If you don't grow your own food in the garden, but go to the supermarket instead, you will notice that packaging is everywhere. More and more consumers, however, want to be able to do without. Retailers see a niche here, but the big suppliers are also getting started on the topic of "unpackaged".

The cherry tomatoes in the small cardboard box and the organic cucumber in a plastic sleeve. This is actually practical because it protects them from dirt and those consumers who like to touch everything and then don't buy it after all. However, the plastic film and small baskets use up valuable resources and have to be recycled. Swiss food retailers are now increasingly taking up the "unpackaged" theme.

What does a packaging-free store look like?
In stores that completely or largely do without packaging, it looks like a general store fifty years ago. Everywhere there are large containers for dry goods, barrels for liquid products and displays for fresh goods such as fruit and vegetables. The containers are also designed with sustainability in mind, which is why most of them are made of wood, glass or metal. In some stores, customers can use reusable containers for a deposit - or bring their own containers. Whether it's a cloth bag or preserving jar, the container is first weighed empty and then filled - so you only pay for the amount you actually buy.

Do you know of any great shops that are packaging-free or take an innovative approach to the topic? Share it with us in the comments below!

Who is taking part in packaging-free shopping in Switzerland?
Migros is one of the first wholesalers to set a good example with its "Zero Waste" campaign. Consumers can buy organic products at filling stations in selected shops and refill cleaning products in containers they have brought with them. This pays off - Migros saves thousands of tonnes of plastic waste from its own products.

Other packaging-free grocery shops are smaller or regionally based:

• In Aarau, there is the Unverpackt cooperative.
• oba aba enables packaging-free shopping in Chur.
• The unpackaged shop with bistro in Thun also convinces with its design.
• In French-speaking Switzerland, Atout Vracis located in Fribourg.
• And a whole series of shops all over Switzerland have Chez Mami.

Not entirely without packaging, but at least without plastic is Natürlich unverpackt in Basel. Other providers that are encouraging people to try this new type of sustainable shopping are Bare Ware, Ohne.ch and "Pfünderli". The unpackaged stores not only sell food, but also cleaning products, other household supplies and drinks. If you don't have a bottle for the latter yet, take a look at our new TreeBottles Glass!

Another exciting article on the topic of packaging can be found here.