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  4. I shopped at an LA grocery store that uses zero plastic containers, unlike Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, and I'm convinced it's the future of how we'll shop

I shopped at an LA grocery store that uses zero plastic containers, unlike Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, and I'm convinced it's the future of how we'll shop

Samantha Delouya   

I shopped at an LA grocery store that uses zero plastic containers, unlike Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, and I'm convinced it's the future of how we'll shop
re_grocery opened in 2020. It has the potential to disrupt the grocery industry.Samantha Delouya
  • re_grocery is a new and growing grocery store chain in Los Angeles.
  • It stands out from competitors like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods because it aims for zero plastic waste.

I visited a new grocery store chain in Los Angeles powered by a radical mission: to use zero-plastic packaging.

I visited a new grocery store chain in Los Angeles powered by a radical mission: to use zero-plastic packaging.
re_grocery's Studio City location looks more like a trendy storefront than a traditional grocery store.      Samantha Delouya

Since opening in April 2020, the retailer, re_grocery, has grown to three locations.

Since opening in April 2020, the retailer, re_grocery, has grown to three locations.
So far, re_grocery only has locations in Los Angeles.      Samantha Delouya

"It was pretty scary," said re_grocery cofounder Joseph Macrino about opening at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We were having a really hard time even getting the doors open because we couldn't get through to the health department, but eventually, we persevered and pushed through," he added.

re_grocery accomplishes its sustainable mission by allowing people to fill reusable containers with goods from the store.

re_grocery accomplishes its sustainable mission by allowing people to fill reusable containers with goods from the store.
"We were a little bit worried that people weren't going to come in and shop, but the day we opened, we just had a line out the door. People really were waiting for this style of shopping here in LA," Joseph Macrino said.      Samantha Delouya

The stores sell reusable containers, but customers are also encouraged to bring their own containers and glass bottles from home.

The stores sell reusable containers, but customers are also encouraged to bring their own containers and glass bottles from home.
The grocery chain produces "virtually no" plastic waste, according to its founders.      Samantha Delouya

Unlike at a traditional grocery store, everything in the store is sold by weight, so you are not required to buy a fixed amount of product.

Unlike at a traditional grocery store, everything in the store is sold by weight, so you are not required to buy a fixed amount of product.
Containers are weighed before they are filled so that weight is subtracted from the total.      Samantha Delouya

"There are definitely some challenges. The typical grocery store sells in units, and ours sell by weight, so inventory management is a very big part of our operation," Joseph Macrino said.

re_grocery was founded by husband and wife duo Joseph and Lauren Macrino, who said the concept of grocery shopping with reusable containers is common in Australia, where Lauren is from.

re_grocery was founded by husband and wife duo Joseph and Lauren Macrino, who said the concept of grocery shopping with reusable containers is common in Australia, where Lauren is from.
Sydney, Australia. "We want to make refill as accessible to everyone as possible," Lauren Macrino said.      Vijay Anand/Getty Images

While re_grocery only exists in Los Angeles right now, its founders have their sights set on expansion.

"We are currently fundraising for more locations throughout LA but also throughout Southern California… we really want to make this available for everyone," Joseph Macrino said.

I recently visited re_grocery's Studio City location and was impressed with what I saw.

I recently visited re_grocery
Standing outside of re_grocery in Studio City on February 7.      Samantha Delouya

The store was trendy and carried every type of dry good I would normally buy at a grocery store.

The store was trendy and carried every type of dry good I would normally buy at a grocery store.
re_grocery's interior looked more like a trendy store in LA than a traditional grocery store.      Samantha Delouya

It even carried cleaning products, shampoos, and conditioners.

It even carried cleaning products, shampoos, and conditioners.
Rather than throwing away empty bottles of detergent and cleaning products, I plan to return to re_grocery to refill them.      Samantha Delouya

Some shampoos, conditioners, and body lotions that normally come in a plastic dispenser were sold as solid bars and wrapped in paper.

Some shampoos, conditioners, and body lotions that normally come in a plastic dispenser were sold as solid bars and wrapped in paper.
Lauren Macrino said most of the products arrive in paper bags, so it's easier to recycle.      Samantha Delouya

I initially found some products confusing, like a "vegetable broth" that came in powder form.

I initially found some products confusing, like a "vegetable broth" that came in powder form.
Some products that I'm used to buying as a liquid came in powder form.      Samantha Delouya

Fortunately, the store's manager explained that each item has a scannable QR code that explains its preparation and includes nutritional information.

Fortunately, the store
re_grocery's directions for its vegetable broth powder.      re_grocery

While I was shopping, two different customers came into the store for the first time. Both seemed to pick up the concept of shopping with reusable containers quickly.

While I was shopping, two different customers came into the store for the first time. Both seemed to pick up the concept of shopping with reusable containers quickly.
"When we started this, we thought we would have to do a lot more education to get people to come into the stores... but it feels like when people come into the store, particularly in LA, they've actually been waiting for something like this," Lauren Macrino said.      Samantha Delouya

The store I visited mostly carries dry goods, but there was a small refrigerated section.

The store I visited mostly carries dry goods, but there was a small refrigerated section.
re_grocery's manager on duty told me that management strongly considers customer requests for new items. For example, the store began carrying miso after customer requests.      Samantha Delouya

My experience at re_grocery convinced me that this could be the future of grocery shopping.

My experience at re_grocery convinced me that this could be the future of grocery shopping.
Some of the products I purchased during my trip to re_grocery. It felt good to know I didn't create plastic waste with my purchase.      Samantha Delouya

But in order to compete with big grocery chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, re_grocery will have to start to carry fresh items, too.

But in order to compete with big grocery chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joe
The store carried dried fruits, but not fresh ones. Selling fresh items while still maintaining its zero plastic waste goal may be challenging for re_grocery.      Samantha Delouya

Overall, I think the concept of only taking what you need is a great idea, and I'm surprised it hasn't been widely adopted. I believe re_grocery has the potential to disrupt the grocery industry.

Overall, I think the concept of only taking what you need is a great idea, and I
I prefer to take only the food I need and avoid waste.      Samantha Delouya

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