Zero Waste Living in Berlin – Sustainable Lifestyle – Luxiders Guide
When it comes to environmental regulations, Germany is often considered to set a good example. With strict recycling rules, a bottle-return policy and “bring your own bag” initiatives, waste is clearly a priority. One of Germany’s most visited cities, Berlin, is among the most vegan-friendly cities in the world. The fast-evolving nature of the city has allowed for a huge growth in vegan cafes and restaurants as well as vegan products and fashion brands.
With the population’s increasing interest in veganism comes the inevitable realisation that veganism is more than just a plant-based diet and lifestyle. In fact, veganism is becoming more and more about sustainability, and not just in terms of what we consume but also what we produce.
As a population, we currently produce an excessive amount of waste that is causing severe and irreversible damage to our environment. Whilst plastic packaging and synthetic fibres are the worst offenders found throughout our natural ecosystems and predicted to remain in our environment for hundreds of years, excess amounts of paper and compostable packaging are also causing problems due to the energy and resources required for their production and disposal. Recognising this issue and aiming to promote mindful consumption and sustainable living are many small companies in Berlin, and larger German supermarket chains have also begun to make positive changes. These initiatives are exactly what is needed all over the world to promote the development of a circular economy.
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Original Unverpackt
Wiener Str. 16, Kreuzberg
The first zero waste store in Germany selling packaging-free products and items such as toothbrushes and razors made from sustainable materials. Bring your own jars, bags and bottles to fill up with household essentials ranging from pasta to washing up liquid.
Sir Plus
Schloβstr. 94, Charlottenburg; Tamara-Danz Str. 11, Friedrichshain; Karl-Marx Str. 108, Neukölln
Sir Plus rescues both fresh and packaged food products from being thrown away unnecessarily and gives them a second chance on their store’s shelves (at low prices!).
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Veganz
Warschauer Str. 33; Marheineplatz 15; Schivelbeiner Str. 34
A small chain of vegan supermarkets with a bulk-food section where you can buy packaging-free pantry items such as grains and nuts.
Der Sache Wegen
Lychener Str. 47, Prenzlauer Berg
An organic packaging-free mostly vegan grocery store that focuses on Fairtrade and regional produce.
LPG Naturkostladen, BioSphӓre (Neukölln), Bioase 44 (Neukölln), Dr Pogo Veganladen-Kollektiv (Neukölln)
Independent organic grocery stores that source sustainable produce and tend to have a section for packaging-free products.
Biocompany, Denn’s Biomarkt & Alnatura
Larger chains of organic supermarkets that source sustainable produce and tend to have a section for packaging-free products.
Palm Studio
Schliemannstr. 14A, Prenzlauer Berg
A beautiful palm tree decorated store with the ethos “Let’s refill not landfill” where you can buy organic cosmetics made from natural ingredients without the plastic packaging.
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If getting to these stores is difficult for you, don’t despair as there are plenty of other options; regular farmer’s markets take place in many different locations around Berlin to which you can bring your own bags to buy packaging-free produce. Particularly noteworthy is the Maybachufer Market (Maybachufer, Kreuzberg) which even has a stall selling fresh tahini, a sesame seed paste often used in Middle Eastern cuisine, that you can fill into your own jar. Alternatively, Die Dicke Linda Market (Kranoldplatz, Neukölln) is a much smaller Saturday market with a variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Other popular markets include Boxhagener Platz Market (Friedrichshain), Markthalle Neun (Kreuzberg) and Prinzessinengarten Market (Kreuzberg) which takes place by the Prinzessingarten urban garden that produces fresh food for the city.
Whilst plastic packaging and synthetic fibres are the worst offenders found throughout our natural ecosystems and predicted to remain in our environment for hundreds of years, excess amounts of paper and compostable packaging are also causing problems due to the energy and resources required for their production and disposal.
+ Words: Yasmin Razzaque
Yasmin Razzaque is a Biochemistry graduate with a keen interest in health and nutrition. She uses her scientific knowledge and ability to critically analyse research to write articles about healthy and sustainable eating and wellbeing.
Instagram: @yasminsophiya
Der Beitrag Zero Waste Living in Berlin erschien zuerst auf Sustainable Fashion – Eco Design – Healthy Lifestyle – Luxiders Magazine.
