Below are so me tips to help you get started on minimising waste when you are shopping. These small changes make a significant difference to the conservation of Abu Dhabi's environment.

Reduce

• Choose what you buy so that you have less packaging and plastic bags to get rid of later on.
• Look for products with minimal packag ing.
• Bulk buy products with a long shelf-life. In particular, avoid individually wrapped items.
• For example, choose big boxes rather than two smaller ones, or 2L soft drink bottles rather than cans, or a large bag of potato crisps rather than individually wrapped snack-sized packets.
• Choose the concentrated or refillable form of products.
• For example, detergents, juices, cordials and cleaning products.
• Buy fresh food rather than processed.
• For example, avoid steel cans by buying fresh food that is in season.
• Use a basket, backpack, box or reusable shopping bag rather than plastic bags. Place a small note on your door to remember to take them with you or keep some in your car.
• Consolidate purchases into one bag rather than getting a new bag at each store on your shopping rounds.
• Place fruit and vegetables directly in your basket and don’t use bags.
• Refuse plastic bags from all shops, particularly for single purchases.

Reuse

• Reuse your plastic bags and choo se items that can be reused many times.
• Choose items that are durable and reusable rather than disposable ones.
• For example, choose sponges instead of paper towels, crockery instead of paper or plastic plates and cup, cloth nappies and bottom wipers rather than disposable nappies.
• Buy good quality second hand/refurbished products.
• Support shops that provide lunches, morning and afternoon teas on returnable trays.
• Keep a few used plastic shopping bags or cardboard boxes in the car for sho pping on the way home from work or an outing.
• Keep a spare plastic shopping bag (rolled up and secured with a rubber band) in your handbag or wallet for those times when you thought you would not need a bag, but did.
• Return your bags to the same place after unpacking your shopping at home.

Buying recycled

• Look for products that have recyclable or reusable packaging
• Packaging made of more than one material that can not be separated.
• For example, plastic laminate on paper, is dif fi cult to recycle and should be avoided.
• Buy products made from recycled materials.
• Support organisations and stores that have environmentally conscious products and practices.
• Recycle your plastic bags at participating supermarkets.Place fruit and vegetables directly in your basket and don’t use bags.
• Refuse plastic bags from all shops, particularly for single purchases.