8 Zero-Waste Stores in Los Angeles

Zero waste. Plastic-free. Minimalist. Eco-conscious. Whatever your eco-conscious grocery shopping needs, these Los Angeles stores have them covered. From household and beauty products to grains and beans, you’re sure to find what you need.

What is zero-waste living?

Zero waste living is an effort to produce less waste by reusing, rethinking, and repurposing. It’s a great tool to use, especially if you suffer from climate anxiety. Because while many environmental issues are out of your control, only you decide how best to spend your money. So how can you start putting less strain on the planet? Well, we like to heed the words of the generations before us. Use it up, wear it out, make do with it, or do without. One strategy is to shop at bulk stores throughout Los Angeles. This will help you avoid excess packaging while meeting your daily needs.

Why avoid plastic?

Why stop using plastic? Because single-use plastics pose a serious threat to our planet, wildlife and human health. These plastics take hundreds of years to decompose. We’re talking bags, cosmetic containers and bottles of bath and body care products. Think shampoo, shower gel and deodorant. Often the plastics further break down into smaller pieces called microplastics. We’ve all seen the pictures showing the dangers that microplastics pose to our oceans and aquatic life. But new research suggests that microplastics may also pose a threat to human health. These environmental hazards can contribute to a number of chronic diseases, including heart attacks and strokes.

How to shop at wholesale stores in LA

While most bulk stores share the same mission—Save the planet!—they’re not all the same. Some stores have a similar assortment to your local grocery store. Others focus primarily on bath and beauty products. And they all have their own shopping rules. So let us help you do your research. Here’s our list of bulk stores in Los Angeles, what they carry, and how to shop there. And, hey, thanks for doing your part to save the planet.

re_grocery

Mar Vista, Studio City and Highland Park

Grab your reusable bags. It’s time to go shopping! At re_grocery, you have the choice. If you’re trying to use as little plastic as possible, you’ve come to the right place. From dish soap and laundry powder to couscous, rice and rotini, this Los Angeles-based wholesaler has everything you need. But what about bath and body products, beauty and dental products? Yes, they have those! Just bring your own clean, dry and empty containers from home. Or buy the store’s paper bags made from recycled waste paper or the store’s reusable jars and bottles. You’ll also find plastic-free and zero-waste accessories. Examples include Swedish dish towels, natural dish brushes and stainless steel sandwich tins. Look for this eco-friendly spot in Mar Vista, Studio City and Highland Park.

Courtesy of re_grocery

The well filling

Topanga

You’ll find a variety of unpackaged items at The Well Refill. These range from personal care and cleaning supplies to DIY home and beauty ingredients. We’re talking everything from body baths and face cream to toilet bombs and cleansing scrubs. The Well also offers a selection of pre-packaged, low-waste products. Think plastic-free deodorant, bamboo patches and reusable menstrual cups. Stock up on packaging-free shampoo and conditioner bars, vinegar, shea butter, Epsom salts and more. Just bring your own clean containers to get started. And don’t miss the collection of low-waste tools and accessories and the small collection of used goods.

Courtesy of The Well Refill

Prostainable

Granada Hills

With plastic-free shipping and in-store pickup, Prostainable offers flexible shopping options to fit your schedule. You’ll find refillable products as well as reusable, compostable, and plastic-free items. From handmade soap and toilet tablets to shampoo and grooming bars, this market helps you stock your home with supplies. Prostainable also carries zero-waste accessories like stainless steel food containers, reusable silicone lids for jars, glass drinking straws, and more. Start your journey to less plastic with Hüppy’s plastic-free dental floss. Or replace your traditional cotton buds with bamboo cotton buds. This place also offers a selection of DIY classes to help you with your sustainability endeavor.

Courtesy of Prostainable

Sustain LA

Highland Park

Highland Park is home to the next wholesale Los Angeles store on our list. If you’re looking to reduce your household waste, Sustain LA encourages you to rethink the concept of convenience. In addition to their plastic-free refill station, they also offer zero waste education. From in-home consultations to help you customize your zero waste journey to zero waste support at major events, Sustain LA is working to protect our planet. Shop at their refill station, the first home products and personal care site of its kind in Los Angeles. Simply order online and pick up curbside! Their products are packaged in reusable bottles that you can return. Or shop in-store. You’ll find everything from coffee and tea to all-purpose cleaners, body lotion, and more.

Courtesy of Sustain LA

Sun Moon Rain

Santa Monica

Sun Moon Rain wants to do their part to clean up the planet by curbing the use of single-use plastic and plastic waste. The store offers a small, carefully curated selection of bulk packs for your household and beauty needs. Shop for everything from toothpaste tablets to liquid laundry detergent and more. You’ll also find a selection of zero-waste accessories like bamboo toothbrushes, refillable empty growler bottles and more. Additionally, they stock a small amount of personal care products in plastic-free packaging. These include shampoo and conditioner bars, mascara and eyebrow wax, among others. From recycled jewelry to reusable cotton and jute tote bags, Sun Moon Rain is the place to shop.

Courtesy of Sun Moon Rain

Opportunity for cooperation

Santa Monica

Let’s talk food. Consider Co-opportunity your new favorite wholesaler in Los Angeles. This Santa Monica gem has everything from beans to grains. With an extensive wholesaler department, they make your grocery shopping easy. Choose curbside pickup or delivery through Instacart, or shop in-store. You’ll find organic, gluten-free, and raw options that are locally sourced and fair trade. The store carries nut butters, baking supplies, granola, spices, coffee, and more. The member-owned co-op is the only organic food co-op in LA that’s open to the public. Get your shopping list ready, then head to this Green Business-certified, sustainable wholesaler. Feel good supporting a business that partners with FoodCycle LA to combat food insecurity and reduce food waste.

Courtesy of Co-opportunity

Square One refills and sustainable consumables

Santa Monica

Plastic-free is the name of the game at Square One Refills and Sustainable Supplies. Everything at Square One comes in reusable or biodegradable packaging. Shop a limited selection of zero-waste home and personal care refills, including citrus shampoo and body wash, antioxidant cream, vitamin C face serum, and more. All refills are vegan, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and contain no phthalates. You’ll also find other zero-waste items. These include soap bars, deodorant bars, organic cotton makeup rolls, and hand wash in reusable stainless steel bottles. Square One also stocks a selection of travel-sized personal care products in TSA-friendly stainless steel containers.

Courtesy of No Tox Life

Whole Foods Market

Multiple locations

You like them for their TTLA (vegan sandwich with tempeh, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and avocado). You love them for their extensive line of unpackaged foods. This popular grocery store offers a variety of eco-friendly products. From dried fruit, seeds, and pasta to nuts, flour, and beans, you’re sure to find what you need. Create your own cereals, granolas, trail mix, and soup mixes. Or pick them up ready-made! You’ll also find other unpackaged options throughout the store, like nut butters, prepared meals, breads, and more. Plus, this certified organic grocery store is committed to responsible sourcing and community service. And they ban over 300 food ingredients throughout the store that aren’t good for you and aren’t good for the planet.

Courtesy of Whole Foods Market