Although I always wanted to buy as much as I could zero-waste, I thought that buying my groceries without packaging would be too expensive and too inconvenient. However, now that I'm working, I realised I have no excuse but to start shopping more sustainably. So I have begun exploring the zero-waste shops of Brussels, buying dried foods, like pasta and rice, cleaning supplies, and some toiletries without packaging.
By buying as much as you can zero-waste and supporting sustainable businesses, you can reduce your impact on the environment in three ways. First, you reduce the amount of waste which ends up in landfills, incineration, or our oceans. Second, by reducing our consumption of materials, we preserve resources including energy, water, and other raw materials. Finally, you also decrease pollution from the manufacturing, transportation, and disposal of packaging. All of this actively reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Annoyingly, searching “zero waste” on Google Maps doesn’t give you many results, even though Brussels is full of great zero-waste shops. That’s why I decided to write this article listing some of my favourite zero-waste shops in Brussels. I have also taken note of the prices of some common products and compared them with the equivalent (bio, where possible) products you can find in Carrefour and Delhaize.
1) Brüt by Färm
Färm is a chain of bio shops which you can find all over Brussels. Personally, I tend to frequent the Brüt by Färm store in Etterbeek, since it’s just a 10-minute walk from my office. There is a huge selection of bio vegetables, fresh baked goods, and loose dried food. A highlight for me is that you can grind your own coffee beans for however you make your coffee (be it in a Nespresso machine, cafetiere, moka pot…) and pour them straight into your own container. They also have a selection of loose-leaf teas, which is a particular win for me, as I am fed up of buying tea bags being individually wrapped in paper sachets.
2) Vrak
For the Auderghem-bound, I recommend a trip to Vrak. Although a bit out of the way for me, I enjoy the walk there through the Woluwe Park and along the Voie Verte.
Vrak is a very well-stocked independent zero-waste shop. You can buy everything from rice, to dried fruits and even chocolate. They also have some items I haven’t seen in other shops, including zero-waste shower gel, noodles, and bulgur wheat. Vrak also has the benefit of being very fairly priced. If you want to top up your groceries afterwards, Vrak is conveniently located by Auderghem-Shopping and the Barn Bio Market.
3) Bio Marché
If you ever find yourself in La Chasse, a trip to Bio Marché is always a good idea. They have a good offer of zero-waste dried food and cleaning products, plus a nice bio section. You can buy olive oil and loose spices here, which can be hard to find in other independent zero-waste shops. They also offer generous “Too Good To Go” packages - when I went, I received more vegetables than I knew what to do with, some wraps, milk, and one of those fancy juices in a glass bottle.
4) Sequoia
Right next to my favourite cafe in Brussels (Mir Concept Coffee Store), you’ll find Sequoia. Whilst more of a bio than a zero-waste shop, Sequoia does offer a few products without packaging. They also have an amazing selection of Yogi teas and fresh produce. I was particularly excited to find vegan marshmallows here, which I have been trying to track down for quite some time. Sequoia is also near a large Colruyt, so you can easily integrate a visit into a larger food shop.
5) Yuman Village
I often find myself at Yuman Village in Etterbeek, but you can also visit the larger Yuman store in 1060 Brussels. Yuman is an absolutely gorgeous shop. Whilst they don’t sell food, you can buy all your toiletries and cleaning supplies there. On top of that, they sell sustainable kitchen supplies, including chopping boards made of recycled plastic, organic cotton tea towels, and glasses made of reused wine bottles. You can also buy clothes, household linen, plants, seed-mat greetings cards, and beautiful candles. It’s really enjoyable just to stop by and wander around the shop.
I would also like to give a little shout-out to Krieke-Biche, an online zero-waste shop. The owner makes a lot of products by hand, including reusable make-up wipes, cloths, and food wrap. I was also really happy to find reusable coffee pods on her website. There are often sales as well, so if you are looking for a bargain, Krieke-Biche is the store for you.
As I hope I have shown, you can find a zero-waste shop to meet your needs wherever you are in Brussels. Buying products without packaging does not have to be an inconvenient or even expensive choice, you can often find products for cheaper or around the same price as you would in the supermarket. There's no time like the present to embrace zero waste.