Sustainable living today wouldn’t be the same without the zero waste movement. Its goal to reduce the amount of plastic pollution is the mission of one plastic-free store in Hong Kong.

Bulk organic produce

Meet Edgar – a business dedicated to making a meaningful change in our environment and communities. What you will find here is a wide range of in-bulk organic foods, bathroom and kitchen staples – all without a trace of plastic packaging.

Whether you are a local or a tourist, Edgar is a great place to visit if you want to feast on organic food. Here you can stock up on fair trade Italian pasta or just buy some fruit and nut mix for on the go. The selection of foods includes fair-trade chocolates, vegan biscuits, nut butter, gluten-free snacks, freeze-dried fruit, and much more. All of these products have been carefully sourced from sustainable local producers or international artisans to ensure a minimal carbon footprint.

Edgar’s ethos

Edgar`s story began in 2016, when its founder Raphaël De Ry decided to introduce his “Reuse, Refuse, Rethink” philosophy into Hong Kong`s retail industry. After he became a father, he realised the importance of making organic food accessible as he wanted only the best quality for his daughter. This type of foods wasn`t as popular in Hong Kong at the time, so Raphaël took it upon himself to bring high-quality international brands to the market.

Minimising waste is at the core of Edgar`s values. Getting rid of unnecessary packaging has more benefits than expected. It reduces both waste and shipping costs, essentially making healthy food more affordable. One particular food item became all the rage – freeze-dried shiitake mushrooms. Raphaël says that this method preserves the nutrients in the food, so it`s no wonder why freeze-dried fruits and vegetables are so sought-after.

Sustainable shopping

As a bulk grocery store, Edgar encourages its costumers to bring their own containers – a policy they call BYOC. This enables consumers to make small steps towards more sustainable shopping habits without having to sacrifice variety. In fact, the shopping experience at Edgar is one of a kind with its multi-coloured bulk dispensers and the personal touch of using them by yourself. On top of that, shoppers also have the satisfaction of knowing they are contributing to a more sustainable future.

Apart from bulk foods, Edgar also offers kitchen and bathroom essentials. Anyone who wants to attempt a more sustainable way of living can start with their selection of reusable tableware items. Swap plastic bottles and straws for fancy metal ones. Their bestselling beeswax wraps are an innovative substitute to cling film and are perfect for travellers who don`t have enough space for bulky food boxes.

Ditching plastic in your beauty routine has also never been easier. Edgar offers different makeup and self-care products – all in reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging. You can choose from lipsticks and lip tints for varying skin tones. Solid shampoo, toothpaste, and soap bars are all up for grabs.

Natural recipes

What makes the cosmetics at Edgar even better, are their ingredients. Organic and natural are the core principles of their formulas. In them, you will find different moisturising nut oils, plant extracts, and essential oils.

Edgar`s wellness collection goes beyond small-batch cosmetics. Here you can find refillable bulk body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and laundry detergent. These affordable alternatives to mainstream drugstore products can be bought in different natural scents.

A conscious community

With so many zero waste options to choose from, Edgar has turned into a sensation among locals and tourists. It has managed to establish a new way of thinking about the environment. The beginning was not easy, though. The founder, Raphaël de Ry, shares that people were not used to this new way of purchasing items. The challenges did not stop him, however, and so in 2018, Edgar opened its second store on Moon Street in Wan Chai. There he started hosting discussions and talks, creating a community of more conscious clients.

The message Edgar`s founder, Raphaël de Ry, wanted to spread was that there is no planet B. They wanted to prove that zero and low waste practices were compatible with a busy urban lifestyle. He knew how wasteful Hong Kong could be, so he decided to be the change.

He helped consumers reconsider their shopping habits for the better. Edgar created a wave of sustainability awareness that is here to stay.

Where?

Website: www.edgar.hk

Address: 5 Moon Street, Wan Chai

When?

Monday – Friday | 11am – 8pm

Saturday | 11am – 8.30pm

Sunday | 11am – 7.30pm