Buying loose has a very positive effect on the planet, and through the month of March there is a campaign running that spends 31 days explaining why it matters, and how the sector feeds into Sustainable Development Goal 12, on responsible consumption and production.

It felt like good timing to write about why loose shopping matters and why it is the more conscious choice. And obviously I could not write the article without pointing you towards some shops and alternatives.

What does buying loose mean?

“Loose”, or unpackaged, describes buying products without packaging. Under Portuguese law it covers foodstuffs and non-food products made available to the consumer priced by unit of measure, with no need for prior packaging.

So buying loose means buying food and other items without pre-packaging, which lets you buy only the quantity you need, avoiding both food waste and packaging waste.

It is not only cheaper, it is a way of being friendlier to the environment. More and more grocers and local shops are selling loose.

What can I buy loose?

The more traditional loose market covers several categories:

  • Grains and cereals: rice, oats, wheat, corn, quinoa, and so on.
  • Pulses: beans, lentils, chickpeas, and so on.
  • Seeds and nuts: almonds, chestnuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, raisins, dates, figs, apricots, and so on.
  • Spices: pepper, cinnamon, cumin, oregano, and so on.
  • Baking: sugar, cocoa, granola, and so on.
A woman buying dried fruit and berries in a plastic-free shop

The range keeps widening: cleaning products (washing powder, bar soap, detergent) and personal care (shampoo, liquid soap and others) are increasingly sold loose. Beyond those you can find teas, coffees, herbs, flours, oils, fresh fruit and vegetables, among others, though what is on offer varies by region and by shop.

To make sure you buy only what you need, the best rule is to buy slightly less than you think and come back for more if necessary. It avoids waste and keeps you to what you actually use.

How does buying loose reduce food waste?

Have you come across SDG 12, responsible consumption and production? Let me explain how buying loose contributes, because it works in several ways at once.

Buying loose lets you buy only the quantity of food you need, cutting waste, keeping perfectly good food out of the bin, and reducing the natural resources (water, energy), that went into it. On top of that, doing away with pre-packaging keeps tonnes of plastic and other packaging materials out of the waste stream.

Loose shopping usually also means buying from local producers and suppliers, which supports the local economy and helps cut the greenhouse gas emissions that come with transporting goods long distances.

More broadly, it lets you make more conscious choices about what you buy, taking into account the environmental, social and economic impact of producing it.

These are only some of the ways buying loose contributes to SDG 12. It is without doubt a more conscious and sustainable choice, and one that can help build a more balanced world.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying loose?

As with anything, there are advantages and disadvantages, not least because some products are easier to buy loose, or easier to keep, than others.

Advantages of buying loose

  • Less waste: it cuts the waste generated by packaging, which makes for a cleaner, more sustainable environment.
  • Savings: it is generally cheaper than buying packaged goods, since packaging and transport costs come out of the price.
  • More control over quantity: customers buy only what they need, which cuts food waste.
  • Variety: shops selling loose differ from one another, but they generally offer a range that gives you the chance to try new flavours and ingredients.
  • Quality: products are displayed more openly, so you can inspect them before buying, which helps you judge the quality of what you are getting.

Disadvantages of buying loose

  • Storage: some loose products need storing properly, which can be a challenge for some people, especially without the space or the right containers.
  • Contamination: loose products can be contaminated if they are not stored or handled correctly, which can cause health problems.
  • Transport: some loose products are awkward to carry, particularly in larger quantities.
  • Shelf life: loose products usually have a shorter shelf life than packaged ones, which can limit how much you can buy and get through before it expires.
  • Availability: not every product is available loose in every shop, which can narrow your options.

In short, the advantages of buying loose outweigh the disadvantages. It can be an excellent way to cut packaging waste and save money, while letting you try new products and choose the quantity you need.

As for the disadvantages, in my view they are not really problems, because they are easy to work around. But it is worth taking the potential challenges seriously, proper storage, and the possibility of contamination.

The rules that apply to loose goods

The legislation covering loose sales varies by country and region. Broadly, selling loose has to follow the same laws and regulations as packaged goods when it comes to food safety, labelling and quality.

Some of the rules that apply:

  • Labelling: loose products also have to carry the required information, use-by date, product name, ingredients list. Some countries also require nutritional and allergen information.
  • Inspection and food safety: shops have to follow local and national food safety regulations. That can include regular inspections, staff training and appropriate hygiene measures.
  • Weighing: loose products must be weighed on approved measuring equipment, so customers get the quantity they paid for.
  • Storage: loose products have to be stored properly, to prevent contamination and spoilage.
  • Quality control: loose products have to meet the same quality standards as packaged ones, and shops have to check that quality regularly.

Legislation varies by region and country, so if you have questions about the rules where you are, it is worth contacting the local authorities.

Where to buy loose in Portugal

Happily there are several options in Portugal, and more all the time, spread across the country. One efficient way to find shops is the national a granel map, a useful tool built by Catherine Neves, author of the blog RandomCath.

A zero-waste shop selling loose products

Some shops worth knowing:

Maria Granel, several shops in Lisbon, and one of the best known in Portugal.

Mercearia da Cidade, a shop in Lisbon and an online store, so a convenient and flexible option. You can use my promo code JOANA10 on your order.

Miosótis, shops in several cities including Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra, with a wide range of loose products, organic ones among them.

Sabores a Granel, shops in Vila Nova de Gaia and Santa Maria da Feira, with a good range of loose and organic products.

These are only some of the options in Portugal; there are many more shops around the country. It is always worth checking what is available locally.

“March, the month of loose”

As I said at the start, March brings a campaign to show why buying loose matters, what it does for you, and how it contributes to reducing food waste.

It reaches Portugal through the Liga-Ação association, Zero Waste Lab and Maria Granel, with institutional support from the European Commission, the Zero association and Deco. Liga-Ação makes the campaign possible, bringing consumers, distributors, activists and environmental associations together around it.

I hope this article has cleared up the questions that tend to come up about buying loose.

Whether you do it depends on your own needs and preferences, of course. But there is no arguing with the advantages: less waste, more efficient use of resources, lower emissions, responsible consumption and support for the local economy. It also gives you more control over the quantity and the quality of what you buy.

If you start buying loose, tell me. 😊