Reducing Plastic as a Student in London

Everyone has the best intentions when it comes to reducing single-use plastic waste. But sometimes the best intentions just aren’t enough. That’s why this article has compiled some of the best shops and online delivery services that’ll make sustainable choices easy for you. From weekly groceries to personal care products, these companies have got you covered. 

BULK MARKET (in-store & online) 

Bulk market is a plastic-free shop in Hackney, selling everything: organic fruit and veg, staple foods, personal hygiene products, DIY cosmetics, snacks, zero-waste kits, and most importantly, freshly ground peanut butter! (who wouldn’t want that?). Sold at affordable prices, the Bulk Market is your one-stop-shop for zero-waste products.  

The best part is, they also offer online delivery. You can simply go to the shop’s website, select what you want, and they’ll deliver to most areas in central London. Grocery shopping plastic-free has never been easier. 

THE SOURCE BULK FOODS (in-store and online)  

The Source has its roots in Australia when it was opened in 2012 with the aim of reducing packaging and carbon footprint of grocery shopping. The concept arrived in the UK in 2018 and is now one of the leaders in London Zero-waste shopping; they have stores in Chiswick and Battersea, but like the Bulk Market, also have online delivery systems. Their product range is similar to that of The Bulk Market but tends to be slightly cheaper. 

The zero-waste blog on their website is also a great place to get tips and tricks on how you can live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle! 

WEARTH LONDON (online) 

Although WEARTH isn’t entirely packaging-free, we’ve decided to include them in this list because their focus is still on ethical, environmentally friendly products, and they’ve also got a dedicated ‘zero waste’ section on their website. Slightly different to other bulk stores, WEARTH doesn’t sell food products, but offers pretty much everything else you might need: they have an extensive range of ethically produced products from furniture, jewellery, zero-waste starter kits and more.

If you’re interested in making purchases that are not just good for you but for the environment and our society, be sure to check out WEARTH. 

ABEL & COLE (online)

Abel & Cole offers one of the most wholesome online shopping experiences you could have. They provide delicious, ethical sustainably sourced fresh produce, as well as pantry staples, weekly essentials, fresh bakery and household products all in sustainable returnable, reusable, recyclable packaging. 

FARM DROP (online)  

Farm drop is an online market for purchasing fresh produce as well as other foodstuffs, all of which you can filter using the ‘plastic-free’ option on their website. They also wrap whatever produce requires bagging with compostable bags, making it a much better alternative than going to supermarkets. You won’t be missing out on convenience either, because their fast delivery allows you to order by midday for a next day delivery! 

Oh, and they also have a recipe section on their website with ideas on how you can produce seasonal recipes using their high-quality ingredients.

Making sustainable choices doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s all about knowing where to source your products and produce. Hopefully this guide offers you a glimpse into all the creative ways you can make a positive impact. Finally, it’s also important to remember that when it comes to sustainability, the best thing to do is to reduce consumption in general - purchasing sustainably is the next best option.