Zero Heroes — a guide to zero waste shopping in London

Published for Kankan
14 September 2020

Buying plastic-free doesn’t have to mean forgoing choice, quality or convenience. Refill stores and zero waste stations are steadily popping up in London neighbourhoods. With them comes the opportunity to support local producers, to eat seasonal produce from nearby farms, and access to an abundance of innovative products. Natural wine, freshly churned nut butter, organic tofu and laundry liquid—it can all be found.

Here are some of the spots that stock the crème de la crème of package-less products:

EAST

TOPUP TRUCK - The Refill Store That Floats To Your Door.

Like Fair-well that we covered recently, TopUp Truck is a refill store on-the-go: they deliver household goods to your doorstep in a reconverted milk float. Who said sustainability wasn’t convenient? This unique mobile refill station now carries pantry goods, cleaning products and bathroom necessities. All products are organic, fair trade and environmentally friendly including cereals, grains and pulses, pasta, dried fruits, loose leaf tea and coffee, toiletries, cleaning products and other daily needs.

How it works: You can book them in if you live in E5, E9 or E8 or check their whereabouts on the gram. Pre-prepare your jars, containers and canisters before they arrive and the team will fill them for you.

Locations: E5, E8 and E9 currently

WEST
Liberté Chérie—for the epicures

This delicatessen focuses on the finer things to serve at the dining table. Their deli fridge is filled with bowls of anchovy fillets, French mustards, olives, saucisson and butter. They love to chat food and customers often leave with delicious antipasti and a new recipe to try. It’s not all wining and dining though—you can find laundry liquid and other household essentials there too.

Liberté Chérie, located on Portabello Rd in Notting Hill, supports local sustainable suppliers: 75% of products come from the UK, 20% from other European countries and just 5% sourced internationally.

Location: 291 Portobello Rd, London W10 5TD

SOUTH WEST

HETU—wine on tap

The team at Hetu are trying to slow consumerism by giving convenience back to customers. The store is fitted out with preloved furniture and upcycled materials—their zero waste policy extends to their design principles too. Their refill wine station has both organic and natural drops to keep your thirst quenched. But wine isn’t the only thing they have on tap; it was also London’s first vegan zero waste shop and freshly made almond milk is available each day too.

Their pantry basics will help you keep your cupboards stocked with spices, baking supplies, tea and organic produce. There are soap and shampoo bars but no liquid toiletries until they can find a supplier that fits their ethos.

Location: 201 St. Johns Hill, SW11 1TH

NORTH

Bumblebee Natural Foods—the institution

Bumblebee Natural foods has been an organic refill grocer since the 1980’s. Their three stores—The Veg Shop, The Bakery and The Nut Shop—sit side by side in North London. Herbs are sold by weight, so that half bunch of dill won’t go limp in the fridge, and their organic fruit & vegetables shelves change colour with the seasons.

Their dairy counter is filled with farmhouse cheese, yogurt, butter and ice-cream; and their nut store boasts a wide range of ferments, Japanese pantry essentials and nut butters. Pick up a crisp croissant or decadent slice of cake at the bakery and your basket will be full.

Location: Brecknock Rd. Camden N7 0BT

ALL OVER TOWN

Unpackaged (Planet Organic)—a zero waste advocate

Unpackaged has been an early advocate of the zero waste movement. It began in 2006 at a stall in the Exmouth & Broadway markets and has since expanded to tackle packaging and an unbalanced supply chain. Unpackaged is now part of a larger group of eight stores named Planet Organic which can be found across many London’s suburbs.

As well as the usual pantry goods, Planet Organic are known for their natural makeup products, perfume, skincare and toiletries. They also run workshops for those looking to open their own zero waste store.

Locations: Camden, Wandsworth, Muswell Hill, Torrington Place, Westbourne Grove, Islington, Queen's Park, Chiswick

THE GUIDE

Useless—the best place to look

Useless­ is an online platform directing Londeners to sustainable shops across the city. It initially started by a group of office workers who wanted more than supermarkets filled with plastic wrapped items. They gradually collated a list of bulk food stores, which is still growing, to make sustainability more accessible. Their website features an interactive map so you can find the closest jar refill spot in your own neighbourhood.

They love a recommendation, so let them know if your favourite disposable-less shop isn’t on their list.