Package-Free Shopping in Singapore

“You don’t have to do zero waste perfectly to make an impact”, Anne-Marie Bonneau

I’m often asked where I shop for package-free items in my home ever since my family and I started making efforts to reduce our household waste. Did you know that of the 1.6 million tonnes of domestic waste disposed of in 2018 in Singapore, one-third was made up of packaging? (Source: Towards Zero Waste Sg)

Most items we consume nowadays comes in packaging. This is either single-use (meaning once the item is used, the packaging is discarded) or can be recycled/repurposed. Recycling becomes challenging when these become contaminated with the item it once contained. Repurposing packaging although encouraged, results in too many containers one could possibly use.

The best way to manage the above challenges would be to avoid packaging wherever possible. We can do that by:

• Bringing our own containers, bags, cutlery/straw when we shop

• Choosing package-free options wherever possible

• Refusing non-essentials whether they’re packaged or not

For my essentials in the bathroom, kitchen and to make my own cleaning products (click here to grab a free download of my favourite cleaning recipes), I love supporting the following local brands here in Singapore (not sponsored) that are truly making sincere efforts in making sustainable changes. These efforts are repurposing packaging from customers, sourcing for ingredients locally, producing less waste, supporting local artisans, or contributing their profits to charitable causes.

Mentioned below are the staples I order from these companies. I hope the list is useful for you too!

Unpackt Singapore

(To access their Website, click here)

1. Kitchen

   • Oils (sesame & olive oils)

   • Powders (cocoa, maca root, paprika, black/white pepper, Italian seasoning, popcorn seasoning)

   • Seeds (chia, sunflower, pumpkin, flax)

   • Nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, pine)

   • Pasta (penne/fusilli and spaghetti)

   • Sauces & vinegar (soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, distilled white vinegar)

2. Cleaning

   • Baking soda

   • Washing soda

   • Sodium percarbonate

Trove of Gaia

(To access their Website, click here)

1. Kitchen

   • Bamboo charcoal stick (water filtering)

   • Loofah dish scrub pad

2. Bathroom

   • Lotion Bar

   • Bamboo cotton buds

   • Stainless steel razor (hands down, one of the best razors I’ve tried!)

The Period Co

(To access their Website, click here)

• Reusable Pads: I use the cotton pads by EcoFemme and have all three sizes which I use for different stages of my period

• Menstrual Cup: I personally love the Freedom cups in both sizes which I use depending on the stage in my cycle (The Period Co doesn’t stock this brand but they do have other options. They have a quiz to help you determine which cup might be suitable so do try that as well)

Wet Markets/Farmer’s Markets

• Biscuits: Most farmer’s markets here have biscuit stalls where you can refill your choice of biscuits. I like to stock up on the ones that have less sugar for my children’s school snack boxes.

• Nuts (cashews, peanuts): Nuts are a staple in my home not only for Indian cooking but also to make fresh nut butter.

• Noodles & tofu: Depending on your local market, look for stalls that sell fresh noodles and tofu that are package-free. I find joy in supporting local businesses that encourage customers to bring their own containers to pack food.

• Fresh produce: As a vegetarian family, we have a relatively large list on our weekly shopping list for fresh produce. I try my best to look for stalls that have package-free options for fruits & vegetables. For those that I don’t have a choice (like leafy greens & French beans as you can see in the picture), I give myself grace that we are trying our best!

Solid Skincare Co

(To access their Website, click here)

• Shampoo & Conditioner bars: Lana is always considerate of my requests to send her bars to me without the cardboard box. I have tried numerous brands in the past but I always come back to hers.

• Body wash bar: these are an excellent alternative to liquid shower gels.

susGain App

I would like to end this post by sharing about a sustainability app based in Singapore that rewards you for your eco-friendly actions. You can collect points, receive cashback or donate the same to local charities of your choice. I love that this app is a “one-stop-shop” for all my package-free & vegan products’ purchasing, clothes swapping, and water refilling across the island!

Visit https://www.susgain.com/ for more information and download the app using these links:

• PLAY STORE (Android): Click here

• APP STORE (iOS): Click here

What are your favourite stores to add to my list? Share this article with friends who are keen to start their sustainability journeys.