In Australia’s cities, the fight against single-use plastic has gone from the fringes to the mainstream. People in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide who want to avoid plastic don’t have to worry about whether or not to shop plastic-free anymore; they just have to figure out where to do it. The good news is that a thriving ecosystem of dedicated zero-waste brands has emerged, transforming plastic-free shopping from a cumbersome chore into a convenient, even delightful, lifestyle choice. These trailblazers are changing the way we shop and showing that quality and sustainability can go hand in hand.
This guide highlights five top brands that are important to the plastic-free movement in Australia’s biggest cities. They do more than just sell things in bulk; they are building communities, teaching customers and pushing the whole supply chain to make changes that will last. These brands offer everything you need to cut down on plastic waste in your home, from full refill stations for pantry staples and eco-friendly home goods to stylish personal care and cleaning products. These local heroes give you the simple, useful and motivating tools you need to make a real difference, one refill at a time, whether you’re a longtime zero-waste advocate or just starting out.
The Best 5 Brands for Shopping Without Plastic
These brands were chosen because they have a wide range of products, are committed to ethical sourcing and low-impact operations, have stores in many major cities and are leaders in the zero-waste community.
- The Source Bulk Foods
- Nourished Life
- Flora & Fauna
- Unpackaged Eco
- Zero Co
Detailed Brand Profiles
This is a detailed look at each brand, including their unique model, product philosophy, store experience and how they are helping people in cities live without plastic.
1. The Source Bulk Foods
The Source Bulk Foods is the most well-known and largest network in Australia’s grocery movement that doesn’t use packaging. The Source started on the Sunshine Coast and now has stores in almost every major city and inner suburb. They have made bulk buying available to everyone. Its stores are bright and clean, which is a big difference from old-fashioned health food stores. They offer an extensive selection of over 400 whole foods, spices, oils, snacks and household liquids, all neatly organized. Their model is based on simplicity: you bring your own containers, weigh them, fill them and pay only for the weight of the product.
Website
https://thesourcebulkfoods.com.au
Basic Philosophy and Model
- Mission: To make shopping without packaging easy, cheap and normal.
- Franchise-based network of physical stores that sell dry goods, liquids and some eco-friendly home goods. BYO-container is the main idea (they also sell bags and jars).
- Sourcing: Puts organic, non-GMO and Australian-made products first when possible and provides clear sourcing stories for many of them.
Shopping Experience and Selection of Products
- Things you should always have in your pantry: grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, flours, cereals and dried fruits.
- Liquids and wet goods include oils, vinegar, honey, nut butters, tamari, dish soap and laundry detergent.
- Store Vibe: Friendly, well-organized and staffed by knowledgeable people who help first-time visitors figure things out.
City Presence & Impact
- Locations: Dozens of stores across Sydney (Inner West, Northern Beaches), Melbourne (Fitzroy, St Kilda, Richmond), Brisbane (West End, Paddington), Perth (Mount Lawley, Subiaco) and Adelaide (Hyde Park).
- Plastic Saved: They estimate customers have prevented over 100 million pieces of packaging from entering landfills since inception.
- Community Role: Host workshops and school tours to educate on waste reduction.
What customers think
“The Source” is something I do every week. I fill my jars with everything from pasta and oats to dish soap. It cuts down on the plastic I use at the store by 80%. The stores are so well laid out that it’s actually faster than walking through the aisles of a grocery store and their nuts and spices are top-notch. — Customer, Melbourne
2. Nourished Life
Nourished Life started as an online store for natural, ethical beauty and wellness products. Now, it is a place to buy personal care and lifestyle goods that don’t use plastic. They have a flagship store in Sydney’s Neutral Bay that embodies their values, even though they are mostly an online store. They carefully check the ingredients, ethics and environmental impact of every brand, which makes them a reliable source for people who are confused by greenwashing. Their goal is to help you get rid of plastic in your bathroom, beauty routine and other areas of your life.
Website
https://www.nourishedlife.com.au
Basic Philosophy and Model
- Our mission is to be a reliable place to find natural, safe and eco-friendly products that are good for people and the planet.
- Model: An online store with a strong editorial voice (through blogs and guides) and one main physical store. They look for and promote brands that use packaging that is free of plastic, can be refilled and can be composted.
- Curated Standards: No animal testing, no synthetic scents and packaging that is as small as possible and can be recycled or composted.
Shopping Experience and Selection of Products
- Beauty and Skin Care: A wide range of hair, skin and makeup products from brands like Ethique (solid bars), KOi and Nourished Life’s own label. These products often come in glass, aluminum, or compostable packaging.
- Personal Care: Plastic-free deodorants (paste or cardboard), bamboo toothbrushes, safety razors and menstrual cups.
- Lifestyle & Home: Natural cleaning concentrates, beeswax wraps, stainless steel lunchboxes and organic cotton products.
- Online Experience: Excellent filtering options for “plastic-free,” “vegan,” “refillable,” etc., with detailed product information.
The city’s presence and effect
- The flagship store is in Neutral Bay, Sydney and it’s a place to learn by doing.
- National Reach: They ship all over Australia, so anyone can get plastic-free beauty products, no matter where they live.
- Impact: Supports small, ethical brands and teaches people about living without waste and being open about what goes into their products.
Customer Verdict
“Nourished Life is where I go for beauty products that are safe and don’t contain plastic. They helped me find my favorite solid shampoo bar and moisturizer in glass jars. Their blog taught me the right way to recycle beauty products. More than just a store, it’s a lesson in how to buy things mindfully. – Client, Sydney/Online
3. Flora & Fauna
Flora & Fauna is another big online ethical marketplace that is often thought of as a direct competitor to Nourished Life. It focuses on vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable living. They put a lot of emphasis on alternatives to plastic in all areas of life. Their strength comes from their huge, well-organized collection of eco-friendly swaps for everyday things like gifts, travel and kitchen and bathroom items. They make it easy and reliable to find a version of almost anything that doesn’t have plastic in it.
Website
https://www.floraandfauna.com.au
Core Philosophy & Model
- Mission: To make it easy to shop ethically and sustainably, offering products that are good for you, animals and the planet.
- Model: Online-focused retailer with a massive, curated catalogue. They have a physical outlet in Alexandria, Sydney, which also operates as their warehouse and a showroom.
- Ethical Filters: Strong focus on vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil-free and sustainable materials.
Shopping Experience and Selection of Products
- Home & Kitchen: A huge selection of reusable items, like silicone food bags, compost bins, unpaper towels, glass storage and bamboo cutlery sets.
- Body & Beauty: Like Nourished Life, but with a wider range of bar-form products, refillable makeup and natural skincare in eco-friendly packaging.
- On-the-Go: Great for city living with reusable coffee cups, water bottles, lunch kits and sets of cutlery.
- Shopping Experience: The website lets you filter by values (plastic-free, vegan, Australian-made) and has useful “swap this for that” guides.
- Physical Outlet: Alexandria, Sydney (warehouse location where you can pick up online orders or shop in person).
- National Reach: As one of the best places to shop online, they ship to all major cities quickly and often use carbon-neutral shipping methods and plastic-free mailers.
- Impact: Because of their size, they can work with suppliers to make packaging better, which has an effect on the whole supply chain.
What customers think
“I found 10 different options on Flora & Fauna when I decided to stop using plastic wraps. ” I could get a whole basket of plastic-free goodies when I needed a gift that would last. I can shop with confidence because their filters are so good. The pickup point in Sydney is a plus. – Customer, Brisbane/Online
4. Unpackaged Eco
Unpackaged Eco represents the next wave of hyper-local, community-focused zero-waste stores. Originating in Melbourne and now expanding, these stores are often independently owned but share a common, deeply ethical sourcing model. They are intimate neighborhood hubs that go beyond groceries to offer a carefully chosen selection of plastic-free home, body and lifestyle products, often highlighting local makers and social enterprises.
Website
Basic Philosophy and Model
- Mission: To help people in local communities live in a way that is good for the environment by giving them groceries and other products that don’t come in packages.
- Model: A group of stores owned by people in the area (mostly in Melbourne and Victoria, but growing) that are either member-owned cooperatives or independent businesses, all under the Unpackaged Eco name.
- Hyper-Local and Ethical: A big focus on local businesses, social enterprises and products with a story.
Shopping Experience and Selection of Products
- Grocery Refills: Similar to The Source, this store offers carefully selected local brands, such as Victorian oats and Melbourne-made pasta.
- Home & Body: A beautiful selection of local soaps, ceramic dishes, handmade brushes, natural cleaning products and reusable items.
- Community Feel: The stores are small and serve as community centers, with bulletin boards, workshops on how to fix things or make fermented foods and staff who are very knowledgeable and passionate.
- BYO or Borrow: Strong container borrowing systems (jar libraries) for people who forget their own.
The city’s presence and effect
- Locations: Several stores in Melbourne (Thornbury, Elsternwick, Fitzroy North, etc.), with more stores opening in regional Victoria and plans to open stores in other states.
- Impact: Keeps the supply chain very short, helps local economies and builds real community around living in a way that is good for the environment. Their model shows that small, ethical retail can work.
What customers think
“Unpackaged Eco in Thornbury is my local hero.” I know the people who own the jars and they know me. They have my favorite local ceramic mug and honey from a beekeeper who lives 10 kilometers away. It’s not just shopping; it’s a way to connect with my community. The advice is personal and very helpful. — Customer, Melbourne
5. Zero Co
Zero Co has a unique, direct-to-consumer and impact-focused way of dealing with the problem of single-use plastics, especially in the areas of home cleaning and personal care. Their model is very clever and simple: you buy a set of beautiful, permanent, refillable bottles and dispensers once and then you can order high-quality products that come in flexible, reusable pouches that last forever. You send back the empty bags in a prepaid satchel and Zero Co cleans and refills them in a closed-loop system that aims for “100% infinite reuse.”
Basic Philosophy and Model
- Goal: To stop using plastic once, starting at home.
- Model: DTC subscription or one-time purchase. The “Forever Bottles” and “Refill Pouch” system is meant to make it so that you never have to buy new plastic bottles again.
- Closed-Loop Innovation: They promise to clean and reuse every returned pouch at least 20 times before recycling them into new pouches.
Shopping Experience and Selection of Products
- Cleaning Arsenal: Sells sets for cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and other areas (surface spray, dish soap, laundry liquid, etc.).
- Body Care: Recently added hand wash, body wash, shampoo and conditioner to the same refill model.
- Convenience and Design: The bottles are both stylish and useful and the refill pouches are small, which cuts down on shipping emissions. With the subscription model, you’ll never run out.
- Tracking Impact: We provide customers with updates on the number of single-use bottles they have stopped using.
City Presence & Impact
- Primary Channel: Online, shipping nationwide to all cities.
- Physical Pop-Ups: Frequently hosts pop-up stalls at markets and events in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to raise awareness and sign up customers.
- Impact: They focus on large-scale, measurable plastic elimination (with a public counter of bottles saved) and invest profits into large-scale environmental cleanup projects.
What customers think
Zero Co helped me get over my guilt about buying heavy plastic bottles of cleaning supplies. The Forever bottles look wonderful in both my kitchen and bathroom. Putting the empty refill pouch in the reply-paid envelope feels like a big win. It’s the easiest and most important change I’ve made to go plastic-free. – Customer, Perth/Online
Living without plastic in Australian cities is no longer a hard path to follow. The Source Bulk Foods, Nourished Life, Flora & Fauna, Unpackaged Eco and Zero Co are five brands that have made strong, easy-to-reach and inspiring ways for real change to happen. They meet a wide range of needs, from a full grocery store makeover and curated beauty products to daily eco-friendly swaps, hyper-local community centers and cutting-edge closed-loop systems.
When you buy something from one of these brands, you’re voting for a different kind of economy—one that values community, circularity and honesty over convenience at the cost of the environment. Not only are you cutting down on your own waste by supporting them, but you’re also helping a movement that wants all stores to do better. You are making a real difference for cleaner cities and a healthier planet, whether you start with a single jar of oats from The Source or a full home-cleaning kit from Zero Co. The evidence shows that living without plastic is not only possible but also getting easier and more rewarding in Australia’s major cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Isn’t shopping without plastic more expensive?
Not always. Buying in bulk, like at The Source, usually costs less per gram than buying pre-packaged food at the grocery store, especially for staples. You pay for quality, concentration and ethics when you buy home and body products, but you also don’t have to pay for packaging. Reusable items, like Zero Co bottles, save money over time. Mindful shopping is the key. Buying only what you need cuts down on food and product waste, which is the best way to save money.
2. What do I need to begin? How many jars do you have?
Start with something small! You don’t need many jars in your kitchen. Start with:
- 5 to 10 different glass jars and containers, like old pickle jars and pasta sauce jars.
- Include a few cloth bags to hold bulk items and loose fruits and vegetables.
- You should also carry a permanent marker for label writing. Go to a store like The Source or Unpackaged Eco: The staff are always happy to help people who are new to the weigh-and-tare process.
3. How can I buy things online without getting plastic mailers?
The best brands, like Nourished Life and Flora & Fauna, are proud to use shipping materials that are plastic-free, compostable, or can be reused. Before you order, always look at the brand’s “Shipping & Packaging” policy. The main idea behind Zero Co is to use pouches that can be reused or returned.
4. Are these stores only in the suburbs of big cities?
The movement started in the inner city, but it is growing quickly. The Source has stores in many suburbs in the middle ring. Online stores like Nourished Life, Flora & Fauna and Zero Co let you shop from anywhere, no matter what your postcode is. The model is also making its way to regional centers.
5. Is it possible for me to find everything I need?
You can find most of the things you need for your pantry, cleaning your home and taking care of yourself. Some specific branded goods or perishables, like meat and dairy alternatives, may still come in packaging, but the range is getting bigger every day. The goal is a big drop, but perfection is unattainable.
6. What about cleanliness with bulk bins and refills?
Well-known stores follow strict hygiene rules. It is normal for bins to be fed by gravity and liquid dispensers to be sealed. It is safe and encouraged to use your clean, dry containers. Stores sell sterile spouts and funnels for liquids like soap and oil. The system is meant to be clean and not touch anything.
