10 Zero Plastic Shops You Have To Try In London

By Maire Rose Connor Last edited 50 months ago
10 Zero Plastic Shops You Have To Try In London
Image: The Source Bulk Foods Battersea Facebook page

Trying to do your bit for the environment? London has growing number of low-to-no waste shops that can help you reduce your carbon footprint.

Not only do these packaging-free, bring-your own container enterprises provide a more sustainable way to replenish your kitchen cupboards, they're also far more pleasant to shop in than your average supermarket —all Kilner jars, wicker baskets, and sweet shop-esque pick 'n' mix containers. Here's a few of our favourites.  

Bulk Market

Image: Bulk Market

Bring your own reusable containers to Bulk Market and they'll help you fill 'em up with all sorts of goodies. The market's stock ranges from fresh produce and store cupboard staples, to sustainable cleaning products and organic pet food. There's even a DIY beauty bar where you can purchase natural ingredients to make your own kind-to-the-planet cosmetics.

Arch 6 Bohemia Place, Hackney, E8 1DU. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-7pm and Sundays 11am-5pm.

Gather

Image: Gather

Not only does Gather sell a wide range of packaging-free produce and eco-friendly kitchen supplies (reusable food wraps, anyone?), the social enterprise is committed to practicing what it preaches: it uses 100% renewable energy, banks ethically, and aims to be carbon neutral within two years.

121 Bellenden Road, Peckham, SE15 4QY. Open Wednesday to Friday 10am-7pm, Saturdays 10am-5pm, and Sundays 10am-4pm.

Get Loose Foods

Image: Hackney City Farm

The best thing about Get Loose Foods? It's in Hackney City Farm, so you can say hello to the donkeys, goats, and guinea pigs when you go to stock up on organic, plastic packaging-free food. Head to this whimsical, rainbow-hued social enterprise to pick up dairy and vegan cheeses, tinned goodies, and even confectionary.

Hackney City Farm, Haggerston Park, E2 8QA. Open Wednesday-Sunday (hours vary).

Harmless Store

Image: Harmless

This north London all-vegan shop uses minimal packaging — with exceptions being made for truly special plant-based options, like vegan bacon. Otherwise, Harmless Store is a bring your own containers affair.

79 Tottenham Lane, Hornsey, N8 9BE. Open Tuesday to Thursday 11am-7pm, Fridays 11am-6pm, and Saturday 11am-5pm.

Hetu

Image: Hetu

Hetu (which means purpose in Hindi) helps its customers live a low-impact lifestyle by offering whole foods in bulk and packaging-free toiletries. This highly-photogenic Clapham store is also 100% vegan, so you can feel extra virtuous when you do your shopping here.

201 St. Johns Hill, Clapham, SW11 1TH. Open Tuesday to Thursday, 11am-7pm and Friday to Sunday, 11am-5pm.

Nought

Image: Nought

Run by the SU of King's College, University of London, Nought Zero Waste Shop stocks affordable, plastic-free essentials. It's open to students and Joe Public alike, and all of the shop's proceeds is reinvested into its sustainability efforts.

Guy's Campus, Collingwood Street, Southwark, SE1 9RT. Open Tuesday to Thursday 11.30am-7pm, Friday to Saturday 11.30am-5pm, and Sundays 11.30am-4pm.

Patoka

Image: Patoka

Patoka sells store cupboard essentials, eco-friendly cosmetics (including shampoo and conditioner) and cleaning products, and other items specifically designed to cut down your reliance on plastic — think reusable water bottles, dish brushes, and tote bags.

Wembley Park Market, 27-29 Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0FR. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-7pm and Sundays 11am-5pm.

Shop WithOut Packaging

Image: Shop WithOut Packaging

This one is does-what-it-says-on-the-tin (not that you'll find many of those here). Bring your own container, select packaging-free supplies, then simply weigh and pay for your goodies.

7 Burnt Ash Road, Lee Green, SE12 8RG. Open Monday to Friday 8.30am-6pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 10am-4pm.

The Source Bulk Foods

Image: The Source Bulk Foods Chiswick

The Source is a veritable treasure trove of spices, cereals, and loose leaf tea. You can also indulge your sweet tooth with the help of its extensive range of confectionary, which includes chocolate coated strawberries, tiramisu peanuts, and organic gummy worms.

24 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, W4 1QP and 99 St John's Road, Battersea, SW11 1QY. Both stores are open seven days a week — times vary.

The Store Cupboard

Image: Crystal Palace Food Market

Every Saturday at Crystal Palace Food Market, you'll find The Store Cupboard, a compact stall flogging nuts, grains, seeds, pulses, flour, herbs, spices, tea, dried fruit, oil, vinegar, seaweed, herbal remedies, superfoods & more to anyone with a container in hand.

Crystal Palace Food Market, Haynes Lane, Crystal Palace, SE19 3AP. Every Saturday 10am-3pm.

Last Updated 31 January 2020