Zero-waste grocery stores expand as plastic-free shopping gains traction

Zero-waste grocery stores are growing rapidly as consumers seek to reduce their reliance on plastic packaging.

Christina Cooke reports for Civil Eats.

In short:

• Zero-waste grocery stores, like L.A.’s re_grocery, offer refillable bulk goods and encourage customers to bring their own containers.
• The movement is spreading beyond major cities, with stores opening in small towns and rural areas across the U.S.
• Stores like Maison Jar in Brooklyn are fostering community engagement and environmental awareness through workshops and events.

Key quote:

“The trend in Europe, it was really kind of a grassroots-type of growth and then regulation and supply chain followed. I think it could happen here.”

— Larasati Vitoux, owner of the zero-waste grocery store Maison Jar

Why this matters:

Plastic packaging contributes significantly to pollution, with most being used only once. By cutting down on plastic packaging, zero-waste stores help to mitigate the detrimental effects of plastic on marine life and ecosystems, which is a growing concern for environmentalists and scientists alike.