A Store Without Packaging

A new health foods store in Reykjavík is taking “being green” a step further.

Vísir reports that the health food store Uppskeran, located in the east Reykjavík neighbourhood of Skeifan, encourages customers to show up with their own jars, plastic containers and bottles. This is probably a necessity for those who want to shop there – none of their products are sold in containers.

“A big part of the store is people can come with their own bottles and jars, and fill them,” says Stefán Andri Björnsson, one of Uppskeran’s employees.

Spices, beans, nuts, raisins, even olive oil are all available in bulk form, sold by weight, which also saves customers money. Stefán says that this form of shopping might be old fashioned, but he believes people will get used to it.

“People can come with whatever containers they like,” he says. “So long as they don’t leak.”