Single-use plastic items made a comeback during the pandemic. You probably noticed most pastries plastic-wrapped in the bread section of your supermarket. Or that your favorite coffee place now refuses to fill up your reusable cup. So, are single-use items in grocery stores really safer to buy during a pandemic?
This crisis was unprecedented and it was hard for everyone to know what measures to take. Food providers have a big responsibility for their customers’ health and that’s probably why most of them opted for what seemed to be the safest option: single-use plastic packaging.
But a couple of month after the virus outbreak, more studies were conducted and over 125 health experts from 19 countries signed a statement reassuring the public and companies about reusables: “Disposable products are not inherently safer than reusables and that reusable systems can be utilized safely during the pandemic by employing basic hygiene.”
While it’s important to take hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the virus, it’s possible to also protect the environment at the same time.
Experts remind us that there will be more plastic in the ocean than there are fish by 2050. Almost half of the plastic worldwide is produced for single-use packaging. That’s why more and more eco-minded people are looking for safe alternative solutions to plastic-free grocery shopping.
In Vilnius, “Alpana Unpacked” was the first package-free food store. The owner, Ana Gezer, explains the hygiene measures they’ve taken since the pandemic: “We make sure to disinfect our food dispenser each time we refill them. For the customers, we provide a hand sanitizer before they fill in their containers.”
But where to find package-free shops in Lithuania? It’s not that easy. That’s why Gerome Drypond, a Belgian expat and sustainability influencer, decided to make a list of all the eco-friendly shops in Lithuania during the lockdown.
“When I moved to Vilnius last year, I struggled to find shops that were selling food without packaging. So, I created a simple list that I shared in Facebook groups and I received a lot of positive reactions,” says Gerome. “So, I thought it was worth developing a website where everyone can find eco-friendly stores more easily.”
Zerowasteshops.lt has listed more than 30 places in Lithuania where you can easily buy package-free food. The list includes bulk stores, outdoor and indoor markets, bakeries, and local farmers who deliver at home.
The website is very easy to use. All you need to do is type your address into the search bar and find the nearest shops around you. It’s also possible to search for shops by specific items like “pasta” or “olive oil.”
Doing eco-friendly grocery shopping requires a bit of preparation. “Before going to the shop, I usually make a list of what I need. Then I take a backpack, reusable bags, a few mason jars and I’m ready to go!” Gerome explains.
Reducing plastic waste doesn’t only happen in the kitchen. Many plastic-free and reusable alternatives exist for household products, body hygiene, and cosmetics. Several zero waste shops like Resetshop.lt are also listed. They offer bamboo toothbrushes, reusable cotton buds, wooden brushes, shampoo, deodorant, etc.
“Since the launch in January, we collected more than 5000 new visitors and hundreds of visits for each shop. For now, the website is only in English but I plan to translate it in Lithuanian before the end of the year,” the founder announces.
If you have a business that aims to reduce waste or follows the circular economy model, you are more than welcome to place your shop to the platform.
What is zerowasteshops.lt? It’s the first online listing of all the zero waste shops in Lithuania. Our dedication is to make sustainable choices more accessible and more visibile to everyone. By supporting local and eco-minded businesses, we aspire them to keep improving and innovating into sustainable solutions.
