Every step towards Zero Waste is a Step Up.
When you start a zero-waste lifestyle, you soon notice that shopping at a supermarket becomes less common. There is so much plastic packaging! Fortunately, there are package-free and bulk food stores, where you can shop without guilt!
You might think of a bulk store as a place where you have to buy big. But that’s not necessarily the case. Think of it more like an organic supermarket, greengrocer, or specialty food shop. Some stores also let you order online, but it can be just as much fun to visit them.
Lucky us, we have a wholefoods refill store called Refill Nation, located in the heart of Te Atatū Peninsula. Founder and owner, Jackson Mulligan, set out to offer everyday shoppers a chance to reduce their waste when they shop, and help eliminate single-use plastics in New Zealand. After opening his flagship store two years ago, Jackson is now opening his second Titirangi store in April this year. It goes to show that the concept is working, and that us Kiwis are thinking more conscientiously about how we shop and the waste we make.
What does a package-free store look like?
What immediately stands out is that there are rows of bulk food containers. In these containers are a diverse range of products, such as rice, flour, pasta, legumes, herbs, sugar, nuts, dried fruit, and much more. There are also dispensers for liquid products, such as oils, vinegars, syrups, kombucha, and eco cleaners. And then there are products already packed in glass jars, such as confectionary, milk, and peanut butter.
How does it work?
Simple: use the store paper bags or take your own packaging (think glass jars or plastic containers), weigh them first and record the weight. Then fill your container with your choice of products – take as much or as little as you need. At the counter, the friendly staff will deduct the weight of your empty container off the total weight. You only pay for the contents!
What about the prices?
Prices in package-free stores are very competitive with the supermarket. The big advantage and point of difference are that you can buy as much or as little as you like. So, you don’t have to buy a 500g pack of pasta, if you only need 200g for a meal. And if you only need a few tablespoons of a certain herb, you don’t need to buy a whole jar. In short, if you shop more conscientiously, you can help save the planet and your wallet!
Off The Wall Marketing plays a proactive and leading role in the use of sustainable material in advertising and packaging.
We know that creativity and a different mindset could improve your business becoming more sustainable.
Our mission is trying to convince you that things can be done different.
It’s just a matter of doing.
Andre Hendriks
021 0734711
www.offthewallmarketing.co.nz
info@offthewallmarketing.co.nz