If you don't grow your own food in the garden, but go to the supermarket instead, you'll find that packaging is everywhere. However, more and more consumers want to be able to do without it. Retailers see a niche here, but the major suppliers are also in the starting blocks when it comes to "unpackaged" products

If you don't grow your own food in the garden, but go to the supermarket instead, you'll find that packaging is everywhere. However, more and more consumers want to be able to do without it. Retailers see a niche here, but the major suppliers are also getting in on the act when it comes to "unpackaged".

The cherry tomatoes in the small cardboard box and the organic cucumber in a plastic sleeve. This is actually practical because it protects them from dirt and those consumers who like to touch everything and then don't buy it after all. However, the plastic film and small baskets use up valuable resources and have to be recycled. Swiss food retailers are now increasingly taking up the "unpackaged" theme.

What does a packaging-free store look like?
In stores that completely or largely do without packaging, it looks like a general store fifty years ago. Large containers for dry goods, barrels for liquid products and displays for fresh goods such as fruit and vegetables can be found everywhere. The containers are also made with sustainability in mind, which is why most of them are made of wood, glass or metal. In some stores, customers can use reusable containers for a deposit - or bring their own containers. Whether fabric bags or preserving jars, the container is first weighed empty and then filled - so you only pay for the amount you actually buy.

Do you know of any great stores that are packaging-free or take an innovative approach to the topic? Let us know in the comments below!

Who is taking part in packaging-free shopping in Switzerland?
Migros is one of the first wholesalers to set a good example with its "Zero Waste" campaign. Consumers can buy organic products at filling stations in selected stores and refill cleaning products in containers they have brought with them. This pays off - Migros saves thousands of tons of plastic waste from its own products.

Other packaging-free grocery stores are smaller or regional:

• Aarau is home to the Unverpackt cooperative.
• oba aba enables packaging-free shopping in Chur.
• The unpackaged store with bistro in Thun also impresses with its design.
• In French-speaking Switzerland, Atout Vrac is located in Fribourg
• And a whole range of stores all over Switzerland have Chez Mami.

Not entirely without packaging, but at least without plastic, is Natürlich unverpackt in Basel. Other providers that are encouraging people to try this new type of sustainable shopping are Bare Ware, Ohne.ch and "Pfünderli". The unpackaged stores not only sell food, but also cleaning products, other household supplies and drinks. If you don't have a bottle for the latter yet, take a look at our new TreeBottles Glass !

You can find another exciting article on the subject of packagingat here.