We know it’s tough—so much food comes wrapped in single-use plastic! One step you can take to minimize packaging waste is shopping at businesses with bulk bins and refill options.
No, we aren’t talking about buying large amounts of food at once (which can still have excessive packaging). Instead, we are talking about bringing your own bags or containers to the store and filling them up from the bulk bins, dispensers, and taps. This process eliminates waste associated with packaging and lets you decide the quantity you want (which helps you prevent food waste along the way).
COVID-19 update: Some stores have altered or closed their bulk sections due to COVID-19. It is important to check with the grocery store to make sure it is okay to bring your own container during this time.
Never Shopped Bulk Food Before?
Check out the site below for tips and tricks for easy stress free shopping
Where To Shop Bulk & Refill On Oʻahu
Sky Kombucha
SKY Kombucha is USDA certified organic and sources ingredients from local farms where possible. Every month, their kombucha-on-tap machines reduce the use and disposal of thousands of bottles. That means fewer bottles being shipped in from the mainland, and fewer bottles filling landfills and recycling centers.
Be part of their sustainability movement: REFILL your bottles at one of our on-tap locations. RETURN your bottle to a participating location, or directly to us, and they will sanitize and REUSE that bottle. They will give you $0.50 for each 12 oz bottle return. Follow them on Instagram to stay up to date and check out their website below.
Kokua Market
Kokua Market has a wide variety of bulk food items! They offer spices, oils, grains, dried fruit, granola, quick snacks, and even some sweets. Bring your own container and get $.15 off! Their employees are happy to help with any questions you have and can weigh your container before filling.
Down To Earth
Down To Earth offers many organic and non-organic options for natural nuts, grains, beans, flours, pasta, cereals, sweets, herbs, specialty items, and a wide variety of trail mixes.
Safeway
Safeway has a variety of nuts, dried goods, and treats in its bulk food sections. The Mānoa, Kapahulu, and Pi’ikoi stores are all set up for bulk bin shopping.
