 Plastic pollution, deforestation, climate change, oh my! All things we can no longer ignore if we want to protect our planet for future generations.
Now, San Francisco may have Rainbow Grocery for the ultimate zero waste shopping experience. It also has Credo Beauty for clean skincare with sustainable packaging. And let’s not forget all the second-hand stores. But the East Bay makes it just as easy to reduce your environmental footprint, if not easier! Let’s start with Harvest House in Concord, which rivals Rainbow Grocery. They stock over 700 items in bulk to make zero waste shopping a breeze. Just don’t forget to bring your reusable bags and containers! It’s easy to budget a Harvest House errand into your life...it’s across the street from Costco - which, of course, you’ll find yourself at periodically with a family of any size! Another popular spot for bulk bin shopping is Berkeley Bowl in, you guessed it, Berkeley. Plus, they also have a great selection of local produce and pantry staples as well as rare finds from all over the world. Not to be overshadowed by Berkeley Bowl (all though it often is), Monterey Market is also ‘worth the drive’ and not as congested as the Berkeley Bowl experience is sure to be. No time to drive to Berkeley? Contra Costa County boasts a Sprouts, which is a hybrid of a “farmer’s market” a grocery store and a bulk buy. A little more on the commercial side...it doesn’t scream “save the earth one grocery trip at a time” but, it’ll always do in a pinch. And guess what? Zero-waste shopping is even possible from the comfort of your own East Bay home. Fillgood is a zero-waste and plastic-free delivery service based out of Albany. Simply order online and pick-up from a local delivery hub. In Lafayette, the location is at a local family’s home in downtown. They sell refillable and sustainably packaged products for every room in the house as well as all members of the family, including your furry friends. We’re talking bamboo toothbrushes, refillable shampoo and laundry detergent, compostable dental floss, reusable containers, and so much more! Though it’s not local, a new favorite that deserves your perusal is Wisdom Supply Co. A few local moms have become passionate about encouraging parents to consider ordering school supplies and taking one more step towards sustainability. There’s also no shortage of second-hand stores in the East Bay for kids and adults. Toy Go Round in Albany sells gently used toys, books, and costumes to play dress-up. Thrift Stores can be found here and there and of course...another reference to the various “Buy Nothing” and second hand Facebook groups targeted locally. When it comes to clothing for teens and women, you’ve got to check out Rechic 101 in Orinda. The owner, a local Orinda mom, takes great pride in stocking the racks with the most fashionable and best condition clothing possible. Plus, the store is well-organized from top to bottom. It’s like shopping at a high-end boutique, but much more affordable and sustainable! And last, but certainly not least, there’s the Ecology Center in Berkeley. Not only do they offer education and community services, but their Eco Store has everything you could possibly need for sustainable living. We’re talking toys, personal care products, kitchen accessories, green gifts, and so much more! Plus, every product they sell must meet very stringent guidelines. From the packaging to the product materials to the treatment of laborers. No detail is overlooked so you can shop 100% guilt-free. And couldn’t we all use some peace of mind these days! So what do you say? Ready to make the move? For your family’s best future and the future of our planet!
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