Guide to the Best Zero Waste Shops in Bristol
Aside from its stunning greenery and countryside surroundings, the city is also recognised as one of the most eco-friendly in the UK, thanks to its many parks and low carbon emissions. Second, only to London for its wide selection of zero-waste and eco-friendly shops, Bristol also provides plenty of options for people interested in healthy and organic foods.
These shops also encourage fellow Bristolians to refill their weekly groceries with their own containers instead of using plastic packaging. Interested in where these plastic-free shops are located. Here is a list of the top five zero-waste and ethical shops across Bristol:
1. Nom Wholefoods Ethical Food Shop (Staple Hill)
Originally launched as a zero-waste delivery service, Nom Wholefoods has a unique background and continues to offer online deliveries across the UK today. The husband-and-wife duo, Nikki and Matt, and owners started the busienss with a passion for sourcing ethically grown food and reducing plastic packaging. With demand for a shop, Nikki took the lead and in November 2021 the shop opened in in Staple Hill, east of Bristol, serving both the local community and customers from South Gloucestershire.
Nikki from Nom Wholefoods shared some insightful advice for those starting their zero-waste journey:
“We are not perfect. We don’t claim to live a 100% zero waste lifestyle, but we make the changes we can that are within our budget and work for us.”
This approach highlights the importance of progress over perfection - encouraging newcomers to make sustainable choices that fit their lifestyle and budget, without the pressure to achieve an ideal standard right away. It’s a refreshing reminder that every small step counts in the pursuit of a more eco-friendly life.
Shoppers at Nom Wholefoods will find a well-stocked high street store offering both food and non-food products, including green cleaning essentials, natural personal care items, and liquid refills.
They also provide a wide selection of organic and non-organic foods, including pantry staples (pasta, rice, grains, flour, and baking ingredients), breakfast foods (cereals and dried fruit), and seasoning (herbs and spices). Nom Wholefoods offer a mix of high-quality organic and non-organic food products, to ensure their customers can shop affordably at a zero-waste store.
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Address: 37 Broad St, Bristol BS16 5LP
Opening Hours: 9.30am to 5pm (Monday to Saturday, except Thursday), 9.30am to 7pm (Thursday)
2. Scoop Wholefoods Health Food Shop (Clifton)
The ethos of this Bristol zero-waste and health food shop is to encourage its community in Clifton and people across the city to care for their bodies with nutritious and organic foods.
Scoop Wholefoods sources its products locally from both independent and ethical food suppliers. Customers will have a range of bulk foods to shop from, including beans, dried fruit, flour, pasta, sugar, rice, and more. You’ll also be able to explore their variety of plastic-free bathroom and household essentials.
To make shopping easier, they also provide home deliveries within the local area and a next-day collection service. Simply drop off your containers, and they will be refilled for you by the next working day.
Scoop Wholefoods' Operation Manager, Rich Green, shared the inspiration behind opening a zero-waste shop in Bristol:
“To try to make sustainable shopping as convenient as possible, housing the largest selection of refillable products in the country, and to work with local suppliers and organic growers to build a shop that can help make a difference.”
Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their most popular products, with Rich sharing customer favourites:
“Definitely our yoghurt raspberries are a favourite. Our extra virgin olive oil on tap is also very popular, saving thousands of bottles. Other favourites include our nut butter made in store and available to refill, our large selection of organic nuts, granola and oats, and our protein bites.”
Scoop Wholefoods has expanded since 2019, opening zero-waste shops in Bath and delivering across the UK to share their values with other communities. When you visit, you’ll find all their products in reusable or compostable packaging.
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Address: 98A Whiteladies Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2QY
Opening Hours: 9.30am to 6.30pm (Monday to Friday), 9am to 6pm (Saturday) and 10am to 4pm (Sunday)
3. Smaller Footprint Plastic-Free Shop (Clifton)
Situated in Clifton Village, Smaller Footprints is an independent zero-waste store dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint through sustainable packaging in grocery shopping. To make this a reality, the shop encourages customers to go plastic free and bring their own jars and bags for refills to reduce the use of plastic packaging in the city.
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Shopping at Smaller Footprints ensures your kitchen and home are fully stocked with sustainable and ethical products. Their shelves are packed with organic wholefoods, including pasta, cereals, beans, and nuts, as well as herbs, spices, and oils. They also offer a range of personal care items and liquid cleaning supplies.
Plus, you can try their grind-your-own nut butter service to create your very own zero-waste peanut butter.
Address: 9 Regent St, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4HW
Opening Hours: 10am to 5pm (Tuesday - Saturday, except Thursday) and 10am to 6pm (Thursday)
4. Zero Green Refill Shop (Southville)
As one of the first zero-waste store to open in Bristol, Zero Green is on a mission to reduce packaging waste. They offer a diverse range of groceries, from dry foods like cereals, flour, pasta, and grains to condiments such as nut butter and jam, as well as refillable bathroom products like shampoo and conditioner bars.
They also provide a variety of sustainable products for your home and kitchen, including cleaning supplies and glass containers, all in biodegradable or plastic-free packaging - like their edible coffee cups.
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In terms of local services, they offer free delivery for orders over £50 within Bristol and a convenient drop-off service, allowing customers to bring their containers to the store and collect their refilled items the same day. This is a great zero-waste shop to visit if you’re looking for a plastic free shop near you in Bristol.
Address: 80 North St, Southville, Bristol BS3 1HJ
Opening Hours: 10am to 6pm (Tuesday to Friday), 9am to 5pm (Saturday) and 10am to 4pm (Sunday)
5. Southville Deli Zero Waste Shop (Southville)
At Southville Deli Zero Waste store, you’ll find high-quality local produce, from fresh and delicious pastries to locally sourced goat and sheep’s cheese from independent businesses in the Southwest. Alongside these comforting essentials, you can also shop from a selection of bulk foods, including pasta, rice, flour, dried fruit, and nuts.
Customers are encouraged to bring their own containers for cupboard staples or use the store’s recycled paper bags. While not entirely plastic-free, the store prioritises compostable or reusable packaging.
For coffee lovers, they also offer locally sourced, high-quality coffee beans—a must-try and perfect for starting the day with a sea view from the store.
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Address: 253 North St, Southville, Bristol BS3 1JN
Opening Hours: 9.30am to 5.30pm (Monday to Friday), 8.30am to 5pm (Saturday) and Sunday (10am to 5pm)
While Bristol leads the way in recycling across the South West, government data shows that most fly-tipped waste still comes from households. That’s why making small changes—like shopping at zero-waste stores—can have a big impact.
But even with the best intentions, waste can still build up over time. That’s where we can help. Our Bristol rubbish removal services make it easy to clear out household waste responsibly. We’re committed to diverting as much as possible from landfill, supporting a cleaner, greener Bristol.