New Year’s Resolution #1: Going Zero-Waste with OUNI
By Irina Roman Enescu
For our first New Year’s Resolution of 2022, “Go zero-waste”, we visited the heart of the zero-waste movement in Luxembourg, OUNI:
Walking into OUNI, Luxembourg’s first zero-waste store located on Rue Glesener, I was warmly greeted by Bernardo Ferreira, a current apprentice at the shop. OUNI, an acronym for Organic Unpackaged Natural Ingredients, also means ‘without’ in Luxembourgish! Though the first of its kind in Luxembourg, packaging-free shops have been gaining popularity across the globe as people attempt to reduce their waste. Since the birth of OUNI, multiple package-free shops have also been springing up around the country, Bernardo tells me proudly. According to Zero Waste Europe, the overall aim of the zero-waste movement is to conserve “all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse and recovery of products, packaging and materials”.
ZERO-WASTE SHOPPING
Bernardo Ferreira showed us around the OUNI store at Gare
Surrounded by shelves of loose tea leaves, bamboo toothbrushes and dry foods, Bernardo began explaining the concept of OUNI and packaging-free shopping. Everything is stored in large, clear dispensers and customers are encouraged to buy whole-foods in bulk. Packaging is kept to a minimum with the exception of a few cosmetics and/or house-cleaning items which are packaged in returnable and reusable containers.
Customers bring their own reusable containers, such as bottles, jars and boxes, and fill them up with food. The containers are first weighed and marked with a label. Then, customers fill them up with as much (or as little) food as they need. Finally, the container is weighed once more and its original weight is subtracted from the final price.
Their new delivery service also allows customers to order their food online and have it delivered right to their door every Monday!
BENEFITS OF DITCHING PACKAGING
1. Avoid overspending
Having the ability to control how many grams of food you actually buy means that you can end up saving money by buying only what you’ll truly use up.
“Unlike in supermarkets where you are forced to buy 500g of pasta, at zero-waste shops you can, for example, only buy the 250g you need and save money. It’s more cost effective especially for students! ”
2. Reduce your environmental impact
A wide selection of organic, packaging-free products are available at OUNI
According to OUNI, 30% of all consumer waste derives from packaging and a typical Luxembourger produces 653 kg of waste a year. Shopping zero-waste is therefore not only helpful for your wallet but the planet too. At OUNI, all of their foods are also certified organic. This ensures that your food will be free of pesticides and other artificial chemicals all while being produced with respect for the environment and workers.
3. Become healthier
Zero-waste shops do not tend to sell over-processed, unhealthy foods. Customers are encouraged to cook with natural, unprocessed ingredients leading to healthier recipes and an overall improved quality of life! However, OUNI also stocks goodies such as crackers, all sorts of chocolate-covered treats and even gummy candy for those still wanting to indulge without impacting the environment.
4. Reduce unnecessary costs
When shopping zero-waste, you don’t pay for the packaging, branding and marketing that usually adds to the price tag. Instead, your money ends up going solely to the production of your food, helping you reduce any unnecessary costs.
Neighbour Magazine can be purchased at OUNI.
ZERO-WASTE STEPS YOU CAN START TAKING
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to go 100% zero-waste, explains Bernardo. Small steps towards a life with less waste are valuable and all add up. Here are a few steps you can start incorporating into your life today:
“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly. ”
1.Keep old containers
Bernardo encourages people to keep their old containers, be they glass or plastic, so they can begin buying packaging-free ingredients here and there.
Photo by OUNI
2. Begin with just one or two zero-waste ingredients
Thinking of doing your entire food shop in a zero-waste shop can seem daunting when it isn’t your go-to supermarket, but starting off with buying just a few ingredients of your choice (perhaps ones which you don’t have a preferred brand for in your local supermarket) can help you begin to cut down on your packaging. For example, the next time you run out of sugar, flour or cinnamon, fill up a jar at OUNI instead of buying a newly packaged product at the supermarket and you’ll be on our way to creating a zero-waste pantry.
Photo by OUNI
3. Bringing your own utensils when getting takeout
Instead of asking for single-use utensils and napkins when eating takeout, pack your own and leave them in your bag to avoid unnecessary waste.
Photo by OUNI
4. Making one day a month your zero-waste shopping day
Make package-free shopping a habit by allocating the first Saturday of each month to going to a zero-waste store and attempting to stock your pantry with essentials. That way, you'll only need to shop for top-ups and extras from time to time.
Photo by OUNI
ABOUT OUNI
As a cooperative, OUNI “is run by the citizens,” says Bernardo. With working groups ranging from Communication, to Hygiene and Products, OUNI functions thanks to the help of all of its members. When asked about the best way to support the initiative, Bernardo pointed me to a membership form found next to the counter. Members pay €100 in return for a share of the company and everybody is welcome to join! Once part of the cooperative, regular members have the right to vote in general meetings and are invited to special events while active members additionally receive a 5% discount on all items, the ability to join one of the working groups and participate in workshops and seminars in exchange for volunteering 2 hours of their time per month helping OUNI out in the shop. Bernardo could not stress enough how grateful he was for all the members who make OUNI possible.
“The final way you can help OUNI out is by starting to shop here!”
Find everything from cosmetics, to house-cleaning products, to food at OUNI
OUNI can be found at the following locations:
Gare: 55 Rue Glesener, 1631 Luxembourg
Dudelange: 14 Rue de la Libération, 3510 Dudelange
Online: ouni.lu
Delivery: ouni.neocities.org