Hong Kong is a dazzling city, but there’s a darker side to the glitz and glamour that can often encourage overconsumption. In a perfect world, simply buying less would curb the issue but it’s hard to avoid stocking up on daily essentials like pantry items and toilet paper.
Luckily, there are plenty of shops in Hong Kong that give us a more sustainable option. Here are eight zero waste stores in Hong Kong we love:
Live Zero
We can’t talk about adopting a zero-waste lifestyle without mentioning its flagship purveyor, Live Zero! With depots in Sai Ying Pun and Sai Kung, Live Zero has been heralded as Hong Kong’s first zero-waste grocery store, encouraging everyone to uproot their wasteful habits.
At Live Zero, you can find everything from bulk groceries to the trendiest reusable water bottle but you would be most remiss if you did not try the Pineapple & Thyme kombucha they have on tap in stores. It’s BYOB, of course so don’t forget to bring a mason jar or water bottle!
Live Zero, 33 High Street, Sai Ying Pun & 22 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung
See also: 8 simple swaps for single-use plastics
Slowood
The name is in the game with Slowood, whose ethos maintains a ‘go with the slow’ lifestyle. Touting a curation of handpicked health items from places like the Netherlands or New Zealand, Slowood champions plastic-free consumerism. A visit to one of its three locations across the city will most definitely spur up feelings of hygge. To bring a bit of Slowood home, pick up a Bamboo Bergamot reed Diffuser by Dani Naturals – a refreshing blend of cucumber, bergamot and melon that infuses a spa-like sense in your home space.
Slowood, Shop 1 G/F at The Hudson, Kennedy Town;Shop 151, 1/F at DB Plaza, Discovery Bay or Shop 247, Level 2 at New Town Plaza I, Shatin
Edgar
Find Edgar in the vibrantly modern Star Street District in Wan Chai. The sustainable store fits right at home among other lifestyle concept stores in the neighbourhood such as Kapok and the Monocle Store but Edgar stands out for it’s worldly selection of zero-waste goods. Despite travel being up in the air, transport yourself worlds away at Edgar while you peruse their international selection of natural, organic and fair trade products – all transported in bulk to minimise carbon footprint.
Edgar, 5 Moon Street on StarStreet Precinct, Wan Chai
See also: Is All Plastic Evil?
The Bulk Shop By Margella
Built for the purpose of community, the Bulk Shop was founded by two friends Margot and Ella in hopes of making zero-waste living accessible to local Tai Po residents. They offer a wide range of home goods and daily necessities like spices, grains and shampoo bars but while their selection is diverse as ever, The Bulk Shop is best known for selling a handmade sourdough bread that is simply to-die for.
The Bulk Shop By Margella, 25-28B, 2/F Jade Plaza in Tai Po
Seed
Seed is a boutique grocery store in Sai Kung, where you can find zero-waste alternatives to everyday items once thought irreplaceable. Tucked away, Seed is an undiscovered gem but the bulk food store carries everything you need to make small, meaningful changes to your lifestyle. While you are here, pick up some of the store’s homemade antibacterial handwash or sunscreen.
Seed, 29 Sai Kung Yee Kuk St, Sai Kung
See also: How do they make bags out of recycled plastic anyway?
Beyond Plastic
Like the name may suggest, Beyond Plastic started out in 2019 as a way to source plastic-free alternatives to everyday utensils and cutleries as a means of cleaning up Hong Kong’s often littered beaches. With both retail and online presence, Beyond Plastic sells a myriad of biodegradable, compostable and ecological household product, working as well with businesses to supply biodegradable takeaway boxes.
Beyond Plastic, Unit 1, 3/F Oceanic Industrial Centre, 2 Lee Lok Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong
Bamboa
Selling a range of sustainable goods from bedding to homeware and apparel, Bamboa manufactures it’s eco-friendly products using 100% bamboo fibres – of which some are even grown by the brand itself! Founded by Julia Washborne, Bamboa began as a way of addressing the many ugly truths Washborne witnessed about waste and pollution in her old job. Having now switched over to helming Bamboa, the environmentalist even insists on growing bamboo as a way of ensuring its highest quality.
Bamboa can be found online at bamboahome.com or at physical stores such as Flex Studio or Culture Cove.
Ecostore
Look to Ecostore for a full range of accessible eco-friendly household supplies. From laundry to skin and oral care, all Ecostore products start with one precautionary principle to be transparent about the ingredients that go into their products. Ensuring that all their products are safe and effective, Ecostore enlists the EWG Skin Deep® Cosmetic Database to help their products reach the highest health standard. Additionally, the brand has set refill stations across Hong Kong to minimise packaging waste.
Learn more at ecostore.hk
See also: 8 Sustainable Stationery Picks To Ace The School Year
