Reviews of Zero Waste Emporium (Fruit Store)

Levi Hildebrand

It's incredible what a little store like this can do! If you're looking for some packaging free groceries that are locally sourced and high quality then this is the place!

Pacifica Real Estate Inc

Best zero waste store on the island!

Alexander Snyder

Awesome staff super helpfull and great plastic free selection

J. Wynans

Great idea but some items they sell are "made responsibly in China" I don't think that that claim can be verified, as we all know China doesn't have the legitimate QC. Buying products from China is very opposite to achieving "zero waste" Source these products locally, or made in a country with reliable QC.

PlantBase Food

A great selection of amazing waste free products that support local businesses. Run by an awesome duo of folks and the staff is always very helpful and kind!

Whitney Ragan

Really cool spot, kind staff, they even have bulk vegan macaroons! :) Worth checking out.

Cristina “Eva” Garofalo

Such a great store with great staff! They have great safe options during the pandemic too for your groceries, kitchen supplies and so much more.

Laura Carolina

Great shop with lots of bulk foods, household and personal care products, plus fresh produce and many locally produced items, such as Green Cuisine, Very Good Butchers and The Cultured Nut. Lots of vegan items. Free delivery for seniors, and a seniors’ discount day.

AVERY Schwarz

AMAZING!!!

Amanda Ng

What an incredible store. The owners are friendly, personable, and passionate about reducing their waste imprint. The food is fresh, the store is well organized and clean, and they have kombucha on tap! You can grind your own peanut butter as well. Highly recommend this spot.

Christina Lenic

Such a wonderful group of people. Such a wonderful store with such a great concept. Glad i can be apart of saving the world.

Helene Cyr

Wonderful staff, delicious fruit and veggies and choice of goodies and spice. All things nice!!! :)

Kathy Rampling

Their inventory is great, the staff so knowledgeable & helpful and its a pleasure to shop there!

Alice Trombley

Awesome store! I love how you can get all of your household needs in your own containers.

Laura

Ever expanding selection, helpful staff. First stop for all your unpackaged needs.

Natasha Marie Niering

Everything you need!

Jeims Austin

Was not that great

Ashley Lewis

I love this store so much! The quality is fantastic and the selection is great. It’s just overall an amazing place. I’ve always liked Zero Waste Emporium and I like them even more after the owner reached out to me in a Mutual Aid FB group and offered me some groceries when I was struggling and in need. Just as a stranger, they offered some help and delivered some great things right to my home. Great place! Highly recommend!

emily price

Great store with an awesome concept and a great variety of foods and supplies(soaps etc) available. Many options for vegans and love that they offer both grocery staples and also fun & different items. Most of all, the staff are incredibly helpful and friendly and I think that is tremendously important so that people who maybe are new to idea or trying the store out for the first time aren't intimidated and can then see how easy it can be to make better choices! We just moved to the area this week and we've already been to this store 3 times! What I love personally is that even if you have a large jar, you don't need to fill it to the top and it has helped me begin to focus better on "how much do I ACTUALLY need"? Owners are also great and I've noticed feedback sheets at the storefront - they seem to be very open to hearing customer suggestions about new items to carry or improvements they could make. Please go shop here! More demand means over time they will carry even larger selection of goods!

Janet Hayward

Great little place to get fresh grocery items and household needs without all of the packaging!! Don't forget your used bags and containers!

Emmanuelle Caws

This is a fantastic store! They have a huge selection of products in bulk, package free or in minimal packaging. I think its great that they offer vegan meats and cheeses as well as real meats and cheeses that are locally made and package free. Oh and their store-made pizza dough is fantastic! I am grateful that they have found safe ways to let us continue shopping package free while ensuring proper sanitization for our safety during the pandemic. :)

Jim Mayer

This is a pleasant small grocery store with an environmentally conscious twist. They have a wide variety of bulk dry goods and a smaller, but useful, selection of fresh produce. There are also bulk frozen items, an interesting vegetarian deli counter, and cleaning supplies. The most unique feature of the store is that items are either sold unwrapped/bulk or, in a few cases, in returnable containers. The staff is friendly and helpful. The bulk pricing is simple. You bring your own clean and dry container, weigh it on one of their scales, and write the weight on the container. Then you fill it and bring it to checkout. You can also purchase reusable containers. Things I've bought here include fruit, greens, veggies, tempeh, dried beans, bulk dish soap, natural fiber cleaning brushes, etc. Everything has been high quality. I have had no complaints. I started shopping here because I'm making an effort to reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging and disposable plastic I buy. I continue to shop here because they are convenient, friendly, and pleasant.

Meg Rekis

The staff is ever polite and helpful. Out there to make a difference, and willing to get in new bulk items! Local support all the way!

Dawn Atargatis

How I adore Zero Waste!!! I love buying my Tigerzord & Pepperjack cheeses package free! I’m in love with the new granola called Grain Free. Paula & Nairn are so loving & kind. Dana & Sallly are usually the amazing staff who help me! Thank you for thinking of our Divine Earth Mother!????

Jonathan “Jono” Holden

This is the best place in town to get plastic free groceries and goods. Their prices are reasonable and the staff are helpful. I particularly like their range of waste reducing products such as their shaving supplies. Many of their bulk items aren't generally available elsewhere, bulk yoghurt or bulk vinegar for example.

Susanne S

Clean well organized store. Friendly helpful staff. Good protocols in place for refilling/using own containers. Great selection of supplies for household cleaning, personal care and staples like spices, oil, vinegar, dried nuts & fruit and many other useful products for the eco-conscious shopper.

Lindsay Epp

Exceeded my expectations! They had plenty of eco friendly containers for purchase as well as a "take a jar leave a jar" system so that even if you don't have your own recycled container, you can take one for free! Their selection of household products was great. Lovely, friendly staff, too!

Donna Talluto

Love it ! A lot of choice and even more :-) great people too !

Alison

Not a huge store but lots of variety. They sell VGB meat and zero waste shaving needs, including lots of containers you can use to fill up your own jars with!

rose graham

GREAt little sore but it is quite lager selection, and it al also very good locTION STAFF IDS FRIENDLY AND HELPFULL, GOOG PLACE

Mike Pfleger

Don't forget to pack your containers ;)

S S

(Translated) I think that every supermarket in Canada has a corner for selling beans, nuts, sweets, etc., but in this shop, in addition to the above, all seasonings, yogurt, morning milk, tofu, meat, cheese, vegetables We sell products ranging from fruits and other foods to daily necessities such as body soap, shampoo and laundry detergent. All the staff are kind and polite. How to purchase is simple, (anything also OK was finished eating honey and empty container of yogurt) brings an empty container of the Do bottles and Tupperware from home. Since there is a scale in the store, weigh the container and write it on the sticker. After that, just put the goods you want in a container and check it out! If you if you forget the container, it is safe because there is an empty vessel that can be used for free in the store. The price is about the same as almost super. Or have made in the BC, we handle the products of companies that have stuck to the environment and quality. Vegetables, fruits, and bread are often sold over time, and things that are clearly deflated are sometimes free! The amount of garbage has clearly decreased since I started using it. It would be nice if you could have a shop like this in Japan. (Original) カナダはどのスーパーにも豆、ナッツ、お菓子などの量り売りコーナーがあるかと思いますが、こちらのお店では上記に加えて、あらゆる調味料、ヨーグルト、朝絞り牛乳、豆腐、肉、チーズ、野菜、果物などの食品から、ボディソープ、シャンプー、洗濯洗剤などの日用品まで量り売りを行ってます。スタッフの方はみんな親切丁寧フレンドリーです。購入の仕方は簡単で、自宅から瓶やタッパーなとの空の容器(食べ終わった蜂蜜やヨーグルトの空き容器でも何でもOK)を持ってきます。店内に秤があるので容器の重さを測ってシールに書いて貼ります。後は欲しい商品を容器に入れてお会計をするだけ！もし容器を忘れてしまったら、店内に無料で使える空き容器があるので安心です。値段はほぼスーパーと同じくらいです。BC州で作っていたり、環境や品質にこだわっている企業の商品を取り扱っています。野菜や果物、パンは日が経った物をセールしていることも多いのですし、明らかに萎びている物は無料の時もあります！こちらを利用するようになってから明らかにゴミの量が減りました。日本でもこのようなお店ができるといいですね。

Katelin Leblond

Love this little shop! Everything unpackaged that I need: toothpaste, dish soap, bulk food item, oils, condiments, spices and even tortilla chip!

Mikala Wheeler

WHY AREN’T ALL GROCERY STORES LIKE THIS!!! Terrific place to shop. Love supporting locally run, socially and environmentally responsible businesses, not to mention prices are very fair and location was great. Would love to see more produce in the future so I can do all of my shopping here. Only way that can happen is if more people start shopping here so the produce doesn’t go bad...so people, start shopping here!!!

Rhia Davies-Willson

I love this place! I’d visited a few times prior, but really started shopping with them during Covid-19. My partner is immunosuppressed and I was finding it hard to order groceries online as everywhere had almost a 2 weeks wait time if I was lucky enough to even get a time slot. ZWE’s online ordering system was quick, easy, affordable, and sustainable. My order is always packaged with care and ready within a day or two for pick up. Thank you for all your hard work! When you are able to reopen I will definitely be working ZWE into my regular grocery shopping. :)

Ruth Mar

This place has everything and package free. Shampoo bars work great! I can’t wait to go back to buy some for friends Christmas presents. Bring your own jars and bags and shop your heart out. Fresh produce, meat and dry goods all the way to household products all plastic free. I’ll be back.

John Mcginnis

I'm sorry if you perceived my review as some sort of personl attack The sourcing might be legitimate, however that does not get communicated to the customer. From my own personal experience asking about specific items and sourcing the response I got was, and I quote: "Oh that's just the non Organic one" from an employee when I had a question. Honestly, when I am met with such dismissiveness and condescension from both the employees and the owner I am definitely not enthusiastic about coming back and spending my money. I do believe what you are doing can be good for the earth and is important to be recognized, I am writing this review because I care and I want you to succeed I hope this style of shopping becomes the new norm I truly do! Nothing is worse than a pretentious environmentalist and now more than ever we need to stop making people feel divided. Your welcome.

Charlotte B

inspirational

Andrea Bollen

I love this grocery store, bring your own containers and fill up with basically everything you could possibly need. They are also open to bringing in items you suggest:) love the concept and supporting local foods and products

Meagan McKnight

They have a wide variety of produce, groceries, and zero waste essentials. Their pasta sauce, Jennie Marie's Crackers, Adriana’s chips, The Cultured Nut cheese, Parachute Ice Cream, and maple syrup is delicious! The staff are also really friendly.

Hannah Smith

Lovley and helpfull staff. The prices are pretty high for a place that doesn't have to pay for the packaging of their products. I would expect at least equal to grocery store prices, honestly a bit disappointing.

Hillbillytc

Great little place to.get earth and local friendly products. The staff are so knowledgeable and friendly. Do not try their chocolate peanut butter bar, extremely addicting.

Nicole Vukosavljevic

The store is a great addition to the community. While the quality and range of products is amazing, the staff and owners are what makes the store truly special. They bring in new products throughout the year. I am not vegan so the biggest part that I like about the store is the meat selection because it means I know exactly where my beef etc. Is coming from. Would highly recommend checking out.

Happy Chika

Not beliving that covid is serious and not wearing masks, comes from the same thought process as , as people who think climate change is a haux and that the earth is flat! Shame on you! Edit in response to owners reply. I have been to your store, not sure where you come up with the info of I havent been to your store. You made comments in a diffrent form online saying that masks are "covid diapers" and that you belivie covid is not a big concern and that you will not make your children wear masks when they return to school. That type of attitude tells me your bussiness is not likely safe to shop at as you are not likely to clean properly. And the public deserves to know your attitude towards covid so they can choose for themselves if they feel safe entering your bussiness. My choice along with many other prior customers ive spoken to, will not be returning.

Lloyd Hardman

Hidden Gem Alert!... chalk full of all natural locally sourced goodies all with a zero waste concept! Free sanitized Jars and zero footprint cellophane containers if you did not bring your own. The staff are super friendly and mega helpful. Electronic receipts. Great work Team!

Stacy Neilson

Amazing. This has to be the way of the future because we cannot keep producing waste the way we do.

Janette Bonin

Found delicious and cool stuff

John Hinton

Really committed to the zero waste concept - bring your own tupperware, jars, etc. It has meat, a small selection of produce, and lots of grains & seeds.

Romina Miranda

BEST GROCERY STORE

Victoria Cecchini

We absolutely love this shop. Just found it today and we'll be going back very very soon. The quality of everything is very high. They not only have a nice selection of fresh fruit and veg but a big deli selection, dried fruits, meats, vegan goodies, nuts, beans etc. Shampoos, house cleaners, bags, razors and so much more and everything is zero waste. Take your bags, jars etc. or get them there. So many local products so really supporting the community. A super high consciousness shop with a lovely vibe, Jasmin was super helpful. This is a total inspiration for other shops of all kinds. Please visit and support not only them and the community but the planet. Really really nice experience. Thank you.

Morgana

Love love love this store ❤️❤️❤️

Glenn Garry

Nice shop!

Sheila Bischoff

Its a great place. Shopping at zero- waste reduces my foot print ...yay!

Amie Mouneimne

Great selection of bulk food plus refilll cleaning products and beauty products.

Kristina Varga

Ethical bulk store: I found a few months ago and love it! I've been filling my own jars with bulk honey, coffee, rice vinegar, fresh vegetables, locally sourced frozen meat, grind your own peanut butter... I was tired of all the plastic I threw away at regular grocery stores. Zero waste.

Jax Early

I love this store, the staff are ALWAYS really helpful and friendly. A wide range of products at competitive prices. It makes me feel good to shop here knowing I'm doing something positive towards reducing my impact on our beautiful planet AND helping a local business. I like the fact that I can browse and NEVER feel rushed. If you're shopping for a mixed household (vegan/vegetarian/carnivore) ZWE caters for that with ethical choices for those that still like to eat meat/animal products. Going vegan is often a gradual, intermittent process for some so this is a good place to get a good balance of groceries.

Damitan Dabiri

So far I've tried the 8x laundry detergent and the compostable dish sponge. I'm pleased with both and excited to try more of their products in the future.

mikey be

They have such a great assortment of products for such a small place. I'm surprised at how much on my grocery list I can get here.

Barbara Hansen

Interesting concept I need to explore.

Clara Van Horn-Foy

Well laid-out, good customer service, convenient location, really good variety of locally-made products that you won't find package-free anywhere else! Will definitely be making this a regular stop.

Tony G

This place needs more stuff in all departments, I hope it grows. Only reason I didnt give 5 stars was because it doesn't have all i really need to feed my family. This is an excellent place if your concern is waste though. Please dont ever close!

Adam Sheffield

Always friendly and helpful staff. Great ideas to help reduce wasteful packaging.

Louise Gobert

Wow!! Great service and tasty food! I will be back!!

Sam Martin

I placed an order the other day and it took a few days to get to me due to communication issues, the owners threw in a gift card for my troubles. Much appreciated! Great customer service!

Tigen Big Tree

Fantastic. Love it. They will order in different ingredients if you ask them too. Beautiful organic vegan and vegetarian and meat foods.

Léa Baron

Nice shop, staff is incredibly helpful, will definitely buy more from them!

Elizabeth Zappella

Finally a zero waste store in Victoria I've been watching YouTube videos on this

Angelica OConnor

This is a great store for well off/wealthy people to do zero waste shopping.

Jennifer Cawthorne

Such a cool idea! I was pleasantly surprised that the prices were low, they seemed the same or even lower than a grocery store. Also great that they have jars available there, just in case you come unprepared.

Jessica Duncan

This place is an absolute gem. ZWE strives to help us all do a little better in reducing our waste by making it easy for the consumer. I love the fact that they carry so many local products! This store is a real gift to the community.

Katherine McPhee

Really good bulk foods, nuts, and housewares. Will be going back!

Valerie Darkke

Incredible selection of high-quality food and other household items. This store is not just practical but also offers alot of learning opportunities on where waste can be reduced... THANK YOU! My trash and recycling have reduced significantly.

Celia Payne

Produce, condiments, oils, preserves, cleaning liquids, reusable bags and containers, helpful staff, competitive pricing and a location that is easy to find.

martin matko

Waste not want Zero Waste Emporium!

Ainslee Oliver

Meh Thanks but no thanks. Will not be going back to your store. Best of luck

Julian W

I enjoyed this shop and love the premise. There was a good selection of bulk foods, a fair number of protein powders bulk, two different companies kombuchas (4 varieties) on tap as well as culinary spices. I found the refillable containers (bottles specifically) for sale a little expensive so didn't buy any, will bring my own next time, although the mason jars were very reasonable. I made a special trip in from out of town for their zero waste, locally made tofu as their website said they got it in Wednesdays, but when I went on a Wednesday they said it was actually Thursdays. That was a bit of a bummer, but they corrected the website right away when I pointed it out. If I had a few suggestions they would be ... it would be that maybe for things like produce they list the price per lb. as well as 100g, would make it a little easier some some of us to do the price comparison to regular supermarkets that almost always post prices for things like mushrooms, etc. by the lb. I'm happy to pay a little more to support a store like this, but I'd like to know how much more. Also, I'm sure they must have a reason for it, but selling things like olive oil, soy sauce, etc by the 100g also makes it tough to compare prices before filling your bottle and just waiting to see what the price will be. Would be helpful to show up with my 500ml refillable bottle and know what it will cost to fill it in advance. Finally, having things like tofu 'while it lasts' and oat milk only certain days makes it necessary to schedule a trip in. Not sure why that has to be the case, in this customers mind either sell it or don't sell it, don't leave it as a surprise when I come in to shop. In any event, I liked the store and will try it again this week, refillables in hand this time. I'll also spend a bit more time checking out the household cleaning type items.

Sarah Johnson

Love the concept, love the smoked tofu!

orla osborne

This store is amazing, where else can you buy food free of any and all packaging? It's rewarding to know that none of your groceries bought here will generate waste or leave as big a carbon footprint as groceries at other stores do. By spending your money here you also keep the money circulating within Victoria, far more so than at superstores. This was the way it was in the past and is the way forward if we are to live an environmently friendly lifestyle and support our local economy. I love shopping at ZWE it is a great store with great staff, great values, and it is the start of a new shopping revolution. Thank you for doing this and I will see you soon.