Being a conscious consumer starts at home. Just bring your own containers, pop down to one of these fantastic refill stores, and enjoy!
The easiest way to reduce waste in your home is to eliminate the amount of excess packaging coming in. By bringing your own containers to a refill store, you can stock up on everyday products like porridge oats and washing up liquid, and by buying unpackaged fruit and vegetables, you avoid the use of unrecyclable plastics. A win-win!
Have you got a local zero-waste store that isn’t mentioned? Let us know and we can feature it on our list!
1. Small Changes, Drumcondra, Dublin
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3zSzoGHUTz/
The ethos behind this business is in the name: that small lifestyle changes can have a hugely beneficial impact on our lives, and the lives of others. Small Changes offers sustainable eco-friendly alternatives to your weekly shop, with a refill area and juice bar. It prides itself on being a hub for the community; hosting events as well as supporting local businesses and growers.
2. Twig Refill Shop, Clonakilty, Cork
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp5Mn71gNZm/
The very cute Twig in Clonakilty is the new business by the team behind The Olive Branch health food emporium. It is a refill store where you can stock up on all the essentials for your home, all you need is to bring your own container. Alternatively, you can avail of Twig’s 100% cotton reusable bags and glass jars to stock up with bulk buys of grains, legumes, herbs and spices, dried fruit, nuts, olive oils, apple cider vinegar and more.
3. Dublin Food Co-op, Kilmainham, Dublin
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4PDx1bnfy_/
The Dublin Food Coop’s new permanent home in Kilmainham is open seven days a week, from 8am to 7pm on weekdays and 9am to 6pm on weekends. Stocking Irish produce, fresh bread, ethically-friendly products and lots of options for vegans, vegetarians and more, this is definitely one to visit. Cool products we can’t wait to try include Merry Mill gluten-free porridge, Palm Free Irish Soap from Kildare, and fairtrade Clonakilty Chocolate. Zero waste options include refillable castille soap, shampoo bars by AB Soaps in Wicklow, and more.
4. Noms, Phibsborough, Dublin
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0D1XNeiz6B/
Noms, which stands for Natural Organic Mindful Sustainable, stocks organic, unpackaged fruit and veg, unpackaged loose and organic dry ingredients. You will also find green living essentials such as washing up detergent, shampoo and conditioner refills, bicarbonate of soda and apple cider vinegar. Pop in for a coffee, which is certified organic and roasted by the family-run Mahers Roastery in Cork.
5. The Sustainable Store, Blackrock Market
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw98h1gnZWu/
Open Thursday to Sunday, this minimal waste store sells plastic-free and chemical-free products. They sell a host of household essentials, such as Dalkey-made shampoo bars, charcoal water filters to remove chemicals, Little Lamb reusable cloth nappies, and much more. Check out their site for their extensive list of products!
6. Pax Whole Foods & Eco Goods, Westport, Mayo
This beautiful shop is located at the end of Market Lane and sells a wide range of goods for those wanting to avoid single-use-plastics. They have dispensers for grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and more, as well as refill stations for shampoo, conditioner, and other body products. They also provide plastic-free packaged deodorant, soap, toothpaste, and much more. Don’t forget your containers!
7. Ode to Earth, Killarney, Kerry
This minimal waste shop can be found at markets and events in the Kerry area. They stock a range of plastic-free, natural products – from bamboo toothbrushes, to cleaning products, to soaps and reusable bottles. Make sure to follow their Facebook page linked above to catch them at their next market!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxPWY5gjU-D/
This co-op has been based in the heart of Cork city since 1982 and provides a hub for the community. With a vegetarian restaurant, in-house bakery, and three food shops across the city, the co-op is an amazing resource. Pop in for a bite to eat, a delicious coffee, and some sustainable food products – you won’t be disappointed.
9. Bare Necessities Ireland, Carlow
The Leinster-based Bare Necessities sells a range of loose food staples and hygiene products to help you live a plastic-free, zero-waste lifestyle. You can find them at the weekly Friday Market in the Bullring, Wexford town, a weekly Saturday market in Skerries Mills and once a month in Maynooth and the Newbridge Cottage Market.
10. The Natural Company/Simply Green, Donegal
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByFsL4QIf71/
The Natural Company was launched as a space to provide plastic-free and palm oil-free products. A browse on their Instagram page will reveal their extensive list of products; from coffee cups, to biodegradable toothbrushes, to portable cutlery kits. They also own a coffee shop, Simply Green, which provides zero-waste coffee and sustainable treats to the local community. Well worth a visit if you are in Donegal!
11. The Filling Station Eco Store, Galway
This refill and eco store stocks over 200 lines of mainly organic food products, as well as a wide selection of household products, skincare, personal hygiene products, babycare, laundry, and household cleaning items. Perfect for stocking up on all your necessities.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3PlsTbiV1Z/
This retail store and coffee shop is new to the Limerick community. Offering eco-friendly and sustainable products, homeware, delicious coffee, and trendy recycled tote bags. What more could you want?
CULT:ZERO covers all the bases when it comes to sustainable shopping, offering home wares, refillable dried foods, coconut dish brushes, shampoo bars, stainless steel lunch boxes, and much more.
14. Veganic, Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, Dublin
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2iw65NnRyw/
Veganic is a new addition to Dublin. The 100% organic, 100% plant-based supermarket has it all, from dispensers for pasta, rice and nuts, to organic health and beauty products, to vegan pet food!
