‘Going zero-waste’: the expression has exploded over the last few years. Yet, with a puny number of plastic-free alternatives in your local supermarket, and no zero-waste shop near you, does ditching the single-use seem daunting?
Having a plastic free pantry, bathroom and bedroom might not have to remain a fantasy, thanks to the growing availability of online plastic free goods and groceries. Here's our top ten.
Online zero-waste stores mean that stocking up for your weekly food, bath and beauty routines need not involve juggling jars and weighing walnuts.
You can bypass the plastic and buy in the bread and butter from the comfort of your own home.
Why try to go towards zero-waste in the first place? Yes, litter looks unsightly, but is buying your essentials sealed in a protective layer really that bad?
Here are the points you need to know about single use plastic:
Surfers Against Sewage is an amazing marine conservation society, who protect beaches waves and wildlife.
These stats and facts were gathered together by environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage.
Enough of the grim stuff!
You can appease these issues.
Try out one of these 10 online plastic free online shops. Opt for a plate of anti-plasti or a biodegradable gift box at your next shop.
Stylish and sustainable, this is a club you really do want to be a member of. Zero Waste Club stocks all your storeroom essentials, like organic:
On top of this, they have some wonderful reusable bathroom and kitchen equipment to help you go zero-waste. We’re talking:
Stock up bamboo alternatives to single use plastic essentials
Zero Waste Club grew out of two friends’ dissatisfaction with the disingenuity of so many brands, who sport the ‘sustainable’ label to simply be stylish. For Rishi and Pawan, encouraging ethical consumerism really lies at the core of their company. That’s why they also:
To tree-top it all off, for almost every item sold, they’ll sow a sapling to keep the carbon footprint low.
Plastic Free Pantry describe themselves as a ‘small’ social enterprise. Yet, the range of plastic free products they provide is anything but. Have you been put off the plastic free life because the zero-waste shop near you is a little limited? Plastic Free Pantry is the perfect online place.
They think 2025 is not soon enough to quit plastic. So, they offer a vast variety of whole foods and storeroom staples. You can stock up on:
Neither your pantry nor your planet will be left wanting once you’ve visited this online store. Everything will be delivered in paper or home compostable plant film, i.e. NOT plastic.
Order your food shop from Plastic Free Pantry and rid yourself of plastic packaging
This pantry helps to clean up communities too. They offer a 10% discount, if you pick up 10 pieces of litter.
Working zero-waste practices into every stage of the production line is what the plastic free pantry are particularly good at. Sometimes, buying products plastic-free in bulk is not possible. In this case, they work with suppliers to change their packaging, or seek new produce sources. They also provide information and resources to help others go zero waste. This info will become accessible on their website in the coming months.
Organic string bags, reusable coffee cups and pot brushes. Looking to kit out your kitchen, bathroom and beauty routine with products that do not pollute the planet? Checking out this online zero-waste shop is definitely Worth your Whyle.
Founder of WorthWhyle, Ashley, is dedicated to supporting independent brands. She founded the company as part of her mission to popularise the idea that we all have purchasing power.
Her online shop showcases everything that she herself looks for in a store. It is a single place that stocks a variety of low waste, cruelty free, and plastic free home goods.
WorthWhyle wants to show you that you have purchasing power.
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The game is in the name. This brilliant online shop specialise in bespoke boxes. They come packed with your individual toxin and plastic free preferences. Choose from:
Plastic free products can be bought by themselves from this online shop as well. They sell sweet treats, like vegan cookies and cocoa, as well as a litany of lifestyle products from socks to soap bars.
Buy all sorts of sweet, zero waste treats from LOWTOXBOX
Plastic free is not the only priority for LOWTOXBOX founder Lucy. She seeks out natural substitutes for products many of us use everyday, which tend to contain toxins.
Her boxes are perfect for presents, or for filling in that one area of the zero-waste lifestyle you were struggling with. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the hand-picked products in each of Lucy’s boxes are protected by plastic-free packaging and labelled with non-toxic inks. LOWTOXBOX also plant a tree for every box they sell, to offset their carbon footprint.
LOWTOXBOX make brilliant gifts for those looking to get started going zero waste
If there’s no zero-waste stop on your block, try No Plastic Shop. Amongst so many other bathroom and toiletry supplies, you can find:
No Plastic Shop also offer a subscription service, to make your plastic free shopping even more mindless. By signing up, you can save time and money. A regular order will be delivered to you every one, two or three months at 15% off the marked price.
You don’t need to get het up about being a hypocrite either. All orders are sent out in zero-plastic packaging and locally recycled materials are used wherever possible.
No Plastic Shop offers a subscription service
"We all need to start reducing our plastic waste, if we want to preserve the oceans for future generations. There are so many wonderful products available that contain no plastic, especially basics such as soap and shampoo. Not only is swapping to zero plastic products better for the environment, it can also be better for your hair, skin and well being," says No Plastic Shop's owner, Izzy Crouch.
Order regular deliveries of zero waste essentials like hard bar shampoo
Any eco essential you can think of can be purchased from the Plastic Free Shop. What’s great about this zero-waste website is that it’s easier to navigate than a physical supermarket. Thanks to their neat and nifty categories, you feel organised and in control of your plastic free purchases.
The Plastic Free Shop has categories to help you organise your plastic free purchases
The creator of the Plastic Free Shop is Cath. It was developed out of her own determination to find good value and great quality, planet-friendly alternatives for the everyday shopper. Maybe that’s why her online store is so practical!
True to their word, The Plastic Free Shop ensures that their plastic-free pledge is continued in their packaging. Thus, your gifts, toiletries and wildflower seeds will come wrapped in reused or recycled paper, sealed with biodegradable tape and can all be recycled or composted with your carboard box! Even your invoice will be printed on unbleached recycled paper!
Planet friendly, great value alternatives for the everyday shopper.
This new company are bringing a fresh eco energy to the zero-waste scene. Alongside the reusable staples (like shampoo and toothbrushes), their online plastic free shop stocks some bits and pieces you might not have thought of.
There are so many little caps, seals and clasps that can sneak into your bathroom, bedroom or cooking cabinets.
Anything But Plastic sell items like:
Buy zero waste hair ties, sun cream and sponges from Anything But Plastic
The superwoman behind this online space is Jenny. She is not out to pull the plastic wrap over anyone’s eyes. That’s why Anything But Plastic are developing a rating system for the different materials they use. This means that we, the consumers, can make fully informed choices about our purchases, and help this enterprise go fully zero waste.
You can also give a gift voucher to that friend or family member who has yet to climb aboard the anti-plastic train.
Anything but plastic are creating a rating system for their materials.
Is it the beauty and wellness side of the zero-waste zeitgeist that’s your bugbear? Then Acala Online are your answer. Giving up your old go-to products, which work perfectly for your skin and style, can be one of the hardest parts of the plastic free path.
Acala’s online zero-waste supplies include:
And if these don’t suit you, they have aDIY beauty section that stocks the kit and concoctions required to craft your own personalised products.
Acala have zero waste parenthood covered too
If you have a newborn then thinking about, let alone sourcing, a plastic free supply of baby productsis just not top of your to do list. Luckily, Acala sell:
Their Zero To Landfill (ZTL) Loop Scheme is how Acala are working towards eliminating health and beauty related waste from landfills. As part of this programme, you can return your glass bottles to Acala, free of charge. This will radically reduce the resources used in the production of beauty bottles.
Acala is your one stop shop for plastic free beauty products and skincare
Good Club are the first ever online zero-waste food supermarket. Yes, you read that right.
They sell thousands of sustainable food stuffs and household supplies. To achieve this ethically, they are developing a closed loop system. This means they will eventually use custom designers, reusable product packaging and delivery boxes. So, each time you have a food delivery from them, your boxes and barrels will be recovered, cleaned and reused.
By cutting out middlemen and focussing on selling 3,000 staple items as opposed to fresh fruit and veg, the Good Club are making it possible for anyone to have a well-stocked ethical store cupboard.
This enterprise have enough on offer to help any customer move closer towards zero-waste.
This barely scratches the sustainable surface - there is a plethora of plastic free pleasure to be explored!
Order your non fresh good from Good Club and make use of their reusable packaging
Whilst Boobalou is a distributor of a wide range zero-waste essentials, they also craft a few of their own zero-waste products as well. Alongside the standard plastic free options, they have some unique items, including:
What makes this online store unique is that they are a proud member of 1% For The Planet. This means that they donate 1% of their revenue to protecting our oceans from plastic pollution.
Eco Living also partner with Eden Reforestation Projects, planting native trees to help stop climate change and reduce extreme poverty. For every product they sell, they get something green growing, so they are completely carbon neutral.
Because they are deeply committed to doing as little harm to the environment as possible, their products are vegan as well as being plastic free.
Head to Boobalou for a range of zero waste cleaning essentials, skincare and haircare
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All these zero-waste supplies are great, but where do you start with eco-friendly holiday essentials?
Here’s a list of everything that should go into your sustainable suitcase
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Chat to other people going zero waste in our Facebook group
10 Of The Best Online Plastic Free Zero Waste Stores for #nowaste shopping at home
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