By Michael Smith (Veshengro)
Here in Britain, in London, we have had a wonderful shop called “Unpackaged” for around 5 years now. It is a brilliant place to buy your food without all the unnecessary wrappings and cartons and packaging; very much like it used to be in the old days and even still in the days of my childhood.
While some stuff already, such as breakfast cereals, of the Kellogs' corn flakes and such, came in cardboard packages, a lot of other stuff, such as dried goods, tea, and even milk, was bought “loose”.
“Unpackaged” is a little like that in that you pop along with your old jam jars, Tupperware, paper bags, shampoo bottles and even hot water bottles and fill them up with flour, raisins, pasta and well...anything that you want from the store.
If I am not mistaken there also was a similar store some while back on Borough Market but I have mislaid, so to speak, the information and it does not appear to be traceable as to whether and whatever.
Finally America is now following suit and the first packaging-free, waste-free store called “in.gredients” of the new era will open in Autumn in Austin, Texas. They will work with local businesses and farmers to encourage its shoppers to adopt the reduce, reuse and then recycle way of life.
The GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW wishes the “in.gredients” store and operators the very best of luck and we hope to hear lots more about them when they open.
© 2011
