Doing groceries in a supermarket is tricky during the lockdown. Lines appear in front of the stores and staying in an overflowing area is not recommended.
Fortunately, alternative food shops like indoor markets, local stores, and zero waste shops are still open during the quarantine. These overlooked stores are not crowded, there is plenty of fresh and organic food, and it’s possible to shop without packaging.
Where to find these stores? It’s not that easy. That’s why, Gerome Drypond, a Belgian expat and a sustainability influencer, decided to reference the zero waste shops that are open during the lockdown.
“I started the project when I moved to Vilnius. I realized that it was not easy to find shops selling food without packaging.”, says Gerome. “When the pandemic emerged and I saw people rushing and hoarding at the supermarkets, I thought it was useful to remind that food was also available in these alternative stores and that they were still open”
Zerowasteshops.lt is very easy to use. When the website is open, there is a field to choose the category #OpenForCorona. Then, the shops availble will a appear on the map. It’s also possible to search for shops by food or by zero waste products like reusable bags, bamboo toothbrushes, hygiene products, and cosmetics.
“Currently, only the shops in Vilnius are visible. But I plan to expand the map to more cities in Lithuania”, adds the founder. “Later, the website will be translated in Lithuanian”
If there is no zero waste shop around, there are also local farmers who sell their products online. Fresh food like veggies, fruits, bread or cheese can be delivered at home.
Zero waste shops offer food without packaging to solve the waste crisis that our planet earth is facing. That’s why customers are invited to take their reusable bags or glass jars to pack pasta, rice, buckwheat, nuts, but also fresh veggies and fruits.
But is it safe to shop with reusable bags? Absolutely! As long as the containers are washed or disinfected in between uses.
Shopping zero waste is not the only way to be eco-friendly. We can make sustainable choices and form eco habits in many other ways. Having more time at home during the quarantine is an excellent opportunity to rethink our lifestyle and experience new sustainable habits.
