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Since 2003, Chamarel has worked on making zero-waste altenatives, often sold loose.
Buying in bulk is one of the simplest ways to reduce packaging waste without turning everyday life upside down. Instead of bringing home individual portions, plastic bags, over-packaged products and disposable bottles, bulk shopping brings consumption back to something more sensible: choosing the right quantity, using reusable containers and avoiding waste before it is even created.
The strength of bulk shopping is that it acts at the source. Recycling has its place, but the cleanest packaging is still the one that was never produced, transported, stored and processed. When you avoid single-use packaging, you reduce the environmental impact of your shopping and regain control over your cupboards, your quantities and your routine.
Bulk buying is not reserved for perfectly organised zero waste households. You can start with a few easy products, then expand slowly to cleaning refills, solid bathroom products, reusable kitchen accessories and more durable home habits. The point is not to be flawless. The point is to create a routine you can keep.
In France, bulk shopping has moved from a niche practice to a much more visible consumer habit. Data cited by ADEME and INC indicate that 4 French households out of 10 have tried or adopted bulk shopping, with a significant share of regular buyers. The trend reflects a wider shift: consumers want less plastic, less food waste and more practical ways to shop responsibly.
To understand how bulk shopping fits into a wider transition, you can also read our guide to zero waste living and responsible consumption.
Bulk shopping has developed strongly in France over the last decade. According to figures cited by ADEME and INC, 4 French households out of 10 are reported to use bulk shopping, and almost half of them are regular buyers. This means millions of households already use bulk buying as part of their everyday shopping routine.
The sector has also grown quickly: the bulk market in France rose from around 100 million euros in 2013 to 1.3 billion euros in 2020, with later estimates above 3 billion euros. Bulk is no longer limited to specialist shops. It is now present in organic stores, supermarkets, drive services, e-commerce and independent zero waste retailers.
For consumers, this development reflects two major concerns: reducing packaging waste and reducing food waste. In practice, bulk shopping answers both: you avoid unnecessary packaging and you buy closer to what you really need.
Buying in bulk means buying products without individual disposable packaging, or with packaging reduced as much as possible, while choosing the quantity you want. In a shop, the product may be available in a dispenser, silo, jar, box, barrel or large container. The customer fills a reusable container and pays by weight, volume or unit.
Bulk does not mean absolute zero packaging. Shops still receive products in logistical packaging such as large sacks, boxes or buckets. The real objective is to reduce the final consumer packaging: small bags, trays, films, blisters, single portions and multi-layer cartons that usually end up in the household bin after one use.
Bulk shopping also gives you freedom. You can buy 200 g of lentils for a few meals, a small quantity of tea to try, or a refill of household cleaner without committing to a standard pre-packed size. This makes it easier to reduce waste and keep cupboards simple.
In practical terms, bulk shopping combines two ideas: the shop provides products without individual sales packaging, and the customer chooses the desired quantity using a reusable or refillable container. The container may be brought from home or provided on site.
The most obvious benefit is the reduction of disposable packaging. Every reusable bag, jar or box replaces a series of single-use packs. Over time, this can make a visible difference in the household bin, especially for dry goods, snacks, cleaning refills and bathroom products.
Bulk shopping lets you buy the quantity you need rather than the quantity imposed by packaging. This is useful when testing a new product, cooking for a smaller household, refilling a container or avoiding duplicate products in the cupboard.
Clear jars, labelled containers and visible stocks make the kitchen easier to manage. You see what you have, you buy what is missing, and you avoid forgotten half-open packs at the back of the shelf.
Bulk shopping works best when containers are reused many times, trips are grouped with usual grocery shopping, and the products chosen replace repeated single-use packaging. It is not about buying a full set of new accessories. It is about using what you have and making it last.
You do not need to buy everything new. Reusing jam jars, coffee jars or glass bottles is often enough to begin. The most sustainable container is often the one already in your cupboard.
The biggest obstacle is often not motivation, but forgetting the bags. Keep a small set of clean bags in a tote bag, backpack, car boot or bicycle basket. When the kit is always ready, bulk shopping becomes easy.
Labels are useful for products that look alike: flours, sugars, powders, cleaning refills and dried goods. A washable label, a small paper tag or an erasable marker is enough to avoid confusion.
Choose products you already use regularly: pasta, rice, oats, lentils, nuts or a simple cleaning refill. Starting with familiar products makes the routine easier to keep.
A bulk list should be precise enough to avoid impulse buying. Check what is already at home, decide the approximate quantities and avoid buying duplicates because the shelf looks appealing.
Containers must be clean, dry and suitable for the product. Do not mix uses: a container used for cleaning products should not be reused for food, and the other way around.
Some shops weigh the empty container first, then subtract its weight at checkout. If you are unsure, ask the staff. A clear tare system avoids paying for the container weight.
Transfer products into jars or storage containers if needed, label them and place the newest stock behind the older one. This simple rotation prevents forgotten products and reduces waste.
Bulk shopping is compatible with hygiene when simple rules are followed. Shops provide utensils, dispensers and instructions for a reason. The customer also has a role: bringing clean containers, using the right scoop, avoiding hand contact with products and closing containers properly.
Avoid touching products directly, mixing food and non-food containers, storing powders in damp cupboards or leaving unlabelled refills at home. Bulk shopping becomes safe and easy when each product has a clear place and purpose.
The easiest entry point is dry food, because it is stable, easy to weigh and simple to store. But bulk shopping can go much further, especially when combined with refill formats, solid products and durable accessories.
Cleaning refills are especially relevant because they replace repeated plastic bottles. To explore this side of the routine, discover Chamarrel's range of eco-friendly home cleaning solutions.
Solid soap, solid shampoo, deodorant bars and washable accessories can reduce bathroom packaging dramatically. They are not always sold in bulk in the strict sense, but they fit the same logic: fewer disposable containers, fewer unnecessary formats and longer-lasting use.
Reusable bags, jars, washable cloths, natural sponges and bottle-free water routines help make bulk shopping part of a complete low waste home. Browse the zero waste home and kitchen selection for practical everyday accessories.
Bulk buying is one of the most concrete tools in a zero waste lifestyle because it prevents waste before purchase. Instead of buying a product and then wondering how to recycle the packaging, you avoid the packaging at the point of sale.
This approach is also close to one of the most important zero waste habits: refusing what you do not need. Before buying, ask whether the product, quantity or packaging is necessary. This mindset is explored in our article on refusing as the first zero waste reflex.
The best routine is progressive: reduce the most frequent packaging first, keep useful containers, buy the right quantity and replace disposable accessories only when a durable alternative makes daily life easier.
Bulk reduces packaging. Durable products reduce disposables. Together, they create a much stronger long-term routine than either approach alone.
Reusable jars, bulk bags, natural sponges and washable cloths turn the kitchen into the easiest place to start. To reduce plastic bottles further, Binchotan charcoal for tap water and EM ceramic beads can complement a low waste water routine.
Solid soap, solid shampoo, washable pads and good storage accessories reduce bottles, tubes and single-use cotton pads. The key is to keep products dry so they last longer.
Refills and concentrated products reduce bottles, but reusable tools matter just as much. A reusable compostable cleaning cloth or a zero waste cleaning sponge helps replace disposable wipes and synthetic sponges.
A sudden all-or-nothing approach often fails. Start with a few products and build confidence. A stable 30% bulk routine is better than a perfect routine that lasts two weeks.
Bulk shopping is not about collecting pretty jars. It is about reuse. Before buying new accessories, reuse jars, boxes and bags that already exist at home.
Moisture, light and confusion can spoil a good routine. Store dry products in airtight containers, keep labels clear and rotate stock regularly.
Keep a dedicated bulk kit ready. If the bags are always in the same place, you are much more likely to use them.
Transparent jars and visible shelves reduce forgotten products. When you can see your stock, you cook with it and buy less by reflex.
Place older products at the front and newer products behind them. This simple habit prevents waste and keeps the cupboard moving.
Labelling is essential for products that look similar: flours, sugars, powders, cleaning products and liquid refills. A simple label can prevent mistakes and make the routine safer.
Bulk shopping can be economical because you buy the right quantity, reduce food waste, avoid duplicated products and reuse containers. The saving is often visible over time rather than on one isolated receipt.
Bulk is not automatically cheaper per kilo or per litre. Prices depend on the product, brand, shop, quality and distribution channel. The right question is not only "is this cheaper today?", but "does this routine reduce waste, avoid unused products and simplify repeat purchases?"
The most useful reading is this: bulk becomes economical when it supports a clearer, more measured routine.
Reuse is the heart of bulk shopping. The more often a container is reused, the more sense it makes environmentally. Buying new zero waste containers again and again without using them enough reduces the real benefit.
Transport matters. It is better to integrate bulk shopping into a trip you already make than to drive a long distance for a tiny quantity. Consistency beats symbolic perfection.
Start where the packaging is frequent: bottled water, cleaning bottles, snack packets, dry food packs and bathroom bottles. These categories make the change visible and motivating.
A truly ecological bulk routine depends on the whole chain: supply, shop management, transport, storage, hygiene and use at home. A good bulk habit is well supplied, well managed, well stored and repeated over time.
Family life creates many packaging moments: school snacks, picnics, lunchboxes and after-school habits. Bulk shopping makes it easier to prepare portions at home in reusable boxes, without multiplying single-use packets.
Bulk makes quantity visible. Children can understand "just enough" by filling a bag, weighing it, storing it and seeing what remains. It is concrete, practical and often more engaging than a moral lecture about waste.
It is also a good opportunity to teach simple hygiene habits: use the scoop, do not touch food with hands, close containers, store products in a dry place and respect shop instructions.
For a bulk grocery shop, organic store, zero waste boutique or responsible concept store, the performance of the bulk section is not only about food dispensers. It depends on the whole ecosystem: containers, accessories, cleaning products, refills, solid care and clear customer guidance.
A strong bulk offer must be easy to understand. It is not enough to install dispensers. Customers need clean equipment, clear labelling, visible instructions, adapted containers and a reassuring purchase experience.
To help customers take action, you can also discover Chamarrel essentials for the home, zero waste kitchen, ecological cleaning and durable accessories.
It means buying products without disposable individual packaging, choosing the quantity you need and using reusable containers. The product is usually dispensed from a larger container and paid for by weight, volume or unit.
Often, but not always per kilo. The real saving comes from buying the right quantity, reducing food waste, avoiding duplicate products and reusing containers over time.
Reusable bags, jars and airtight boxes work well. They must be clean, dry and suited to the product. Avoid using the same container for food and non-food refills.
Start with two or three products you already use, such as rice, pasta, oats or lentils. Once the routine is easy, move on to cleaning refills, solid care products and durable accessories.
Yes, when shop rules are followed and containers are clean. Use the utensils provided, avoid touching products directly and store everything properly at home.
Cleaning refills, some hygiene products, solid cosmetics and durable accessories can all fit into a bulk or low waste routine. The aim is to reduce repeated packaging and disposable items.
It is very effective for reducing packaging when containers are reused and shopping trips are not multiplied unnecessarily. The best routine is consistent, well organised and realistic.
Buying in Bulk: A Practical Guide to Cutting Packaging Every Day
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