Unpackaged Eco Giving the Gift of Zero Waste Groceries This Christmas

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A local IGA has partnered with Unpackaged Eco to gift Melbournians zero waste groceries this Christmas!

Melbourne-based start-up Unpackaged Eco is launching a shop, refill, return grocery model with local supermarket Piedimonte's IGA to deliver Christmas essentials in smart, plastic-free packaging to customers' doorsteps.

A broad range of grocery products will be offered online in zero-waste, refillable or returnable packaging, including cleaning items like multi-purpose cleaner and dish liquid, pantry items such as snacks, baked goods such as biscuits, donuts, and muffins, bath and body products like hand wash and soap, deli items like olives, salads, and dips, and fresh produce.

Peruse all the zero waste groceries you can get delivered to your doorstep here.

How it works

Here’s how it works:

  • you order products online or shop for products with the U logo at a store near you and pay a small container deposit with the cost of the product,

  • once used, you take your empty container back to any of its locations and refill it in-store or leave them to be picked up with the next delivery, and

  • once done, you return your empty container to have your deposit refunded.

You can search its offerings via packaging end of life, which is either compost, keep, package free, or return, so you are completely aware of what your shopping will be arriving in. And containers’ QR code can be scanned to view how many times they have been re-used, enabling the company to collect useful data.

The online service kicked off on 30 November 2019 and is available at the following stores: McCoppins in Hawthorn, Piedimonte's Supermarket & Liquor in North Fitzroy, Perfect Pantry in Elsternwick and IGA Northcote.

From trial to implemented

Unpackaged Eco firstly trialled refill stations at several independent supermarkets in Melbourne’s inner north, with this online partnership an exciting next step in the start-up’s journey.

Founder, Irene Chen states: “The goal for us is to make waste-free shopping accessible to every household in Australia, so we are inviting national brands, retailers and consumers to join us in helping to make this incredible task possible. With Unpackaged Eco, consumers are no longer forced to throw away their plastic waste, instead they have a new way to shop waste-free and fuss-free.”

Unpackaged Eco has kindly given us a coupon code for unlimited free deliveries from 10 December to 4 January 2020 to share! Just use coupon code UPETRIAL50 at checkout.

NewsVicky EllmoreComment