They bring their own containers for their shopping: over a year, that adds up to a considerable sum
"Hello, can I give you my container?" Like many French people, Daphné is keen to reduce her waste. So, when she orders her takeaway lunch, she always brings her Tupperware® container. An eco-friendly gesture, but also an economical one.
"The shopkeeper is obligated to give you a discount!" As Olivier Dauvers confirmed on RTL, takeaway drink vendors adjust their prices if you bring your own container. This rule stems from the AGEC law (anti-waste for a circular economy), the expert explains. On average, you get a 30-cent discount on a hot drink. And when you drink them every day, the savings are significant: "Over the course of a year, I save 70 euros," he calculates. Besides takeaway coffees, bringing your own container daily can also reduce your grocery bill. Indeed, packaging represents 10 to 15% of the purchase price, M6 notes in this investigation. Depending on the product, this percentage can even be multiplied, as with these 60g of curry powder: "6.99 euros packaged and only 1.80 euros loose," the journalist points out. While it's easier to shop at organic or bulk stores, this practice can also be implemented in supermarkets. This is the case in the cheese, meat, or fish departments, for example. Indeed, any customer can request to be served in a container they have brought themselves, provided it is "visibly clean and suitable for the type of product purchased," according to Legifrance.
A simple habit that can be good for both your trash can and your wallet. Airtight lunch boxes, reusable coffee cups, or reusable shopping containers: by regularly slipping them into your bag, the habit can pay off. And over a year, those few cents saved at each checkout can add up to a nice little sum.
