Shopping zero waste is a great way to reduce the amount of waste produced. When we say shopping zero waste we mean buying loose or asking the shop to put the product in your own (clean!) container, rather than buying something covered in single use plastic/cardboard/tin (even if that cover is recyclable, only 30% of plastic waste is actually recycled in Europe). The key to shopping zero waste is being prepared, have your bags and containers ready to go and remember these can be reused takeaway containers, yoghurt pots, plastic cereal bags etc – use what you have, definitely no need to buy new cloth bags or tins! And remember to buy only what you need or will definitely use, to prevent food waste – refill and loose options make this easy.
If the item you want to buy cannot be food packaging free and there are different packaging material options choose glass and paper/cardboard as these have the highest recycling rates (about 80%). Cardboard can decompose in three months in the right conditions (compared to a plastic bag which can take 20 years to decompose or a plastic water bottle which can take 450 years) and glass is 100% recyclable and can be endlessly reprocessed with no loss of quality.
Here are some shops we found in Cork city and county for buying zero or low waste food (and see our map above for more!).
***If you are a business who would like to correct information here OR be added to the list, please contact us corkzerowaste@gmail.com***
TWIG refill, Spillers Lane, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Bring your own containers here to stock up with bulk buys of grains, legumes, herbs and spices, dried fruit, nuts, olive oils, apple cider vinegar and more. They also offer refill chemical-free household cleaning products, shampoo, and skin-care, and a wide range of refillable containers, coffee cups, and canteens.
Leafling Mercantile, 4 Main St, Ballinspittle, Co. Cork
Another refill store with a selection of grain, nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruit and veg, teas and more.
- 24 Sullivan’s Quay, Cork City
- Main Street, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
- Main Street, Carrigaline, Co. Cork
With a selection of loose fruit and veg, these stores also offer a great selection of organic and wholefood, vegetarian food stock. The Sullivan’s Quay offers refillable cleaning and toiletry product options as well as dried grains and nuts so bring your own containers. There is also a refill water station!
Mr Bells, Units 25 & 26, The English Market, Cork city
Various rices, dried beans, grain and dried fruits to fill your own container in the heart of Cork city.
Cork Rooftop Farm, 8 The Coal Quay, Cork city
Bring your containers to fill with organic dried grains, beans, fruit, nuts, seeds, spices or dried herbs. They also sell locally grown, loose veg (including their microgreens grown on the roof of the building!) and eggs from their hens (bring an old box to fill).
Bradleys Off Licence and Food Store, 81 North Main St, Cork city
Bring your own glass bottle to fill up on oils and vinegars here.
Loose Leaf Tea & Coffee, 4 Fenns Quay, Sheares Street, Cork city
A huge selection of loose leaf teas and some coffees on sale here, bring your own container and fill up!
Mahers, 25 Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork city
Choose from a selection of loose teas and coffees here.
Earthway Refill, 3 Main Street, Midleton, Co Cork
Bring your own tubs, jars, bags, bottles and fill up on good organic food, oils and beauty/household products.
The Real Olive Company, the English Market, Grand Parade, Cork city (they can also be found at markets/shops around the county, see here)
Bring your own tub and fill them up with a selection of salads, olives and other preserved delights. They also have a selection of cheeses and often stock bunches of local wildflowers wrapped in paper for purchase.
MyGoodness, Unit 1 & 2, The English market, Princes Street, Cork city
An all vegan selection of fermented food and drink, bring back any empty glass bottles or containers bought at this stall to be reused and receive a discount on your next purchase. You can also find a selection of loose fruit and veg.
Superfruit, The English Market, Grand Parade, Cork city
This stall stocks a wide selection of loose fruit and veg.
You can also find a selection of loose fruit and veg as well as some baked goods in most supermarkets.
By Aisling Kett
