By: Brianna Reynolds
The George Washington University’s (GW) latest progress in sustainability is their commitment to eliminate single-use plastics. This is one way that GW is embedding sustainability into the culture at GW. A single-use plastic policy is a necessary step towards zero waste and circularity. Eliminating single-use plastic at GW includes vending, events, dining, departmental purchases and retail partners. To learn more about this commitment, click here.
It’s so important for large institutions to address climate change, specifically plastic pollution, because they are often the greatest contributors to environmental destruction. Plastic is indestructible, which means that it does not biodegrade (anytime soon) and cycle back into Earth’s natural systems. Plastic waste accumulates in landfills, oceans, the side of the highway, and even in our bodies. The impact of single-use plastic is significant because of its frequent consumption and short average lifespan, or time of use, of only 12 minutes.
More and more consumers are demanding sustainability, ethics, and less plastic. One way to demand change is to vote with your dollar, whether it be purchasing cruelty-free makeup, supporting Black-owned businesses, or buying local produce. Where your money goes matters. This flow of capital will bring wealth into underrepresented communities and limit suffering to animals and the planet.
To build on GW’s progress towards zero waste, let’s look at stores that will help us, the individual, on our own journeys toward less plastic use and healthy choices.
Here are several low waste, sustainability-focused shops across the United States for your sustainable, low-waste needs:
- Mason & Greens (Alexandria, Virginia)
Vegan and gluten free options, 100% palm oil free, BYOJ (bring your own jars + containers)
Mason & Greens is the DC area’s first zero waste shop of its kind! Mason & Greens provides sustainable dry goods and groceries. This shop has curated some of the most sustainable products on the market-- anywhere from bulk hand soap to natural deodorants to vegan baked goods. Mason & Greens welcomes you to bring your own containers to fill up on all the goodies and essentials. They are about building a sustainable model for the future that has your health and the planet’s health at the forefront.
- Package Free Shop (New York, New York)
Accessibility, zero waste, inclusivity
Package Free Shop’s mission is to make the world less trashy by providing you with sustainable swaps for your everyday needs. Package Free is an ecosystem of brands that make natural and package/plastic free products. This is your one-stop shop for everything you may need to reduce your waste. They offer plastic free and carbon neutral shipping for all your online shopping. Package Free is built on the principles of accessibility, only buying what you need, and adding value through education. They measure positive environmental impact through how much trash has been diverted from landfills as a result of what they sell.
*Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Package Free NYC locations are currently closed. The online store is actively taking orders.
- Conscious Space (Fort Myers, Florida)
Local sourcing, apothecary, community building
Conscious Space is a zero waste and apothecary shop in Southwest Florida where you can explore bulk herbs, soaps, teas, essential oils, and more. Conscious Space sources ⅔ of their products from local makers! This is a small, woman-owned business that is committed to supporting BIPOC communities. They have a wide range of herbal products, zero waste essentials, and personal care goodies.
- ANIMALIA (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Passion, quality, character
ANIMALIA is a zero waste shop focusing on consumer consciousness and a slower, more mindful purchasing model. ANIMALIA offers a bulk refill dispensary and food waste collection. The founder of ANIMALIA desired to find goods made by artisans not machines, with care and joy not mass produced. The shop has curated products that are small-batch, fair trade, and thoughtful. This is a place where you can reconnect to humanness and the human behind each product.
- Dry Goods Refillery (Maplewood, New Jersey)
Sustainable grocer, repurpose, package free
Dry Goods Refillery is New Jersey’s first zero waste store. Dry Goods Refillery’s mission is to bring back how grocery shopping used to be-- less waste, organic, and local. They carry all kinds of food for your zero waste pantry from spices to beans to flour. Their website features some recipes using products from the store! Dry Good Refillery partners with local businesses as much as possible and strives to have a truly circular refill system.
- The Nada Shop (Encinitas, California)
Sustainability, simple, refillable
The Nada Shop is a zero waste store in Southern California offering refillable, natural household and body care products. The founder of The Nada Shop aims to make low waste living simple and easy for consumers. This shop has non-toxic skin care oils, soaps, hair care, and more. The Nada Shop is woman-owned!
- We Fill Good (Kittery, Maine)
Responsible, empowerment, reduce
We Fill Good is a one stop shop for affordable and local products aligned with low waste and eco-friendly practices. We Fill Good is dedicated to finding and providing alternatives to plastic use. All of their products/partners include at least two of their values: Certified Organic, family business, Bcorp, hand made, small business, upcycle, socially responsible, woman owned, fairtrade, cruelty free, made in the USA, and recycled material.
Cheers to progress!
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