According to a National Geographic report, plastic waste in the ocean will triple by 2040, resulting in 29 million metric tonnes flowing into the ocean annually. This is the equivalent of roughly 483 333 African elephants. While the burden of change should be placed on large corporations that rely on cheap, single-use plastic to package their products, the driving factor is how consumers spend their money. It can be overwhelming to know where to begin when looking to cut down on plastic. Luckily, there are a number of zero waste stores dotted around Hong Kong that are trailblazing towards a brighter, plastic-free future. Here is a list of 10 zero waste stores in Hong Kong.
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Slowood is an eco-store that aims to provide green options for all areas of daily life. Their bulk bins offer a variety of groceries and their refill stations provide everything from household cleaning products and toiletries to gardening essentials. Slowood has begun branching out into hemp clothing and it also offers a few select second-hand pieces. Slowood offers a 5% discount if you bring your own jar/container.
Locations & hours:
- Kennedy Town Store:
The Hudson, 11 Davis Street, Sai Wan
Monday to Sunday 10:00 – 22:00
- Discovery Bay Store:
Shop Unit No.151, 1/F, DB Plaza (Block C) Discovery Bay
Monday to Sunday: 10:00 – 20:00
A bulk beauty, foods and goods store, Live Zero endeavours to eradicate waste from every part of their supply chain. From plastic- and fragrance-free toilet paper, to bulk Beyond Meats, Live Zero has thought of it all. Live Zero’s bulk beauty store (across the road from their bulk foods store in Sai Ying Pun) provides the opportunity to transform your daily routines in all aspects.
Locations & hours:
- G/F 33 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
11:00 – 20:00
- G/F 22 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday: 10:00am – 7pm
Tuesday & Wednesday Closed
Sunday and Public Holidays: 10:00am – 6pm
Edgar is a zero waste, bulk grocery store that stocks natural, organic, and fair-trade products, which are mostly imported from Europe (the goods are imported in bulk to minimise their carbon footprint). Bringing your own containers is welcomed, but the shop also stocks a variety of reusable storage containers.
Location & hours:
- 5 Moon Street, Wan Chai
Monday – Friday: 11:00 – 20:00
Saturday: 11:00 – 20:30
Sunday: 11:00 – 19:30
This online store will help you reduce your plastic waste from the convenience of your own home. Plastic-Free HK aims to promote a minimalistic, sustainable lifestyle. Their products range from kitchenware to bath and beauty, and domestic delivery is free for orders over HKD$750.
Seed (Saving the Earth Every Day) is a zero waste grocery store located in Sai Kung. Seed provides all the staples to keep a kitchen well-stocked, as well as reusable containers and household cleaning products. The store encourages shoppers to bring their own containers, but does have some donated jars and containers that you can use.
Location and hours:
- 29 Yee Kuk Street, Sai Kung
Monday – Sunday: 11:00 – 18:00
Lively Life stocks everything you need to shift to a more sustainable, waste-free life. With bulk noodles, vinegars, rice and other essentials, it offers bulking buying, as well as an array of kitchen and beauty items. The store also regularly hosts craft workshops that focus on creating sustainable products (such as beeswax wrap).
Location and hours:
- Shop UG6, UG/F, CC Wu Building, 302-308 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
Monday – Friday: 11:30 – 19:30
Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 – 19:00
VomFASS is the place to go for anything liquid. Stocking a wide range of gourmet vinegars, oils, wines, rums and whiskies, the store allows you to refill your own bottles, or purchase one of their reusable glass bottles.
Locations and hours:
Numerous locations throughout Hong Kong.
Organic We is helping consumers reduce their personal waste and create toxic-free homes. The store focuses on conscious consumption and reduced packaging. You are encouraged to bring your own containers, as not all of the products are available to purchase package-free.
Location and hours:
- Room 1601, 16 / F, Good Hope Building, 5 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok
Monday – Friday: 12:30 – 20:30
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 11:30 – 19:30
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Founded by two friends (Margot Lane and Ella Wightman, hence Margella), The Bulk Shop aims to capture the essence of community by helping people connect, become more sustainable and share experiences. The shop stocks everything from body and hair products, to pantry staples and other essentials.
Location and hours:
- 8-25, Level 2, Jade Plaza, 3 On Chee Road, Tai Po
Tuesday-Friday: 12:00 – 19:00
Saturday: 11:00 – 19:00
Sunday & Public Holidays: 11:00 – 19:00
Monday: Closed
While not strictly a zero waste store, Lush does offer a number of naked beauty, bath and shower products and their flagship ‘Naked’ store in Asia is located in Causeway Bay. The plastic encasing some of the products is recycled and the store itself has a recycling policy, where if you return five cleaned Lush pots/bottles, you will receive a free face mask.
Location and hours:
Numerous locations throughout Hong Kong.
