Going green can be an overwhelming idea for some people. Many may not know where to start, especially at the grocery store.

Living a “greener” lifestyle and making eco-friendly choices while grocery shopping is easier than you think.

Perhaps you’ve seen environmentally friendly household cleaners. Or maybe you’ve started using reusable shopping bags. Whatever the case, these are steps in the right direction.

Another easy way to live more sustainably is to shop in the bulk-foods aisle. Bulk foods have been around since the early days of grocery stores and can now be found in natural food stores and most grocery store chains.

Buying in bulk offers many environmental benefits, such as the elimination of packaging, which reduces the use of resources in creating and transporting food products.

Here are some more little things you can do to make a big difference:

Buy natural and organic, whenever possible. Not only are the pesticides and synthetic chemicals used in non- organic foods often toxic to our health — they’re bad for the environment. Tainted runoff from conventional farms contaminates waterways and threatens wildlife. Plus, by buying organic and natural in the bulk-foods section of the grocery store, you can expect to pay 30 to 50 percent less than comparable packaged foods.

Buy just the amount you need. Whether it’s a pound or a pinch, put a stomp on food waste by buying only the specific amount you’ll use. Buying bulk foods enables you to pay attention to the amount you scoop. Overdoing it only means you’ll pay, literally, the next time you rid your cupboard of outdated food.

Bring your own bags and containers. Invest in glass, Tupperware and stainless-steel jars or re-use Mason jars and plastic containers to buy and store your bulk foods. Ask the cashier to weigh your container first. Not only are you saving waste, you are adding some flair to your pantry — it’s nice to view the different colors and textures of your bulk foods through clear storage containers.

Make it a one-stop shop. Save gas, time and the environment by picking up all your groceries in one efficient trip. Visit your favorite local store, or consider cooking recipes made almost entirely with ingredients from one section of the grocery store, such as the bulk-foods aisle, to save time.

Turn the shopping over to the kids. Make it a family affair and get your little ones excited to shop by allowing them to select natural, organic or Fair-Trade snacks themselves in the bulk-foods aisle. They’ll enjoy the freedom of choosing what to buy, and you’ll enjoy getting healthier, eco-friendly food into the grocery cart without a fight.

Source: Bulk is Green Council (www.bulkisgreen.org).