- The Swiss website Envertetcontretout.ch launched in 2017 the challenge "February without supermarket", which consists of shopping without going to the supermarket for a month.
- In 2019, 20,000 people participated in this challenge in Switzerland, France and Belgium.
- Some have decided to do without supermarkets throughout the year, but others do not succeed, for lack of offers near them or by choice.
Living without a supermarket is possible. In any case, this is the idea that the Swiss website Envertetcontretout.ch wants to convey. In the wake of the alcohol-free, cigarette-free and Swedish "Köpskam" months (the shame of shopping), the platform launched its "February without supermarket" operation three years ago.
The principle: do not go to the supermarket for a month. Why do this? Is it possible ? 20 Minutes questioned readers who have tried it - or who have been practicing it for several years.
"It's simpler than I thought"
“Individually, people have practiced it for thirty years. The idea was to launch a collective movement because alone, this may seem insurmountable, ”says Leïla Rölli, the Swiss environmental journalist at the origin of this challenge. This is the reason why "February without supermarket" offers advice via its website. And relies on groups formed by consumers themselves on social networks. "We want to set foot in the stirrup for those who do not dare," continues Leïla Rölli. If such a movement was born, it means that "consumption continues to be part of society and is synonymous with well-being, but this poses the problem of its place and questions about health and the environment", adds Véronique Varlin, associate director of the Society and Consumption Observatory (ObSoCo).
The bet is successful for Marie-Pierre, who is one of more than 20,000 people registered in France in one of the groups dedicated to "February without supermarket": "I decided to take up the challenge as we would embark on an ultra -trail. But in fact, it's simpler than I thought. "
Leïla Rölli has no doubts, going without supermarkets with many virtues. “It's the best way to avoid all of the packaging and plastic that goes with industrial products. "Example with Marianne:" I have been in this zero waste approach for a year. For this, I go to bulk stores and to the market. Same decision for David: "Since I no longer go to the big brands, I only produce one trash bag of 50 liters of waste per month, for a family of three. "
Benefiting the producer and the consumer
Beneficiaries of this movement, local producers. “When they offer their products directly, everyone wins,” continues the site's creator. Them because they remove the middlemen. Customers because they have fresh products and prices often lower or equal to those practiced in large retailers. And the environment, because the product has not gone around the world to reach our plate. "Aurélien, one of our readers, now has his little habits:" I go to a farm three kilometers from my home. It offers a shop three days a week with fruit, vegetables, dairy, poultry, dried legumes and pasta. And I know what's on my plate. Charlotte also talks about the quality of food: “I have started to eat seasonal products, which were not raised in the greenhouse. I find food with more taste. "
But doesn't buying local or organic and organic without going to the supermarket cost more? Leïla Rölli concedes it, but argues that if one supplies oneself in short circuit and in bulk, one generally does not spend more: “One buys only the quantity which one needs. So on average, we buy less. "An argument that Sandra takes up on her own:" Since I have supplied myself locally, I have gone from 150 to 30 euros per week. Certainly, we do everything ourselves. Admittedly, it takes us a little longer. But we must redefine our priorities. "A philosophy explained by Véronique Varlin:" There is a demand for slowdown and reconnection to nature. A desire to improve his quality of life and to move from the consumption of accumulation, the "having", to personal achievement, the "being". "
Do it yourself ... A habit taken by many of our readers not to go on the shelves. “I make most of my cosmetics and cleaning products. Detergent, cleanser, toilet tablet, but also deodorant, face cream, soap… ”, comments Hélène. Like her, Sandrine makes her soap and detergent from bicarbonate and soda crystals. “It only takes me fifteen minutes a month and I save 96 euros a year. "
Geographic disparities
Problem: can we do without a supermarket for everything? "For certain products such as toilet paper, soda or depilatory wax strips, I have no choice but to go to the supermarket," says Pauline. For André, the situation is so complicated that he gave up: “To do my shopping in supermarkets, I need two hours a week, and that's it. If I go around small shops, the week would not be enough for me. ” Véronique abounds: “It's easy for those who live in big cities, who have shops of all types, markets, producers' sales outlets. But when you're in the middle of nowhere, you only have the supermarket. ” "It is true that the possibilities are very disparate depending on the region," admits Leïla Rölli.
There is also the question of choice. Athena had convinced herself to buy her meat from the only local producer. But "he always offered the same songs. And only by the kilo, she explains. Once or twice from Burgundy, it's okay. But twelve times in winter, it wears out! Others, finally, simply love their supermarket. "If I want something, I want it right away," says Nadège. I like having big, full shelves. I like to have promotions. I just like to consume. ”
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- Economy
- Leclerc
- Consumption
- Organic
- crossroads
- circular economy
- Supermarket