Unpackaged, a local organic grocery store in Islington, does exactly what it says on the …er… eco-friendly tin.

The shop sells everything in bulk and has banned almost all packaging, encouraging shoppers to bring their own containers and rewarding them with a discount for doing so.

London’s landfill sites are on the brink of overflowing, so the need to reduce packaging has never been so serious. Catherine Conway, the founder of Unpackaged - (and voted number 32 in the Observer Food Monthly Top 40 Eco Food Heroes), has proved that one person really can make a difference.

We met Catherine on a busy weekday evening and were struck by the shop's community vibe. There was a steady stream of customers, one after the other: a father and son stocking up on organic fruit and veg, a suited business man scooping up pasta and pulses, and a trendy twenty-something needing some wine and 20p worth of flour for his dinner. Unpackaged really does cater for everyone.

Find out more at www.beunpackaged.com. We really do recommend you give this place a try! And remember:

Reduce by only buying what you need
Reuse by bringing your containers for a refill
Recycle what you can’t reuse
And... if you can't reuse or recycle it, then don't buy it!