Best Bulk Food Shops And Zero Waste Shops In London
There is a good reason to explore zero waste and bulk food shops: they can help reduce unnecessary packaging. So many people are now looking for more sustainable ways of living and trying to find little ways to make a difference. People are beginning to play their own part in the war against plastic and fighting for a cleaner environment. These zero waste and bulk food shops greatly help in cutting down unnecessary packaging and can really help make a difference when we need it most. At Friendly Turtle, we offer on-the-go essentials.
Our range also includes natural beauty products, while the shops below focus on food and household refills.
Just in case you’re not familiar with what zero waste and bulk food shops are all about, they sell fresh products, dry goods and liquids without packaging in boxes or plastic. They usually have glass-like dispensers filled with lovely goodies which you dispense yourself into your own bags and containers. Simply bring your own packaging with you and refill whatever you want each week!
Best Zero Waste Shops In London
This guide was first published in May 2019 and contains seven London entries plus one bonus shop in Devon. Reviewed on 27 September 2026, it now distinguishes historical listings from information confirmed on the businesses' websites. Check opening hours, refill availability and collection arrangements before travelling.
Hetu
Hetu was set up in 2017 by Laura and was one of the early vegan zero waste shops featured in our London guide. It offered bulk foods and reusable items with less packaging. The founder now confirms that the shop has permanently closed. This entry remains as part of the original article, not as a current shopping recommendation.
Former location: 201 St Johns Hill, London SW11 1TH — closed.
www.hetu.co.uk
Earth Natural Foods
Earth Natural Foods is another great bulk food shop in North London with a huge variety on offer. Their independent food store serves up a whole variety of vegetarian wholefoods, organic, vegan, fair trade, gluten-free, wheat-free and biodynamic foods (sounds great right!). The range includes toiletries and household goods; ask the shop which personal-care and cleaning refills are currently available. They really have a stunning range, from freshly baked bread, cakes and pastries, to artisan cheeses and homemade takeaways. It's a superstore for all things kind and lovely, and you have to see it for yourself.
Location confirmed on the business website: 200–202 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2AE.
www.earthnaturalfoods.co.uk/
Unpackaged At Planet Organic
The original guide featured Unpackaged at Planet Organic for buying groceries with less packaging. Planet Organic still lists London stores, but the current availability of the specific Unpackaged service was not confirmed in this review. Check directly with the branch before making a journey for refills.
Original 2019 locations listed: Muswell Hill, Torrington Place, Westbourne Grove and Islington. These are historical service locations, not a verified current refill list.
www.planetorganic.com/unpackaged-at-planet-organic/
The Source Bulk Foods
This bulk food business began in Australia and was included in our original London guide. Its UK website continues to offer bulk foods and information on delivery and click-and-collect. With a beautiful store, Patrick and Makayla are trying their best to encourage package-free products, providing organic products like cooking oils, snacks, personal products, coffee, dried fruit, herbs, spices, and many more. Their major concern is fighting against waste caused by unnecessary packaging and so far, they’ve done a pretty good job. They also have an incredible website which tells you nutritional values of just about everything that they sell in their zero waste store- definitely worth a look.
Location in the original guide: 99 St John’s Road, Battersea SW11 1QY. Confirm the current branch address and opening hours directly before visiting.
thesourcebulkfoods.co.uk/
Naked Larder
Naked Larder was set up to reduce packaging by buying dry goods and cleaning products in bulk. Its current website describes an order-ahead model: customers order online and collect using their own reusable containers. Check the relevant location for ordering and collection dates rather than treating it as an unrestricted walk-in shop.
Herne Hill: follow the current location and collection instructions on Naked Larder’s website; arrangements may differ from the original 2019 listing.
www.nakedlarder.co.uk/
Harmless
Harmless was included in the original guide as a vegan bulk-food shop offering groceries and cleaning refills. We could not verify a current trading address or opening arrangements from its website during this review. Retain this as a historical listing and confirm directly before travelling.
Historical 2019 location: Blue House Yard, 5 River Park Road, Wood Green, London N22 7TB. Current location not verified.
www.harmlessstore.co.uk/
Get Loose
Get Loose Foods offers fresh and dried organic produce, unpackaged, such as grains, cereals, dried fruits, nuts, cheeses and many more. All their organic foods are available without the need to dispose of packaging thereby encouraging recycling and discouraging waste. The care for the planet and humanity has inspired this zero shop to keep producing fresh and dry foods at very reasonable prices. They are based in the heart of Hackney City Farm and have ample bicycle parking for all your needs!
Location: 1a Goldsmith’s Row. London E2 8QA
www.getloosefoods.com/
Worth Mentioning Outside Of London
Earth. Food. Love
Earth Food Love was set up by Nicola and Richard in 2017 and it was purely established to encourage people to eat healthily and still take care of the environment. The first thing to love about this zero shop is the fact that they are willing to share information on how to start up a new bulk food shop in London. Earth Food Love has more than enough organic products to choose from including pulses, cereals, grains, dried fruits and spices, flour, and so on. Its focus is reducing packaging through organic, plant-based bulk foods; less packaging alone does not establish a health benefit.
Location listed on its website: 101 High Street, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5PF — outside London.
thezerowasteshop.co.uk/
These entries show how refill shops and collection schemes can reduce unnecessary packaging, but the choice of local services changes over time. Compare current stock, prices and travel needs, and buy quantities you will use. Our guide to avoiding single-use plastic offers more everyday ideas.
The US Environmental Protection Agency includes buying suitable bulk goods and reusing containers among ways to reduce packaging waste.
When bringing containers, follow Food Standards Agency guidance on preventing cross-contamination: use suitable, clean containers and keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat food.
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