The best: Places to shop zero waste around Manchester

Originally founded in 1920 by Thomas McCall, 2020 sees McCall’s Organics celebrate their 100th anniversary of trading on Church Street. They offer a wide range of organic produce – from locally sourced organic eggs to rose, ginger and goji raw chocolates. Here you will also be able to pick up biodegradable and environmentally friendly cleaning products and cosmetics, including plastic-free period products.

Ancoats General Store is a staple of the thriving Ancoats neighbourhood scene. They stock pretty much everything you need and a lot of the products are from small companies with a commitment to eco-friendly policies. They sell refills on cleaning products including detergent, washing up liquids, and conditioner and have recently installed a refill station for rice, pasta, grains and nuts. The store is also known for their excellent selection of wine and beers with certain varieties available on tap to take away in reusable glass bottles and growlers. Their team have also opened a number of other stores across Manchester – including venues in Deansgate Square and Media City UK – both of which also include refill stations.

The Elder Tree Pantry is a family run business based in Stockport and they pride themselves on being 100% eco-friendly. The mission of The Elder Tree is simple: they want to return us to a simpler time where eating real food with minimal packaging was normal practice. This is how they have become known the area’s plastic free, zero waste shop, selling goods like pasta, grains, soaps bars and biodegradable household items. Their aim is to create a better future, one product at a time. 

This neighbourhood-owned shop sells sustainable ranges with a wide selection of vegan, organic, and gluten free products. To help reduce waste they sell loose produce from hoppers including oats, museli, seeds, rice and larger bins with scoops for items like couscous and dried fruits. If you remember your own containers there’s no need to worry about loose produce spilling over your shopping and the team will weigh the pot before you fill it so that you only pay for the product. They also sell ‘fill your own’ contain weights of washing-up liquid, laundry liquid, fabric conditioner, hand soap, multi-surface cleaner, shampoo  and conditioner. While you’re there don’t forget to pick up a loaf of bread from local bakery Trove, or lunch from Great North Pie Co.

Unicorn Grocery was established in 1995 by a small group of people who shared the same initiative: to create a co-op dedicated for social change. After conducting in-depth research, they had a clear vision of the kind of shop they themselves wanted to shop in. Unicorn Grocery specialises in wholesome tasty foods that are sourced with care and sold at affordable prices. If you’re to shop in this grocer, you will find products such as cereals, grains, flours, nuts, dried fruits and spices. All of their products are packed on site, in a small building adjacent to the shop. They’re currently undergoing a huge expansion project with the aim of making their sustainable stocklist larger and more widely available to customers. Watch this space!

Plentiful began its journey as Fulfilled, a dainty shop in Ramsbottom and the first of its kind in Manchester. Their missions are clearly set out on their website: they aim to make plastic free living a reality as they work to prevent one million pieces of plastic per year from being bought and wasted unnecessarily. The products they offer are somewhat different to some of the other stores in this list, as they specialise in personal grooming products such as hair and dental care, reusable produce bags and eco-friendly kitchen utensils. 

This little co-op on Oxford Road stocks a wide array of different eco-friendly products that are amazing, while also priding themselves on being 100% vegetarian. If you’re passionate about preventing the climate crisis and want to shop locally, this is definitely somewhere you should check out. Here, you will be able to purchase your groceries, such as beans and pulses, grains, spreads, raw food and caffeine free alternatives.

This little store sells beautiful and naturally sourced products that are made to last, preventing the need for single use plastic. Here, you will be able to purchase reusable string shopping bags, long-lasting and perfectly made umbrellas and pens that are designed to last years. No matter what you’re in need of, the truth is, you could probably find something equally beautiful and environmentally friendly at Deadstock Green.

Utopia is a zero waste store based in Sale that specialises in refills and holistic products. If you shop in this independent store, you will be surrounded by products that were all designed to help save the planet, including eco-friendly toilet roll, Colgate toothpaste and beautifully hand-made pottery. 

Lentils and Lather believe that eliminating pointless plastic from food items, drinks, household goods and personal care products is one of the easiest ways to manage the impact we have on the planet. This store stocks a large variety of sustainable products. Though their range is predominantly vegan, here you will find food and drink such as pasta, rice, snacks and breakfast cereals, teas, coffees and juices. Lentils and Lather also stock personal care and household products. 

At Stretford Food Hall you will be able to eat, drink and shop with a guilt-free conscious. Stop by and experience some of the new and recurring food traders as they line their stalls up at Stretford Food Hall and then indulge in a craft beer, some locally distilled gin or some coffee which has travelled only a short distance, from Ancoats Coffee Co. Afterwards you can browse a wide range of environmentally friendly groceries, beers and fresh food in their convenient store, containing items that are both nationally and locally sourced.

Originating in Heaton Moor but recently expanding to a small unit in Altrincham, Bernie’s Grocery Store and Provisions offer up a range of wholesome food, drink and homeware items that are cherry-picked by its eco-minded owners and staff. Stocking a range of responsibly sourced fruit and vegetables, you’ll also find a range of independently crafted beers, wines and sodas alongside sandwiches, loaves and baked goods like pies, cakes and croissants.