I’ve watched a couple of recent programmes on the BBC aboutplastic packaging, we are here again and I still can’t believe we are still struggling with this. Year after year, household waste — especially plastic — remains embarrassingly high, even though manufacturers, retailers, and we as consumers are increasingly aware of the need to reduce it.
The problem — and why it persists
- Everyday shopping still overwhelmingly involves unnecessary plastic. In the UK, around 70% of food and drink items on supermarket shelves are packaged in plastic. DSSmith.com Corporate Why?
- For many households, online grocery shopping — now more common than ever — has made the problem worse. A recent study found that online deliveries often create “invisible” plastic packaging waste, because consumers rarely see all the bags, wrappers or containers piling up until after delivery. packaginginsights.com I am unfortunately, currently, someone who relies on online grocery shopping!
- Even for people trying to make better choices, recycling alone isn’t enough. Recycling rates remain low, and many plastic items cannot be fully recycled. What? — or end up contaminated. So the real need is to cut plastic production, packaging and single-use at the source. Greenpeace UK Please?
- As you may say — for many of us it’s not that easy to shop at refillable or “zero-waste” shops. Maybe because of cost, location, mobility or life circumstances. That means it’s hard for lots of people to live completely plastic-free, even if they want to.
What could help — and what more needs to be done?
- Retailers and manufacturers must do much more: to reduce the amount of plastic packaging overall, switch to packaging that’s recyclable or better still reusable, and make refill / zero-waste options widely available — not just niche or premium. Greenpeace UK
- There should be more support for reuse/refill systems — even for online shopping. Research by the charity WRAP suggests that highlighting reusable-packaging options more clearly online (and prompting customers to choose them) could significantly help shift habits. WRAP
- On a personal level — even without access to “zero-waste shops” or refill stores — it’s possible to reduce plastic waste gradually through simple swaps and awareness. Yes please!
Some ideas: If You Can’t Get to Refill Shops — There Are Resources
If you can’t afford or physically access refillable shops right now — the good news is that there are online options. Several websites in the UK offer “zero-waste”, plastic-free or low-packaging shopping. One large list of such suppliers (with everything from groceries to cleaning products) is maintained as a guide to “zero waste shops UK”. greenecofriend.co.uk
Also, many of the zero-waste strategies (loose produce, reusing containers, reusable cloths and wraps) don’t require special shops — they just need a bit of planning, and reuse what you already have at home. It’s not rocket science!
My Thoughts — Why The Fight Isn’t Over
It frustrates me deeply and I am being polite when I say this, (and I know it frustrates you too!) that after decades of knowing about plastic waste and environmental damage, our society is still so hooked on single-use packaging. So Bad it’s on another level. And the fact that people who want to make sustainable choices. Yes Please! Are often the ones who are hit the hardest (financially, and logistically– believe it or not!) feels horribly unfair. Real change needs action from the top (industry, retailers, manufacturers, government) Hello are you listening?— not just individual choices. It shouldn’t just be “up to us” either, the supermarkets, industry, manufacturers and government need to be on board too! If only!
But this doesn’t mean giving up. No? Every small swap helps. Ok, promising! — and pushing for broader change (through awareness, discussion, pressure or support for refill / reuse systems) which are quite nice places to be in actually! matters. I believe that if enough of us keep making small efforts and demanding, yes demanding better from the companies that make our food and goods, we could shift the system.
Online zero-waste / low-waste shops in the UK
| Shop / Service | What they offer / Why they’re useful |
|---|---|
| The Friendly Turtle | A UK “zero waste shop” delivering sustainable, eco-friendly household goods, often plastic-free or with minimal packaging. Zero Waste Shop The Friendly Turtle |
| Zero Store | Online zero-waste shop with a range of plastic-free / eco-friendly products aiming to help people live a less-waste lifestyle. Zero Store |
| The Source Bulk Foods (UK) | A retailer advertising “100% plastic-free” bulk food and lifestyle goods — useful if you want to buy staples (like grains, pulses, dry goods) with minimal or no packaging. The Source Bulk Foods UK |
| Plastics Free | Sells sustainable, eco-friendly swaps for everyday essentials; committed to plastic-free, carbon-neutral shipping and even “collecting plastic waste with every order.” Plastics Free |
| Plastic Freedom | A one-stop site for eco-conscious or eco-curious shoppers — with a wide range of plastic-free, refillable or sustainable products (home, personal care, cleaning, etc.). Plastic Freedom |
| The Green Turtle | Offers a variety of eco-friendly, plastic-free products (household, bathroom, kitchen, even baby/child, gifts). Good if you want to gradually swap everyday items. The Green Turtle |
Some Useful Notes / What to Check Before Ordering
- Many of these shops offer household essentials, toiletries or cleaning/beauty items — so you don’t need to rely on “zero-waste shops near me,” you can just order online.
- Some focus on bulk food or pantry staples (like The Source Bulk Foods) which means you can buy things like lentils, rice, flour, pulses etc with minimal or no packaging — useful if you want to reduce plastic packaging for food.
- Shops like Plastics Free and Plastic Freedom emphasise plastic-free packaging and carbon-neutral or low-waste shipping, which helps even if you order from home.
Limitations & What to Consider
- Some of the “zero-waste” shops may still use some packaging (especially for delivery), so it’s worth checking how much of the order comes wrapped or in plastic.
- Because of shipping and often smaller-scale retail, prices might be a bit higher than big supermarkets — but many people find the trade-off worthwhile for the environmental benefit.
- For bulk-style shops, check whether they deliver to your area (most seem to cover the UK broadly, but availability can vary).
UK Shops/Services That Deliver Nationally or Broadly
| Shop / Service | Key notes / what they offer |
|---|---|
| Yoyo Grocery Co | According to a roundup of zero-waste/eco-grocery services, they “deliver nationwide,” with bulk foods and reusable packaging. Zero Wasted |
| The Source Bulk Foods UK | Their UK website shows they are a bulk-food and lifestyle store offering plastic-free/low-waste items — and their UK-online shop is listed among “UK shoppers can order anywhere in the UK.” Taste France Magazine |
| Zero Store | This is a zero-waste online shop for home, pantry, personal care and more. Their site indicates online ordering and (implied) UK-wide delivery coverage. Zero Store |
| Real Plastic Free | Offers fully plastic-free grocery delivery, packaging with only paper or biodegradable material. Good if you want to avoid plastic packaging altogether. realplasticfree.com |
| Scoop Wholefoods | Their website says all their bulk products are 100% plastic-free, with sustainable packaging (recycled/compostable paper bags, glass jars, etc.). Might be a good option for dry goods and staples. Scoop Wholefoods |
| Real Foods | A long-established retailer offering organic/wholefoods, with online delivery across UK and a reputation for good packaging practices. Real Foods |
Just To Be Clear About: Real Foods & Real Plastic Free (If You Were Wondering!)
As you know (from what I have written already), I’ve been looking into ways to cut down on household waste, especially plastic packaging, and I’ve discovered something really interesting — Real Foods and Real Plastic Free are actually part of the same company.
Real Foods has been around for over 40 years, selling organic and whole foods across the UK. Their sister site, Real Plastic Free, focuses on offering the same kind of products — but packed in compostable, plastic-free packaging instead of plastic bags.
It’s great to see a long-established company recognising that packaging really matters. For people like me who can’t easily get to refill or zero-waste shops, this makes sustainable shopping a bit more realistic.
They deliver across the UK, and you can choose from a wide range of dry goods, household items and organic food — all packed responsibly.
It’s not a perfect solution (we still need manufacturers and big supermarkets to do much more), but this is definitely a step in the right direction.
What You Should Check Before Ordering
- Delivery area / postcode check: Even if they say “nationwide,” it’s best to try entering your full postcode at checkout or check the FAQs to confirm delivery eligibility.
- Packaging & “plastic-free” claims: “Bulk” or “plastic-free” doesn’t always mean zero-waste — check whether items come in compostable paper, glass, or reusable containers rather than plastic bags.
- Minimum order or shipping cost: Some shops may require a minimum spend for free delivery, or have higher delivery fees for lower orders.
- What’s available: Some shops focus on dry goods (grains, pulses, pantry items), others may include cleaning products, toiletries or household items. Pick according to what you need.
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