Zero Waste Shopping in Los Angeles
Zero waste shopping is the art of collecting goods in reusable containers without any new plastic or packaging. We call this an art form because, honestly, when you're first learning where to purchase things in bulk, you feel like it should be a profession. But once you get it, oh, you got it.
We spent hours, days, and many drives around LA looking for the things we needed. Pasta, shampoo, coconut oil, bread, baking soda, we've been on the hunt, and now we're here to help you save time.
The thing that keeps us from committing to a less waste lifestyle is a fear of change. Even if we know it's something good for us and the planet, it can be overwhelming, but if you're ready to commit to zero waste, you have to go for it. Look online, visit stores, try products, mess up, forget your containers; it's all a part of the process. But hey, we're here to help! Our goal is to help the planet, and we can only help mother earth if we help others improve their habits.
So, Los Angeles, we got you. Where you need to shop for all things bulk, the comprehensive guide below.
Read our Zero Waste: Goals for 2019 for tips before hitting the grocery store.
Enjoy Eco Gang Gang!
**hit command (F) on your mac to find the exact thing you're looking for
Tare Grocery (Highland Park)
5046 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
The newest player on the scene, the store who has it all! You think it. Tare Grocery is carrying it. You can even shop their entire store online if you want to plan your trip ahead of time. For my plant-based readers, Tare is currently carrying vegan Follow Your Heart cheese and mayo. But it doesn't stop there; they're also selling Tofutti sour cream, Earth Balance butter, Plant Ranch (Cena) vegan meats, and tofu.
Other items include but are not limited to:
Bath & Body Products • Oils & Vinegars • All Purpose Cleaner • Dish Soap • Castile Soaps • Nuts & Seeds • Quinoa • Pasta • Coffee & Teas • Agave • Superfoods • Toothbrushes • Legumes • Dehydrated Foods • Dried Fruit • Cereal • Snacks • Herbs & Spices • Candy & Chocolate • Flours & Baking Products • Reusables • Sourdough Bread
Naked Frankie (Refill Delivery)
Los Angeles area
A personal favorite here at PLANT LIKE THINGS. This mobile delivery service takes sanitization seriously. Sanitizing bottles sounds super easy, but how can you ensure your bottles are squeaky clean just by cleaning them with soap and water? All Naked Frankie products come in refillable bottles that are used forever. You order, and they deliver straight to your door. Once your bottles are empty, Naked Frankie will pick everything up to be cleansed and sanitized so it can be used again.
Bath & body essentials with the hopes to expand their product line in the coming year.
Wild Terra (Highland Park)
5858 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Teas, herbs, and spices galore! Wild Terra has beautiful, high-quality bulk organic, wildcrafted medicinal herbs for every need in your life. This store has been a godsend for me. You can also find fair trade gifts, tea accessories, books, housemade tinctures in glass, and Wild Terra hosts classes and workshops. Their staff is educated and friendly, and it's always a pleasure to stop into their fantastic store.
Cleaning Products • Body Oils • Dish Soap • Sprouting Lentils & Seeds • Coffee & Teas • Maple Syrup • Superfoods • Toothbrushes • Spices • Medicinal Herbs • Teas • Dried Fruit • Reusables • Books • Less Waste Gifts •
Sustain LA (Highland Park)
5214 Monte Vista Street, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Of course, I am all about honesty. Sustain LA is truly an OG in the refill space in Los Angeles, and I used to love everything they carried. But once refill grew in popularity and I started having more options, I realized that I wasn't the biggest fan of their bath and body products. I don't say this to be a "hater" I include this because I think Sustain LA could do better. Their shampoo and conditioner are lacking, and their prices on certain items seem a bit steep. I encourage you to visit their store and create your own opinion of course. Located in Highland Park, which now feels like the new refill mecca of LA.
Shampoo • Conditioner • Body Lotion • Shower Gel • Hand Soap • Toothpaste • Jojoba Oil • Deodorant • All Purpose Cleaner • Dish Soap • Castile Soaps • Epson Salt • Shea Butter • Borax • White Distilled Vinegar • Laundry Detergent • Straws • Toothbrushes • Produce Bags • Razors • Bentonite Clay • Arrowroot Powder • Floss •
Refillery Los Angeles (Mobile Refill Store)
Serving West LA
The Refillery L.A. from Kelly Murphy on Vimeo.
I have yet to use this service because I don't live in West LA, but this mobile refill van will fill up if you leave your clean containers at your doorstep or you can go out to the van and browse and fill up yourself!
Baby Products • Cleaning • Home Goods • Laundry • Personal Care • Pet Products •
Lassens (due to pandemic this is no longer an option)
1631 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Bulk Spices (cinnamon, dill seeds, turmeric, cumin, mustard seeds, cayenne, garlic powder, oregano, paprika • Nuts • Variety of Rice (brown, wild, white) • Pasta • Variety of Grains • Nutritional Yeast • Granola • Cereal • Chocolate Chips • Dried Fruit • Flour • Variety of Mushrooms (button, shiitake, portobello, oyster) • Limited Selection of Greens (romaine lettuce, kale, collards, chard) • Loose Onions • Loose Garlic • Green Beans • Tomatoes • Fresh Turmeric • Fresh Ginger •
Co-opportunity Market & Deli Culver City
(due to pandemic this is no longer an option)
8770 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
Loose Arugula • Loose Spinach • Bulk Spices (cinnamon, dill seeds, turmeric, cumin, mustard seeds, cayenne, garlic powder, oregano, paprika) • Nuts • Variety of Rice (brown, wild, white) • Variety of Grains • Nutritional Yeast • Granola • Cereal • Dried Fruit • Flour • Variety of Mushrooms (button, shiitake, portobello, oyster) • Greens (romaine lettuce, kale, collards, chard) • Loose Onions • Loose Garlic • Green Beans • Tomatoes • Peanut Butter • Almond Butter • Cashew Butter •
No Tox Life (closed due to the pandemic)
3351 Fletcher Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Shea Butter Cubes • Distilled White Vinegar • Aloe Cream • Baking Soda • Coconut Oil (for external use) • Witch Hazel • Arrowroot Powder • Jojoba Oil • Cocoa Butter • Beet Root Powder • Superfine Pumice • Candelilla Wax • Dried Herbs (for external use) (yarrow, lavender buds, orange peel, calendula) • Loose Garlic • Natural Clays (rhassoul, white kaolin, rose kaolin, bentonite) • Shampoo • Conditioner • Shower Gel • Hand Soap • Olive Oil (external use only) • Dish Soap • Castile Soaps • Shea Butter • White Distilled Vinegar • Laundry Detergent • Body Lotion • Facial Cleanser • Facial Sunscreen • Facial Moisturizer • Body & Hair Oil • Facial Serum • Soap Pieces •
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