UnEarth Magazine.

Words by Ellie Thorson, Art by Cori Birkin.

It’s that time of the day again一 “What shall I have for dinner today?” you ask. After a begrudging day at the library, you make your way to Tesco, heading straight to the produce section. Except within the green crates is not just peppers and courgettes and broccoli– nearly every item is wrapped in some form of plastic.  

As of 2024, around 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year. Of that number, only 9% of annual plastic waste is recycled globally, much of that waste ending up in our oceans. With global consumption increasing, plastic production rates are expected to triple globally by 2060. Furthermore, more than 99% percent of plastics are made from chemicals derived from fossil fuels, further driving the climate crisis.   

As a part of its 4R’s (Remove, Reduce, Re-use, Recycle) packaging strategy, Tesco has identified a million pieces of unnecessary plastic since joining the pact in 2019. While these initiatives appear impressive on paper, it can be challenging to visualize these changes when it seems nearly every product is still packaged in plastic to some degree. Additionally much of the food being sold has had to travel thousands of miles by plane, train, and automobile to reach our stores, creating a large environmental impact.  

Beyond its environmental impact, Tesco’s annual revenue added up to more than 60 billion pounds in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland during its 2022-2023 financial year alone. With this being said, supporting small businesses can often be more sustainable compared to larger corporations like Tesco; small businesses often tend to prioritize local suppliers, quality, and ethical practices over bigger named brands.  

So, what alternatives exist in St Andrews?  

First, is The Tree- a St Andrews student-run food cooperative that offers students the opportunity to purchase locally-sourced, organic, and fair-trade products at an affordable price. For instance, The Tree partners with Pittormie Farm, Bellfield Farm, and Wild Hearth Bakery, all located in Fife to bring local produce and baked goods to the hands of the St Andrews community. Often arriving with a light coating of dirt still on your carrots or potatoes, quality and freshness of the produce is always guaranteed. Personally, I love to order a VegBag, sourced from Bellfield Farm, containing staple onions, carrots, and potatoes along with any other vegetable that may be in season. Orders can be placed from Wednesday morning until Saturday at midnight through searching “The Tree” on the website Open Food Network or using this link. The next Tuesday from 17:00-18:00, orders can be picked up from outside the Union. Back to an earlier point, The Tree sources produce that has been grown all within Fife! With a significantly smaller carbon footrpint compared to Tesco’s offerings, freshness is always guaranteed. Personally, I love having the opportunity to support local farmers too! 

Missed placing your order with The Tree? Head over to Naturity over on South Street for organic produce and other ethically produced goods. Naturity also has a fantastic refill station of dried goods and cleaning products. Their self-dispensing chocolate covered hazelnut balls are not to be missed! While a bit pricier at times, Naturity never skimps on quality. Plus,  support a small business in St. Andrews!  

The Eco Hub, located on Kinnessburn Road, just off of Bridge Street, also offers a refill station with dry foods, cleaning products, hygenic products, and wrapping paper. Some of their options may also be more affordable than Naturity. It’s great spot to hit before making your way to dumpster dive.  

Finally, if you find yourself with some free time and seeking an adventure, dumpster diving at M&S is also a great option. Although, be sure to check the expiration date (and maybe even smell) your newfound treasures so not to end up with food poisoning. Make your way over and score on countless items for free that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill.  

While it may seem there is little autonomy for more sustainable changes in our world and communities, especially within our food systems, options can be found if one remembers to look outside of the box!