The best plastic-free and zero waste shops in London
If you’re trying to live more sustainably, London is a great place to be. With incredible public transport and car-sharing on your doorstep, getting around sustainably is the norm. But what about when it comes to shopping? Making sustainable swaps can be difficult, but these eco-friendly shops are making it easy. From plastic-free groceries to bulk buying and bring-your-own containers, these are the best zero-waste shops in London.
North London
Everything you need to cut down on plastic waste in Islington, Camden and Haringey.
FAIR-WELL
This North-London store delivers zero-waste shopping direct to your door. Order refills of anything from pasta and rice to cleaning and beauty products, and their custom-made refill van will park up so you can refill your own containers! Visit the FAIR-WELL website to find out if you’re in the catchment area and book a slot.
Zero Market
A dedicated zero-waste market in Haringey, where traders are only allowed to use packaging that is 100% compostable, reusable or recyclable. Single-use plastic is forbidden at Zero Market, but customers are encouraged to reuse their own plastic containers for fresh produce, street food, refills and ethical products.
Harmless Store
Harmless Store prefers to use the term ‘minimal packaging’ rather than zero-waste. Their extensive shelves of refillable vegan goods includes nuts, seeds, pulses, grains, oils, cleaning products and more are sure to help you reduce plastic in your weekly shop.
Re:Store
Planet-friendly shopping has never been easier. Re:Store is on a mission to start a refillable revolution, not only in store but with the Topup Truck – a mobile zero-waste store stocked with grains, pasta, lentils, nuts, household cleaning and more – and without a plastic bag or wrapper in sight.
West London
From Kensington to Richmond, these plastic-free shops have got you (un)covered!
The Source Bulk Foods
With over 450 bulk foods and household products – all of them plastic free - you’ll need to hire a car for your visit to The Source Bulk Foods! Their website shows how much plastic their customers have saved from production and landfill by buying in bulk, a great incentive for anyone looking to reduce their plastic consumption.
Liberte Cherie
If you have a taste for the finer things in life, Liberte Cherie is the zero-waste grocery store for you. Specialising in fine food (all of it free from plastic packaging and sold by weight), it’s the place to go for delicious sweet treats, herbs and spices, quality cuts of meat, fish and seafood, and even fresh flowers.
By Gram
As the name suggests, all items at By Gram are sold by weight, meaning you can get as much or as little of their zero waste, organic, vegan friendly and plastic-free products as you need. From alternative milks to shampoo bars and tahini to coffee beans, simply scoop or pour into your own containers, weigh and pay.
The Refill Larder
The range of bathroom, household and lifestyle products at The Refill Larder will help you go plastic free in other areas of the home, not just the kitchen. But they’ve got you covered there as well, with dry goods stacked to the rafters, including their own range of delicious pre-mixed granolas.
South London
Going plastic-free is easy with these zero-waste shops on your doorstep in South London.
Common
More than just a zero-waste shop, Common doubles as a café and hub for sustainability and design in Clapham. Serving seasonal breakfast, brunch, lunch and smoothies in the café amongst a stunning range of homewares available to buy, from candles and vases to crockery and soft furnishings.
Sustenance Groceries
Sustenance Groceries wants to make living and eating ethically easy for everyone. They do the research into the most eco and environmentally friendly products available, so all you need to do is bring your reusable shopping bag! Find the dates for the next pop-up shops in Brixton and West Norwood on their website.
Bring Your Own
Bring Your Own was launched to help shoppers buy smarter and with a conscience. By buying only what they need and using their own containers, shoppers can reduce plastic use, food waste and save money all in one. The ever-evolving product range includes dried goods, oils, vinegars, conserves and beauty products.
Jarr
You won’t find any unnecessary food packaging at Jarr. What you will find is pasta, grains, cereals, nuts, snacks, condiments, tea, coffee, toiletries and cleaning products, all zero-waste and sold by weight.
East London
Sustainability is at the forefront at these East London stores.
Get Loose
Hackney City Farm is giving a new meaning to the term “farmers’ market” with their store Get Loose. They’re getting involved in the plastic-free movement with a wide range of locally sourced fresh, dry, preserved and fermented foods available. The aims of Get Loose are simple, to bring people fairly priced, high quality, tasty, ethical, plastic free food, made by small producers, where possible. Get Loose uses its profits to fund community based projects such as the Ethical Information Screen and is working to bring more reuse into its supply chain.
Why not stock up for dinner and visit the cute farm animals before, or after, your shop?
Bulk
Perhaps the best-known zero-waste shop in London, Bulk has almost everything you’d find at a regular supermarket – the only thing missing is the plastic packaging! From baked goods and snacks to frozen food, dairy, eggs and spices, Bulk has built a well-deserved reputation in the sustainability scene.
Greener Habits
Greener Habits specialises in plastic free, vegan and sustainable home essentials, including beauty, cleaning, homewares, cards and gifts. It’s the perfect place to pick up your bamboo toothbrushes, shampoo bars and scented candles.
Fin and Earth
From the kitchen to the bathroom, Fin and Earth has everything you need to make sustainable swaps and reduce plastic waste at home. Plus, there’s a café in-store, so you can get your caffeine fix while you browse.
Can’t find a zero-waste shop near you?
Try this handy map which shows sustainable shops in every London borough.
