefore been produced with respect for the environment and which are better for your health!
All of this is wonderful! Except that… if we look at the often exorbitant costs associated with this type of consumption, we quickly realize that you have to be rich to be green. As a community worker, I am far from living in opulence, but I still enjoy a certain leeway. I can therefore afford to pay a little more for flour or pasta bought in bulk (hard to understand, moreover, that a product without packaging costs more than a packaged product…).
But for families who have to make do with incomes below the poverty line, this choice is non-existent! Between spaghetti sold in bulk at an exorbitant price and those sold at a discount at the dollar store, the question of reducing your environmental footprint as much as possible does not even arise. The only consideration here is to hold out until the end of the month! If we add to that the spectacular rent increases that are taking place everywhere in Quebec and the record inflation rates, it is no longer even at the grocery store that families have to get their supplies, but at food banks. The latter are no longer able to meet the demand and have just issued a cry of alarm to the Government of Quebec to receive additional aid of eight million.
In short, we will have understood that the “zero waste” option is a luxury that a growing number of households cannot afford. However, it must be recognized that their ecological footprint is negligible compared to those who travel our roads in SUVs.
Of course, the real solution would be to eliminate the problems at the source, by forcing the big multinationals to stop producing plastic and by prohibiting the car manufacturers from manufacturing polluting and oversized vehicles. And, for that matter, we could also give all households the chance to have access to affordable, quality housing rather than offering them unsanitary 4 and a half rooms at $1,400 a month! But for this to be possible, the very foundations of capitalism would have to be shaken a little. However, it seems that the race for profit and capitalism are still well protected, even in “zero waste” grocery stores!