Burka
The Burka shop was among the first in Latvia to open their doors as well as discussion on the importance of preserving the ecology of our green country through more conscious consumption. Here you can weigh and buy package—free food, so you get just the amount you need. You can also find household goods and beauty products. Burka demonstrates that avoiding unnecessary packaging not only improves nature, but also finances.
The interior is an example of how aesthetically pleasing a space can look if you treat the available resources with care: renovated old furniture, reusable crockery and eco—friendly decorations.
At Burka, anyone can exchange containers: cans, boxes, bags and crockery. You can even leave candle stubs here! Burka also offers hazardous waste disposal, particularly batteries.
On the shop’s website you can learn more about the principles of zero waste and how to change your daily consumption habits.
Address: Kr. Barona 59/61, Riga
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Bodnīca
Environmental care starts at home. Bodnīca is a family—run shop that helps you make your home more environmentally friendly as well as beautiful. Here you can find products for cleaning, body care, crockery, hygiene products in environmentally friendly packaging.
Their elegant wooden, metal and glass utensils can help decorate your interior.
On the shop’s website you can find healthy and tasty recipes and learn how to take care of your body with the most common means—like baking soda or oatmeal—and read about current environmental issues.
Address: Slokas 130A–11, Riga
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Zaļais kalns
The zero waste shop “Green Mountain” was created to combat the huge “not—so green” mountains of rubbish. It is located in the hall of the Agenskalns market, one of local residents’ favourite markets. Here you’ll always be served in a friendly manner, because everyone involved is a like—minded person who wants to aid in the difficult mission of protecting the planet.
Here you can buy ingredients to make your food tastier and healthier. Zaļais kalns also offers stainless steel cookware, a handy mushroom knife for the autumn season, a charcoal water filter alongside much more, for example, body massage brushes.
Be warned: it’s hard not to come back here again after you’ve tried the speciality jelly sweets made of natural fruit juice, as well as their other sweet and savoury snacks.
Address: Nometņu iela 64 Riga
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Livin
Livin is one of the largest eco—shop chains in the Baltics, which is growing rapidly. They have over four thousand products from all over the world on display here: from safe home care products to items for those who adhere to different diets. All of them have one thing in common: they are all organically made with care for people and nature.
The shop team scrutinises the composition of the products and their compliance with the relevant environmental standards.
Livin shops have whole shelves of zero waste products. Among them are pet food, oils in ceramic bottles, various tinned foods and unusual sauces that you won’t find in ordinary supermarkets.
There is a Livin zero waste shop on Barona Street, where you can find packageless goods. The assortment includes cereals, pasta and snacks, as well as meat and dairy.
The address of the shop is Kr. Barona iela 24/26. Othere locations here.
The website
Lavandas
This eco—goods shop is located on Elizabetes Street in the quiet centre area. What to look for: cosmetics, delicious food and things for your kids. The online shop also has many items for those who care about the environment and personal health: you can browse through colourful carrier bags, aroma lamps, fruit washers, flasks and sets of utensils.
The shop’s website offers information on natural cosmetics as well as healthy recipes.
Address: Elizabetes iela 25, Rīga
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KUULE
Latvia’s landscapes seem to be an inspiration for health and environmental care all by themselves. The KUULE bio and zero waste shop was created out of love for people and their land. It is located in one of the most picturesque towns in Latvia: Kuldiga.
Their shelves carry many ecological Latvian farmers’ products.
Here you can buy flour, cereals, pasta and more in your own reusable containers. A special pride of KUULE are their handmade sweets: delicate marshmallows, marmalades, puffed rice and date candies.
The cosy space of the shop and warm—hearted staff make you want to come back over and over.
Adress: Liepājas iela 18, Kuldīga
Their website.
Ieber
Ieber is owned by a family of five. It is therefore no coincidence that this is not only a zero waste shop (located in Cēsis), but also an educational platform.
The owners pay close attention to educating future generations about the importance of respecting the planet. On the website you’ll find educational videos for children, lots of useful information, lectures and workshops for all ages.
In addition, Ieber will be happy to organise a tour or workshop in the shop for schoolchildren and anyone interested in learning more about zero waste culture.
Address: Pļavas iela 13, Cēsis
Brivais veikals
Brīvais veikals is located in the small town of Ikšķile ( in the Ogre region). It offers its customers only the best produce, grown without the use of pesticides or chemical additives. Here you will find vegetables from organic farms in Latvia, and you can also buy packagless food.
You will want to come back here—at the least for their different varieties of freshly baked homemade bread, including gluten—free.
In addition to bread, Brivais veikals also offers ready meals. All of them are made from organic produce, some of which grows right in the garden on the shop’s premises. The menu changes regularly and is published on their facebook page.
Local sweets and ice—cream will surely leave no one indifferent.
Address: Rīgas iela 175, Ikšķile
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Rimi
Now the bigger shops are also trying to follow the zero waste trend and reduce unnecessary rubbish. Rimi supermarkets now have shelves where goods are sold without packaging or with environmentally friendly variants.
The first partners in this endeavour are cosmetics shop Stenders and eco company Seal.
The website
Zero waste Latvija
It is not as difficult as it seems to become a more conscious consumer and return to what was the norm for previous generations. You can find out everything you need to know about zero waste culture on the Zero waste Latvija website.
This organisation fights against environmental pollution. It popularised the principles of zero waste among the population and supports initiatives that implement better production practices. They organise lectures, workshops and consultations.
Their website