These days, more and more no-waste bulk stores are popping up in major cities across Indonesia. It’s kind of a no-brainer, really, when you consider the fact that this Southeast Asian country is the world’s second-largest producer of plastic marine waste. In addition, the majority of that comes from the staggering 9.8 billion plastic bags that the country is estimated to use annually.
Keeping in line with its mission to reduce plastic waste, Zero Waste Bali officially opened its fourth store on the island earlier this month, bringing in a do-it-yourself station for customers to make their own products, as well as introducing their brand new refill service.
Launched just about a year ago, Zero Waste Bali claims to have been the first of its kind in the archipelago. The store’s founder, Silvija Rumiha, told Coconuts Bali that she had been encouraged to take on the task after seeing so much plastic in the seas during a family snorkeling trip.
“We saw the amount of plastic in the ocean, and being a mom with two kids – I know I needed to do something. You know, to protect their future and for them to actually have a future,” Rumiha said.
At Zero Waste Bali, customers can purchase organic and non-organic food products, as well as eco-friendly goods – all unpackaged and therefore plastic-free. The store carries over 400 products, including an extensive variety of pantry staples like legumes, flour, pasta and dried fruits to home lifestyle goods like essential oils and cleaning products.
There are superfoods, too, such as coconut flakes and spirulina (ranging from IDR 9,240/USD 0.65 per 100 grams), and gluten-free options like red sorghum flour and desiccated coconut (starting at IDR 5,600/USD 0.39 per 100 grams).
Meanwhile, their eco-friendly products include a variety of bottles and jars to fit your kitchen or toiletry needs, as well as beeswax wraps (IDR 198,000), bamboo cotton buds (IDR 20,000), and net bags for groceries (IDR 74,800).
The DIY station at the new Canggu shop is pretty cool, too — here, customers can make their own soaps and lotions, with items that are available for purchase in the store. While Zero Waste Bali has other locations in Kerobokan, Ubud and Uluwatu, this is apparently their first in-store DIY station.
In conjunction with its first anniversary this month, Zero Waste Bali has also introduced a new refill service at the Canggu store, allowing customers to have their items restocked through online orders. It adds that extra convenience, as customers need only send their containers, have it refilled, and delivered back to their homes (customers pay for their own delivery to and from, though). For the time being, the refill service only covers Canggu, Kerobokan, Umalas, Berawa, Pererenan, Echo Beach and Seminyak area.
Rumiha said Zero Waste Bali has seen more and more customers since it was launched last year, illustrating a growing awareness and appreciation for a greener lifestyle. She added that the store has seen an 88-percent increase in customers shopping zero waste in the past six months.
“We’re always going to have some sort of waste, but being mindful about the things that we consume will definitely have a difference on the environment,” Rumiha said.
FIND IT:
Zero Waste Bali, Canggu is at Jl. Subak Sari 13 No. 8, Berawa
Open Mon-Thurs, 9am-6pm, Fri-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm
Phone: (+62) 878 6230 5959
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