What is a Zero-Waste store? Are they coming to Ireland?

Published by Marie Daffe on November 22, 2016November 22, 2016

[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-right”]November 22th, 2016[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-justify”]The Zero-waste movement is growing, faster and faster, all over the world, and Europe figures prominently in this development. Not a week goes by without a new zero-waste store popping up somewhere. Pioneers such as Germany, Spain, Italy and France led the field but smaller countries – Belgium, Denmark and Switzerland, to name but a few, are now catching up (most of them are listed here). Unfortunately, there is no such shop in Ireland yet, but it is not unthinkable to believe it will be soon the case. Indeed, some people are seriously discussing the prospect on a very active Facebook group – Zero Waste Ireland – with a view to opening a zero-waste store in Dublin soon.

The pattern is emerging thanks to the growing concern of people towards the environment and their will to take action in favour of its preservation. The situation is dramatic right now, especially regarding plastic. We know how badly it impacts oceans and its wildlife, including the creation of what we now call now the “seventh continent” or the “plastic continent” into Pacific ocean, which is a third of the size of the United States!

It is thus urgent to act and no action is insignificant. This is why zero-waste stores are committed to this battle.

How does a zero-waste store work?
This is a very simple concept that has existed for some time. This is just the way our grandparents used to do their shopping. Bonus: it works everywhere, not solely in zero-waste stores. Because, if you pay attention, you will find bulk (almost) everywhere, the easiest place still being the market.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” class=”cs-ta-justify” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_icon_list][cs_icon_list_item title=”Bring your own clean containers (glass jars for liquids, cloth bags for dried items,…) from home or use the ones from the shop if it offers some (the ones which do that do it for free)” type=”circle” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]Bring your own clean containers (glass jars for liquids, cloth bags for dried items,…) from home or use the ones from the shop if it offers some (the ones which do that do it for free)[/cs_icon_list_item][cs_icon_list_item title=”If not already done before, weigh your containers (no need for the bags if you choose them very light) at the scale provided by the shop. Tip: write the weight directly on the container with an indelible marker pen, so your next visit will be faster” type=”circle” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]If not already done before, weigh your containers (no need for the bags if you choose them very light) at the scale provided by the shop. Tip: write the weight directly on the container with an indelible marker pen, so your next visit will be faster[/cs_icon_list_item][cs_icon_list_item title=”Fill them up with your choice of bulk items” type=”circle” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]Fill them up with your choice of bulk items[/cs_icon_list_item][cs_icon_list_item title=”Go to the till where the weight of your containers will be deducted” type=”circle” link_enabled=”false” link_url=”#” link_new_tab=”false”]Go to the till where the weight of your containers will be deducted[/cs_icon_list_item][/cs_icon_list][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-justify”]That’s all! Some may find this way of shopping too constraining, but this is actually just a matter of getting used to it. We have already taken the habit of going to the grocery with our own bags – or at least we should have – so why not our own containers? The easiest way not to be unprepared is to set up a “shopping kit” with bags and containers and always have it in the trunk of the car or somewhere else where you won’t forget it. Even if you do, the store will always have a solution for you. In return, do not hesitate to bring them the glass jars you are not using. It will certainly help another person who has their head in the clouds!

Image: A zero-waste store with a large range of loose vegetables and bulk dry products. Credit: True Activist[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_author title=”About the Author” author_id=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]