Movement to cut back on waste
It would be easy to miss Épicerie Loco. Steps away from Jarry métro station, the storefront is nondescript, the window filled with pallets of produce and a hydroponic herb planter peeking through the corner. What is striking about the store is what’s inside: there is almost zero packaging.
Rather, there are shoppers, like Lea Broeckeart, who enter with tissue bags and mason jars in tow, ready to fill them with their weekly groceries.
Épicerie Loco is one of Montreal’s new zero-waste grocery stores. While it’s still in its infancy, having only opened in August, it has already turned a profit.
The concept is grounded in the zero-waste movement, where people aim to lessen their environmental impact by reducing and reusing as much as possible. Stores like Épicerie Loco allow shoppers to bring and fill their own containers, said Martine Gariépy, one of the four co-founders.
This reduces their physical waste by eliminating single-use packaging altogether.
At Épicerie Loco, this mentality influences the products they choose to sell. Sticking to organic, environmentally friendly and local options was a conscious decision, and while it may affect their prices, Gariépy said it’s still a plus.
Over the phone, Broeckeart explained that while the items might be a bit pricier overall, purchasing only what she needs — dried beans, nuts, tofu and tempeh are among some of her weekly grocery order — saves her money.
But the zero-waste movement is much more than just a diet, explained Montreal-based zerowaste blogger Charlotte Bourget-Rousseau. “In a larger scale, it comes with a mentality of trying to reduce your environmental footprint to the minimum,” she said.
That holistic approach means consuming as little gas as possible and relying on more sustainable modes of transportation in an attempt to lessen greenhouse gas emissions, explained Bourget-Rousseau, who is completing her bachelor’s degree in agricultural and environmental sciences at McGill University.
For that reason, Épicerie Loco is lucky to have found a location next to the métro. The proximity makes it easier for customers travelling from all around the city to visit the shop, Gariépy said.
She continued that some rely on more than just the métro, travelling from Laval and the South Shore to the shop. One woman, she remembers, drove three hours to visit just after their opening last summer. The car, Gariépy said, is the elephant in the room.
The decision to set up at their Villeray location was fuelled by evidence from a market study, she explained. She and co-founders Marie-Soleil L’Allier, Sophie Maccario and Andréanne Laurin knew people in their environmental science Master’s program who were from the borough. Gariépy continued that they had seen online that some environmentally conscious social groups were also based in the area.
But the location can pose a problem for those who aren’t from just down the street.
“I really do believe it’s a local, territorial approach,” Gariépy said. “I don’t want to just take a car, or just come to (the store) to get one tomato because I’m missing that one.”
At the moment, Gariépy explained in a telephone interview, there are three other zero-waste stores in Montreal, similar to hers. These include Méga Vrac in Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie and Frenco in Plateau-Mont-Royal.
Bourget-Rousseau agreed that while these stores facilitate the zero-waste lifestyle, they are not integral in maintaining one. She reassured that other options exist for individuals who don’t have specialty shops like these in their neighbourhood or can’t carve out the time to visit one.
As of last month, Bulk Barn joined in by extending their Resuable Container Program to all of their Canadian locations. A trial program began last fall at select locations, including one in Dollarddes-Ormeaux and in TMR. Their website explains, however, that containers must be “designed for food,” clean and reusable — so no paper or plastic bags. Cashiers also reserve the right to refuse any container that doesn’t meet their standards.
Gariépy said that this is a sign of the movement building steam. “It was for sure the social pressure, which is great,” she said. “It’s good. It’s a big win.”
Bourget-Rousseau expressed that it’s important to get out into your neighbourhood and explore alternatives to chain stores. While they might not be dedicated zero waste, “you don’t know what’s available until you look for it,” she said.
Both she and Gariépy agreed that the zero-waste lifestyle is equally about building a community of like-minded individuals.
“Those places, the people there end up being like you a lot,” said Bourget-Rousseau. “That’s also very refreshing and invigorating, to be a part of that community.”
That community, Gariépy said, is why she refers to Épicerie Loco as a “social grocery” store. For example, she explained, the store’s low shelves allow customers to interact with each other while they shop. “What we like about the concept is that people talk to each other,” she said.
For those who aren’t used to the concept, Gariépy also pointed out that they have a collection of jars and bottles available for a small deposit as well as some paper bags and egg cartons, if needed.
She continued that this helps when first-time customers have questions about how it works. “Don’t be shy,” she advised. “If you don’t know, ask questions, please.”