Opening a zero-waste online store: interview with Cero Residuo
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Bàrbara and Xavi created the online store Cero Residuo about two years ago. Like many others, they began living a more “zero-waste” lifestyle at home. Their passion for this lifestyle led them to take it a step further and make it their job: they decided to open a zero-waste online store.
Perhaps you’ve also considered taking this plunge, and hearing about his experience might help. Here’s the interview:
How were the beginnings?
Xavi tells us that the idea was born from the difficulty of finding plastic-free products .
Their goal in opening Zero Waste was precisely this: to make it easier for people who were joining this lifestyle to find products that were hard to find , just as it had happened to them in their day.
Zero waste product kit
What was the event or reason that led you to start Zero Waste?
“When we traveled, we saw remote places littered with plastic . The natural state of beaches today is to be littered with plastic. Between confusion and the search for a new path to alternatives, the project was born,” says Bàrbara.
Beach littered with plastic. Photo by Stephane Bidouze
How has the Zero Waste product landscape changed in the last two years?
There’s a difference between someone just starting out in the zero-waste lifestyle and someone who’s been at it for a while. Thus, “experts” increasingly look for more difficult products (such as stationery for back-to-school), while newcomers start with the basics (reusable water bottles, cloth bags, loofahs, etc.).
Xavi explains that the challenge is to connect with all those people who are not yet aware of zero waste and who are about to begin a life without plastic and with more conscious consumption .
Dental cleaning kit
Which products are the most successful and which are the least known?
“ The most requested products are solid shampoos and basics like loofahs, deodorants, toothpaste, and dish brushes,” says Bàrbara. “ Natural cosmetics are the first thing I changed because it’s one of the easiest areas; you just have to replace one product with another,” she adds.
In the specific case of cosmetics, Xavi and Bàrbara point out that by switching to other options, they not only buy plastic-free products but also tend to be higher quality, healthier, and non-toxic.
Image of Luffa
From your research experience, what new products have you discovered?
“There are more and more products and alternatives. Sometimes it’s as simple as rediscovering products that already exist and have always been on the market, like a super natural glue made with just three ingredients and comes in an aluminum can. We use it for our packaging,” Barbara explains.
Xavi believes that, in general, there aren’t many super- innovative products, but rather products that have been around for a long time are being rediscovered. “They may be groundbreaking, but they’ve always been around (like the loofah),” he notes.
We’re told that perhaps the most innovative development of recent times is the medical silicone used in menstrual cups, although the product has existed since the 1930s.
Reusable menstrual cups
Is there something you'd like to offer in your store but haven't been able to find?
“We’d like to have an alternative for everything. We’ve been asked for condoms, for example, and we’re having trouble finding them without plastic,” says Bàrbara.
Condoms
How do you manage shipping to make it as sustainable as possible?
As for the packaging, it’s plastic-free and completely biodegradable. We also have a collection point in Barcelona (in the Gràcia neighborhood) for those who prefer to come and take it home.”
“We collaborate with the Áreas Verdes association to plant trees and offset the CO2 emissions generated by transportation. We’re looking for eco-friendly shipping methods, but to date, there are no courier companies that are completely sustainable,” Xavi explains.
Green Areas Association
Is there anything that surprises you about this world of zero-waste products for good?
“I’ve been surprised by the interest . I think this lifestyle isn’t a fad, but rather here to stay,” says Bàrbara.
“Seeing producers and manufacturers adapting , for example, to bringing things without plastic: managing to change the distribution chain is super satisfying,” Xavi shares.
People who sell zero-waste products end up becoming agents of change , influencing the distribution chain. Bàrbara
“If we discover a product that contains plastic, we stop buying it and explain why to the manufacturer. Sometimes they agree to remove the plastic from their packaging, and getting a change like that from the manufacturer makes me very happy.”
And for the worse?
“ You’ve come across brands that blatantly engage in greenwashing . For example, we were about to incorporate products from a well-known pencil brand that distributes an “eco” line, only to discover they were made from a wood extrusion with plastic,” Xavi recalls.
What advice would you give to someone new to this world? Or to an expert?
Bàrbara: For those starting out, take it slow and don’t get overwhelmed . Everyone should go at their own pace. You can start with food, buying in bulk. By bringing your own bags and Tupperware , you eliminate most of the plastic in your daily routine.
“Getting started on personal hygiene is also appreciated because it’s a simple step,” adds Xavi.
Reusable bags
Thanks for the effort, entrepreneurs
At Go Zero Waste, we want to thank everyone who embarks on the adventure of creating a physical or online business related to Zero Waste and bulk sales.
They are usually committed people who are very demanding of their product because they have been and are consumers of what they sell.
Making a consistent path amidst the inertia of mass consumption, especially given the current labor market situation in Spain, is a feat in itself.
Together, merchants and consumers alike are making progress every day to transform the consumption model and make it more sustainable.
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