The Unpackaged Grocery Store in London

Sure I buy in bulk, but that accounts for maybe 3% of my groceries. But BYOC ("Bring Your Own Container") is the theme at Unpackaged, a London grocer offering many of their goods without packaging, or at least in refillable containers. Items range from the usual bulk and whole foods, but also include items not normally found in bulk, like herbs, oils, vinegars, soaps, toiletries, and even wine.

Started in 2006, Unpackaged is a beautifully designed storefront for organic whole foods (vegetables and fruits), dried fruits, nuts and seeds, herbs and seeds, oils, vinegars, wines, cheeses, daily fresh bread and other low waste groceries. The concept is simple: reduce packaging waste by eliminating the packaging. They encourage customers to bring their own containers, for everything, and if you leave them at home, reusable bags are available without the discount.

Their recommendations on containers: "Bring anything you like, there’s nothing to date that we haven’t been able to refill (even our lovely friend who likes putting lentils in old water bottles!) Bring glass jars, tupperware, old takeaway cartons, brown paper bags, plastic bags, old packaging.. if it’s heavy, we’ll weigh it first, if it’s light then just refill and we’ll weigh at the end."

A few other facts about the store: "Most of our products are certified organic. If we sell a product that isn’t certified organic it’s because it comes from a local producer or supplier and we have verified the sustainability of their production – it’s just that we can’t call it organic unless it’s certified and some of our producers choose not to certify."

We always source fair trade products where possible.

We do not sell any products that are air freighted.

We give preference to suppliers who are local, cooperatives or social enterprises.

We apply the principles of the waste hierarchy to all aspects of the business: reduce, reuse and recycle.

We plan efficiently to minimise any transportation by ourselves and our suppliers.

We are actively involved in environmental campaigns.

Comments (8)

Hmm, except for the wine all the local natural foods co-operatives and Whole Foods in my area offer all of this (yes, including toiletries, cleaning products, oils, vinegars, vanilla extract, tamari, honey, maple syrup, etc).

Is this not the case in most other cities? Or is there some other main point of difference that I am missing in this post? I'm very interested to know.

I have always enjoyed doing this at Rainbow Grocery Co-Op in San Francisco, but this store takes it to a more stylish level! I always weigh my container beforehand (tare), even for the "light" ones because, depending on the price per ounce of the item, it can make a big difference. Now, if we could just get people to only bring their own bags...

Do they take into acount tare on your empty container at places like this, or do you just have to pay for the weight of your own container every time they weigh?

My coop only has bulk foods and herbs - no liquids, and definitely no toiletries.

They state on their Web page that:
"if it’s heavy [your container], we’ll weigh it first, if it’s light then just refill and we’ll weigh at the end."

Hey, that's right around the corner from me! Thanks.

And packaging is a huge problem in UK grocery stores, far more so than in the US. It's close to impossible to buy unpackaged produce in London stores, for example. So this store is quite a novelty.

@Slow Lorus...sure most grocery stores offer bulk items now, but I think the point here is to encourage customers to bring their own containers. It's taking it one step beyond bringing your own grocery bags. Refilling our own "tupperware" containers at the market is brilliant. I'd like to see this done with take-out food, too.

It took me a while to find this store after moving to London from San Francisco. Not only is it harder to find un-packaged things here (as someone else mentioned) but most things come in smaller containers than I was used to, which looks cute (like little toy groceries!) but is of course a waste of packaging. The Rainbow Co-Op in SF is a magical place, nothing like it here. Miss the Berkeley Bowl too.