Shopping the Unpackaged Way

Customers come in with reusable bags full of Tupperware. They leave with reusable bags full of Tupperware full of food. They take it all home, eat their food, go back to the store and repeat. Great idea, right?

Unpackaged, a small organic grocery store that just opened in London, gives discounts to customers who use their own containers to package their grains, produce, cleaning liquids – you name it.

Compare that to most grocery stores: aisles of prepackaged goods using way too much packaging, later placed in plastic or paper bags. Even when I try to buy fresh and organic, it's difficult when the farmer's market isn't in season. I personally love many things about Trader Joe's – affordability, a wide selection of organic and fair-trade products and interesting, ethnic foods. But I hate that the produce comes wrapped like a Christmas present. Similarly, I like fresh-ground peanut butter, but because most stores have no way to measure the weight of my own plastic container, I'm forced to keep buying their flimsy plastic tubs.

It seems like every angle of the business, from source to sale, stands to save money by eliminating the cost of packaging and most likely by buying from more local food providers. Plus, the trash or recycling option isn't even an issue.

I hope Unpackaged either becomes a chain or inspires other stores to adopt the same sensibilities.

Photo: The Guardian