First No-Packaging Supermarket In the Czech Republic to Open In Prague

Non-profit organization Bezobalu (Without Packaging) launched a pilot project in Vinohrady last year offering customers the opportunity to purchase loose dried nuts, spices, cereals, and legumes that are carried home in reusable jars and sacks.

The project was a huge success. “We found out it is very much in demand, not only by our clients, but also by people in the regions who to want open their own shops and who asked for our help,” says Lena Nagode of the Zero Waste initiative.

Bezobalu on Bělehradská / Photo: FB

After raising over 1.1 million CZK, about a quarter more than initially necessary, during what was one of the largest crowd-funding collections on the Hithit.com portal to date, the group will now open a commercial enterprise with a wider assortment of goods later this year.

Photo: Bezobalu.org

Bezobalu founder Petr Hanzel / Photo: FB

Photo: Bezobalu / FB

The shop should be open in September. Prices should be lower than those of standard groceries falling within the BIO/organic food classification; according to Zero Waste, packaging reflects 10 percent of the cost, especially for drugstore items and cosmetics. (For a current price list see here.)

If you missed out on the campaign and would still like to contribute, the organization is hosting shopping events at the Lush store in Palladium today and tomorrow from 11am-9pm; proceeds from Chartiy Pot lotions go to the Bezobalu Institute.