April 26 is Stop Food Waste Day, and what better way to celebrate it than by highlighting the amazing work of refill shops?
These independent zero waste stores are taking steps to reduce the amount of plastic packaging and food waste that often accompany traditional grocery shopping. With their focus on eco-living and sustainable living, these shops offer inventive household items and delicious food that are better for both the environment and your wallet.
So, what exactly are zero waste shops?
These usually independent stores sell unpackaged products such as groceries, personal care items, and cleaning supplies. They encourage customers to bring their own reusable containers and refill them from the store’s bulk containers, making it an ideal destination for anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
In recent years, the trend towards zero-waste shopping has grown in popularity, as more people look for ways to live more sustainably. One significant benefit of purchasing products from zero waste shops is that you can buy exactly the amount you need. This leads to less household food waste.
In addition to reducing food waste, refill shops help combat plastic pollution by reducing the amount of plastic packaging that ends up in our oceans and landfills. By eliminating packaging waste, zero waste shops have become the cornerstone of the eco-living movement, providing customers with an opportunity to minimise their reliance on single-use plastic.
What do they sell?
Each refill store is a bit different, but generally, you can expect to find goods such as:
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Cupboard staples – pasta, rice, oats, lentils, nuts, seeds, cereals
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Dried fruits – dates, dried apricots, figs, coconut chips
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Spices and herbs (and these are often much cheaper than supermarket equivalents)
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Cleaning products – laundry detergent, washing up liquid and bathroom cleaners
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Toiletries – toothpaste, bamboo toothbrushes, soap and shampoo
Why we love refill shops
There are so many benefits of refill stores. Along with reducing food waste, with no plastic packaging on all (or the majority) of products, these stores produce far less harmful waste than normal supermarkets or convenience stores.
The products themselves also contain less harmful ingredients. For example, many common cleaning supplies are full of chemicals that can pollute soil and water supplies. Whereas, at zero-waste shops, you can find products with more natural ingredients and reduced packaging.
How to use refill shops
If it’s your first time visiting a refill shop, you might feel intimidated or unsure about navigating the store. Here's a quick guide to set you for your shopping experience.
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Before leaving your house, make a list of the items you need.
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Estimate the weight you need for each product and bring the right-sized reusable containers. Your containers can be Tupperware, old cereal boxes, jars, biscuit tins, old bottles, and more - whatever you have to hand. Shop shops also offer containers to borrow or purchase, so you don't have to worry if you forget to bring your container.
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When you arrive, weigh each of your containers on the provided scales. The store will either print a label with the weight of each container, or you need to note it down yourself.
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Fill the products you want to use, either by using scoopers or funnels that most shops provide.
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Weigh the filled containers again, and optionally, print price labels for each product.
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Finally, take your filled containers to the till to pay for everything.
Whether you’re a lifelong devotee to sustainable living or you’re just starting on your eco-living journey, zero waste shops offer a fantastic way to make a positive impact on the environment. Try visiting your local refill shop and see for yourself just how easy (and affordable!) it can be to live a more environmentally conscious life.
Some of our favourites
Gather
A beautiful store, just a five-minute walk from Peckham Rye station, we always make time for this detour. The low-waste store helps people move towards lower-impact living through easy product swaps and meeting all your cupboard re-fill needs. They have everything from household cleaning supplies and toiletries to food and spices, and even a peanut butter machine – a must-try!
121 Bellenden Rd, London SE15 4QY
Mull Club
Mull Club combine refill and recycling. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday you can head in with your containers to stock up on toiletries, skincare and detergent. Its also a space where people can come in during the week, bring their plastic waste - like yoghurt pots, butter pots, bottle lids - which founder Charlie Rudkin-Wilson's transforms into beautiful household items, like combs, candle stick holders and soap dishes. She also runs workshops where people can do it themselves.
7b Harefield Road, London, SE4 1LW
Refill Therapy
Refill Therapy are very friendly and helpful, and if you’re a bit unsure about what exactly you should be doing, they will walk you through all the steps. On our last visit we even got to make our own peanut butter - no oils, no nothing added, just nuts! As well as all the things you need to restock in containers for your kitchen and home, they tend to sell other eco household and personal care bits and pieces. So even if you’ve not got an empty container to hand, go in and check them out.
6 Victory Parade, London E20 1FS and Unit 1, 61-63, Wallis Rd, London E9 5LH
Top Up Truck
A refill shop on a repurposed milk float - how cool is that?! This innovative social enterprise startup which aims to disrupt the refill market - making it easier for people to shop without plastic packaging by bringing the store to peoples’ streets on an electric vehicle. The Top Up Truck covers areas across North and East London. Head to their website to see their routes.
Tuck Shop
A consciously curated one-stop-shop and bar opened by a local husband and wife team in Hackney Wick. With a sustainably led ethos, they offer ethically sourced meat, British seasonal produce, household refills, natural wines, craft beers and Ozone coffee.
2 Casings Way, Fish Island, London E3 2TH
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