Zerowaste Shopping Online
Shopping from your home
Not everything you need can be found on Paros yet, but there are many zero-waste shops in Greece for buying things online and it’s great to support places that sell more sustainable products.
That said, keep in mind that sometimes we don't really need to buy any more stuff, but can reuse, repair or upcycle what we already have. Also, when you place an order, remember to ask for things to be shipped plastic-free, as not all “eco” shops necessarily send their products that way.
Where to buy online
The first place to look is probably Etsy, searching for sellers in Greece who make home-made deodorant or sunscreen, for example. Using Etsy is also a good way of supporting small businesses.
At Plastikourgeio Athens you will find reusable coffee cups, straws, bottles, produce and tote bags, as well as cutlery, hygiene products such as deodorant, solid shampoo, soaps, bamboo toothbrushes, natural wooden brushes for the dishes, and coconut scrubs. Another great thing about this shop is that they are actively campaigning against needless waste: organising an annual Zerowaste festival, starting a plastic-free drinks campaign, and setting up Greece’s first precious plastics lab.
Use Google Translate to read Sapontina in English. where you will find a large variety of zero-waste and natural personal hygiene and home products, as well as all sorts of reusable items. They also sell a reusable period cup and pads.
Yoki also has many reusables, including cups, straws, lunch-boxes, bottles and bags. They sell some great organic tee-shirts too..
Ecolife sells reusable bottles and coffee cups.
Living Green has stainless and bamboo straws.
For reusable razors, the only source I have found so far is Amazon Italy (Merkur long handed). These Shark blades or Bic ones are wrapped in cardboard and paper. Remember to dry the blades after use, which means they last a lot longer.
Rosmarino is a small business based in a village near Larissa. They have very good soaps, have herbal extracts and ointments. All the products are plant-based, handmade and Greek, and the entire production process uses minimal energy and produces no waste (though when you place an order you need to be specific about not wanting any plastic wrappers or packaging). I especially like the calendula soaps that doesn’t dry the skin, and can be used on the face.
IAMA Herbs & Treatments Amorgos sell essential oils made in Amorgos, which is pretty local.
Please let me know if you have updates on what’s available and where, or any recommendations of good new sites.