How to Be a Conscious Eater

diverted from the landfill. Checking that little number on

containers can also help you reduce contact with phthal-

ates and BPA. Generally speaking, numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5

are the safest; numbers 3, 6, and 7 are more likely to con-

tain yucky chemicals, and they can also be more difficult

to recycle.

10 If all this is really striking a chord, try for a zero-waste

household. We’ve been speaking primarily of your use of

plastics to transport, store, and serve foods or beverages to

you and your family, but of course once you’re in the prac-

tice of policing your plastic use, you may as well continue

reducing it across the board, from cotton swabs with paper

stems versus plastic stems to rethinking the disposability

of razors, toothbrushes, tampons, and beyond. Zero-waste

lifestyle bloggers have books and apps and all kinds of tips

and tricks for you to take plastic avoidance as far as you

can. And coming to a neighborhood near you . . . no-waste

grocery stores. There, you bring your own containers for

everything. Toothpaste on tap, chocolate sold packaging-

free, even crackers and berries you buy by the scoop.

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