The Normalization of Zero Waste Grocery Stores

Zero Waste Bulk is a grocery store in Waterloo, Ontario that focuses on locally sourced, plastic-free, vegan, and organic products. This store is an example of how business can successfully operate in tandem with environmentalism. Founded by two University of Waterloo alumni, this small business also showcases the incredible sustainability leaders from this institution.

Owner Ellin Park founded the Zero Waste Bulk in 2016. She and Co-founder Cassandra Choi, had an initial vision to merely fulfill their own needs of a convenient one-stop shop for all their sustainable groceries. After opening Zero Waste Bulk in 2018, their vision became more far reaching in her community than they could have imagined.

In less than two years of operation, Zero Waste Bulk has been featured numerous times in the local media. Some of the stories that capitalized on their success were published by Waterloo Chronicle, UW Imprint, The Record and Sustainable Waterloo Region. The store earned its coveted status as one of the local go-to green businesses due to their unique initiatives.

While using your own container from home is unwelcome for many traditional grocers, Zero Waste Bulk encourages a bring your own container system to avoid unnecessary waste. Additionally, the store does not dismiss the waste from their supplier shipping and handling. In fact, they try to source their products from close suppliers in reusable receptacles whenever possible. Besides these unconventional procedures, in 2020, Zero Waste Bulk also hosted Waterloo Region’s first ever community fridge for a period. In this way, Zero Waste Bulk’s support helped garner local buzz for the pilot initiative, with the community fridge moving to a new  location with around-the-clock access appearing shortly after. The purpose was to help to cut down on local food waste by having people with too much fresh items donate, so that those in need could take the food for free. Advocating for sustainability in a way that does not focus on more consumerism is a part of what makes the Zero Waste Bulk truly beloved in their community. They know what their values are and were even bold enough to speak about it as a new small business in one of their earlier blog posts titled How Not To Buy New Zero Waste Products.

The story of Zero Waste Bulk provides some inspiring lessons about sustainability and personal fulfillment. The founders demonstrate that environmental leadership can stem from simply exploring solutions to our own sustainability needs. It is entirely plausible that others desire a solution to our problems as well. In situations like these, we can share our findings to help each other move forward in the environmental movement.

Visit https://www.zerowastebulk.com/ to shop and learn more about their store!

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