Survey: Do You Buy Bulk?

Buying in bulk &mdash what does that make you think of? Buying in bulk at Costco, or buying from bulk at your local co-op? It's funny how the this word can have drastically different connotations. Both types of bulk are ways to 'save money,' but one method relies on stock piling on goods while the other means getting only as much as you need. So, which is greener?

Most of us here at Re-Nest are in the camp that less is more &mdash I know I want as little in my house as possible (besides where's the room for the stuff in a small house?). Buying from bulk means you only buy as much as you need, while buying in bulk means you need a larger amount of money upfront but save in the long run. Additionally, sometimes buying in bulk means less packaging and less emissions because less trips are required of you and the distribution truck. But, buying from bulk bins saves on packaging in the sense that you can bring your own reusable to containers to fill up with.

In times like this we are all looking for ways to save money, but stay green. How have you responded to this &mdash buy from bulk, or buy in bulk?

(Image via The Kitchn's Conscientious Cook: Which Foods to Buy in Bulk)

Comments (8)

My "other" answer means it depends on the item. I stock up on beans and rice but for other things like snacks, I don't buy a large amount.

i love bulk bins! i hope more stors embrace the bulk bins!

I chose "from bulk" because that's my primary, but I do both. I buy cat food and litter in bulk, and rice in bulk, and I have occasionally bought 25 lbs of flour or oatmeal. I'm an expert at hiding my bulk items, even in the space under my couch!

I stock up on things I know I'll use from bulk bins: oatmeal, flour, beans, etc.

LOVE bulk bins. When you're not paying for packaging and advertising, prices are really good!

Like the other commenters here I buy both from bulk bins and in bulk as well. Just depends on the item. I tend to buy giant things of baking soda and vinegar from Costco, big sacks of rice and flour too, but I buy most of my other dry goods from the bulk bin. I love using my own containers and buying just the right amount to fill them up.

I buy from the bulk bins for things like oatmeal, grains, nuts. I get staples from Costco (including toilet paper, cheese and almond butter).

My "other" response is a combination of the first two: I buy from bulk bins at the market (Queen Victoria Market / South Melbourne Market) when I need beans, lentils, nuts, dried fruit, salt, seeds (e.g. sunflower seeds), dried coconut, rolled oats, and coffee, meaning bringing my own reuseable packaging (often the container they'll be stored in).

I also do a mini stockpile of certain things when they're on special at the supermarket. This doesn't reduce the overall packaging, since if I get two packets of chocolate for the price of one, it's still two packets, but it's a cost saving thing.

And we do buy large packages of some items (e.g. 12 pack of toilet roll rather than 3 pack; giant tins of tomatoes) when it's something that either won't go off (the toilet roll), or we will use in that quantity (giant tin of toms = one batch of chilli). Other things are dals and spices from the Indian shop - the large packets mean a little less packaging, and they're cheaper.

After bringing home moths from the bulk bins at a froofy natural grocery, and spending over a year getting rid of them, there will be no more bulk bin goods coming into this house unless it's something I can't get any other way.