Last week my sister and I were finally able to visit a packaging-free, bulk grocery store in our town. Ever since we started going low-impact/less-waste, we’ve been wanting to have a grocery run without packaging. A bulk store allows that, because they supply household objects free of packaging—you will need a reusable container to store your purchase, which will either be provided by the store or you can bring one from home. Unfortunately, it has been close to impossible, since bulk stores are not abundant in Indonesia—especially in our area. That is, however, until we find out about Saruga, a small packaging-free, bulk grocery store in Bintaro—and we suddenly have an urge to pay a visit.
What strikes me first as we arrived at the store is how homey and cozy the place is. It is relatively small, but with quite a wide selection of products. They provide numerous seasonings, several kinds of grains, tea, coffee, pasta and even cereal. There were also plenty of toiletries and cleaning supplies, including bar soaps, detergent balls, liquid shampoo and skincare products. The products are all arranged very neatly, easily accessible and visible from the moment you walk in. It looks really beautiful—not unlike family-owned grocery stores in small towns that you see in movies. The shopkeepers were also kind enough to let us me take so many photos around the store.
Here’s what the process looks like: first, you need to weigh the container you will use to store your purchase. If you haven’t got one with you, they provide some pouches and jars of various sizes. Second, you are free to explore the store, take a good look at all the products and put as much as you like into your container. Third, give them to the shopkeepers to weigh and pay the total amount at the cashier. They take cash and debits, I believe, although we used cash when we were there, so we can’t really confirm the availability of their non-cash transaction options.
This time my sister and I didn’t purchase a whole lot. She bought some Toraja coffee beans, while I bought some Red Moon tea leaves and a lemon citronella bar soap from Sanubari. The tea tastes as close to Rooibos as I’ve ever gotten in this country—it smells mildly spicy and tastes relatively sweet. The soap is still put on hold, though—but I’ll update you on it. Also, I forgot to bring jars from home so, for the tea, I purchased a small one there for less than Rp 10.000,-. They have them in up to 4 sizes, as I remember. I’m not sure about the pouch, because we brought our own.
To sum up, I absolutely love this place. Just one visit and I already see myself coming back time and time again—there were so many things I’d like to have purchased, once my stock runs out. I really highly recommend coming here sometime. They don’t sell fruit and vegetables, though, so it’s probably not going to be a store you visit every week or so. Have you been to a bulk store before? Share your experience!
P.S: The next day I found out that the founder recognised me and has been following me on instagram for a while. Oh wow, what a small world! Thank you for that and for this store. I’ll definitely return.
Last week my sister and I were finally able to visit a packaging-free, bulk grocery store in our town. Ever since we started going low-impact/less-waste, we’ve been wanting to have a grocery run without packaging. A bulk store allows that, because they supply household objects free of packaging—you will need a reusable container to store your purchase, which will either be provided by the store or you can bring one from home. Unfortunately, it has been close to impossible, since bulk stores are not abundant in Indonesia—especially in our area. That is, however, until we find out about Saruga, a small packaging-free, bulk grocery store in Bintaro—and we suddenly have an urge to pay a visit.
What strikes me first as we arrived at the store is how homey and cozy the place is. It is relatively small, but with quite a wide selection of products. They provide numerous seasonings, several kinds of grains, tea, coffee, pasta and even cereal. There were also plenty of toiletries and cleaning supplies, including bar soaps, detergent balls, liquid shampoo and skincare products. The products are all arranged very neatly, easily accessible and visible from the moment you walk in. It looks really beautiful—not unlike family-owned grocery stores in small towns that you see in movies. The shopkeepers were also kind enough to let us me take so many photos around the store.
Here’s what the process looks like: first, you need to weigh the container you will use to store your purchase. If you haven’t got one with you, they provide some pouches and jars of various sizes. Second, you are free to explore the store, take a good look at all the products and put as much as you like into your container. Third, give them to the shopkeepers to weigh and pay the total amount at the cashier. They take cash and debits, I believe, although we used cash when we were there, so we can’t really confirm the availability of their non-cash transaction options.
This time my sister and I didn’t purchase a whole lot. She bought some Toraja coffee beans, while I bought some Red Moon tea leaves and a lemon citronella bar soap from Sanubari. The tea tastes as close to Rooibos as I’ve ever gotten in this country—it smells mildly spicy and tastes relatively sweet. The soap is still put on hold, though—but I’ll update you on it. Also, I forgot to bring jars from home so, for the tea, I purchased a small one there for less than Rp 10.000,-. They have them in up to 4 sizes, as I remember. I’m not sure about the pouch, because we brought our own.
To sum up, I absolutely love this place. Just one visit and I already see myself coming back time and time again—there were so many things I’d like to have purchased, once my stock runs out. I really highly recommend coming here sometime. They don’t sell fruit and vegetables, though, so it’s probably not going to be a store you visit every week or so. Have you been to a bulk store before? Share your experience!
P.S: The next day I found out that the founder recognised me and has been following me on instagram for a while. Oh wow, what a small world! Thank you for that and for this store. I’ll definitely return.