Your Guide to Zero Waste Stores in San Diego
Want to decrease your impact on the planet and not sure where to start? Check out our resource guide to help you find your nearest zero waste store in San Diego, plus additional resources dedicated to creating a greener – and more sustainable – San Diego!
Going zero waste may seem like a daunting task at first but once you immerse yourself into the community, ideas and support keep on flowing! You can start by reducing and replacing one item a week with a more sustainable option. If you find yourself wanting to do more, join a composting business or build one in your backyard.
What is zero waste?
Zero Waste is a global movement focusing on a set of guiding principles that strive towards eliminating waste. The Zero Waste International Alliance says it is “ the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.”
What to bring to a zero waste store in San Diego
Depending on what you need and where you are going, you may need to bring your own reusable bags, jars, tupperwares, and boxes. Some zero waste shops will have these handy for an extra price. You can also get creative by saving the jar from yesterday’s pasta sauce or reusing your empty shampoo and detergent containers.
Photo Credit: Nada Shop
Zero Waste Stores in San Diego
Bristlecone Market
Delivering organic, plastic free food to your doorstep, the Bristlecone Market delivers a variety of grains, in-season produce, and more! Their mission is to increase the health of the community while preserving the environment.
Destination Baby Co.
Leave your bulky baby gear at home! Destination Baby rents out cribs, high chairs, car seats, bouncers to folks traveling to the San Diego County area. Pick up locally or Destination Baby can deliver and set up your gear for you.
Earthwell Refill
A family owned business, Earthwell Refill offers selfcare items, household cleaners, and more! In addition to their refill products, they offer a carefully selected assortment of unique retail items fromlocal vendors such as candles, bracelets, earrings, leather goods, and art.
4114 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
Local Scoop x The Nada Shop
The Nada Shop and Local Scoop have teamed up to become North County’s one-stop-shop for package-free grocery, household and body care products. The store carries fresh produce, bulk goods, household cleaners and supplies, plus skin care needs, refill stations and so much more!
937 S Coast Hwy 101 Suite C-110, Encinitas, CA 92024
The Mighty Bin
Now open in North Park, The Mighty Bin provides a convenient way to shop for package-free and toxin-free grocery items with fresh produce, bulk grocery items and household goods. This one-stop shop is also partnering up with Humble Servants of the Worm Compost Collective as an official compost drop-off site for your organic compostable waste.
2855 El Cajon Blvd Suite 4, San Diego, CA 92104
Positive Phee
Upcycling and sustainable fashion stylist Sophie Hague aka Positive Phee hosts in-person clothing swap and styling events across San Diego County.
Website: positivephee.com
Reap + Sow
A green beauty, well-being apothecary and zero waste store and eco-boutique, Reap + Sow makes living a healthy, eco-conscious life approachable and fun. You can discover 450+ brands covering personal care, zero-waste bulk refill, crystals, teas, plants, and more.
1830 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054
Sonora Refillery
Offering plastic free alternatives to bath, body, and home products, the Sonora Refillery Inspires creativity and balance by customizing the products you come in contact with. All of their products are made in the USA, are sulfate free, and paraben free.
1012 S Coast Hwy Suite A, Oceanside, CA 92054
Scisters Salon
The Scisters Salon is San Diego’s first zero waste salon that offers beauty products in bulk and various other supplies for living a zero waste, intentional lifestyle. Partnered with Green Circle to divert the beauty waste that is produced, the hair clippings from the salon now help clean up oil spills, the foil and color tubes are melted down to make new products, and leftover color is turned into clean energy.
7957 University Ave, La Mesa, CA 91942
Too Good to Go
Too Good to Go is a mobile app that lists daily surplus items from local San Diego grocery stores + restaurants. Customers can then buy these items at 1/3 of the usual retail cost, starting at $4 for a Surprise Bag. Partnering businesses include Blackmarket Bakery, MRKT Space, Local Scoop, Pannikin, Pappalecco and Nomad Donuts. Read the full article about Too Good To Go to learn more.
Your local grocery store
Check out your local health food store like Sprouts, Lazy Acres, Jimbo’s, Whole Foods, Seaside Market and OB Peoples for minimally packaged produce and refill stations for grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and more!
Your local farmers’ market
Check out your local farmers’ market for fruits, vegetables, and other delicious goods for some zero waste alternatives. Usually the fresh produce is free from plastic packaging and you may also find baked goods you can store in your own containers.
Local Resources + Groups
SD Fix It Clinic
The SD Fix It Clinic is a do-it-together disassembly workshop that is offered at local libraries and/or Makerspaces. This is a place where trades people around the community come together to share their skills with their fellow neighbors on how to troubleshoot and repair their appliances, clothes, electronics and so much more!
I Love a Clean San Diego
This local nonprofit often hosts free webinars on sustainability, recycling, waste reduction and zero-waste lifestyle solutions.
Buy Nothing Project
The Buy Nothing Project is a worldwide gift economy network that offers a platform for community members to give and receive, share, lend, and express gratitude. This is the perfect place for you to donate those items you do not use anymore or to receive a hand-me-down of that one thing you’ve been needing.
San Diego County Freecycle Group
Similar to the Buy Nothing Project, San Diego County Freecycle Group is a place for community members to donate items they no longer need or to find items they are in need of. This group is for all members around San Diego county and is another great platform to support the global zero waste movement.
The Compost Group
Specializing in community composting for large-scale organic waste producers like restaurants, businesses and grocery stores, The Compost Group also offers buckets and drop off locations for individuals who would also like to be a part of this zero waste movement.
Your local grocery store
Check out your local health food store like Sprouts, Lazy Acres, Jimbo’s, Whole Foods, and OB Peoples for minimally packaged produce and refill stations for grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and more!
Your local farmers’ market
Check out your local farmers’ market for fruits, vegetables, and other delicious goods for some zero waste alternatives. Usually the fresh produce is free from plastic packaging and you may also find baked goods you can store in your own containers.
Give Zero Waste a Try!
Every year 139.6 million tons of waste is placed into our landfills and each of us has the key to transforming this habit into something greener. With your support of these rising zero waste businesses, convenience and sustainability begin to hold hands. Share your progress and inspire others through your change, and don’t forget the ripple that you as an individual can make. Support these local zero waste stores in San Diego!
Looking for More Healthy Living Resources?
Explore our Events Calendar for upcoming yoga events, meditation classes and wellness workshops around San Diego. Or browse all of our Wellbeing articles for the latest wellness news and trends!
More from Food
View All Food
