WA's ultimate guide to bulk food shops

Posted on: February 6, 2024

As more GREAT Sorts embrace low waste living, bulk food stores are growing in popularity.

Most stores encourage customers to bring their own containers, and they can buy as much or as little as they want, while being part of the solution to reducing plastic pollution.

Of course, they don’t sell everything, but it’s a great place to stock up on staples like rice, pasta, legumes and spices, while sending less packaging to landfill. A growing number of stores are also expanding their stock to cover bathroom and laundry supplies too, with refills for laundry detergent, deodorant and waste free shampoo bars.

It’s great value too, with many products being the same price or even cheaper than the big supermarkets. So, if you’re keen to stock up and send less to landfill, check out our handy guide to bulk food stores near you.

NORTH

Weigh n Pay - Whitfords
This family owned and operated store has been passionately helping their customers live sustainably since 1992. Come in to top up your pantry staples and stay for Craig the owner’s fabulous baking recipes.

Kakulas Brothers - Northbridge
Kakulas have been low waste champions since 1929. In keeping with both tradition and their sustainable philosophy, the Northbridge store’s interior is still lined with bulk bags and containers of spices and grains.

The Source Bulk Food Store - Mount Hawthorn, Floreat and Karrinyup
The Source are taking the low waste world by storm, with stores all over Australia. Grab your containers and stock up on oils and spreads, as well as the usual store cupboard favourites.

The Bulk Food Store - Hillarys
Head into Westfield Hillarys for your bulk food supplies. Waste free shopping just got easier at your local shopping centre.

The Bulk Food Store - Morley
Just across the aisle from Spud Shed you can get your whole weekly dry goods shop waste free. Bring your spice jars in for a top up and enjoy the savings.

Wasteless Pantry - Bassendean
Don’t worry if you forget your containers, you can still shop sustainably thanks to the Pantry’s collection of free and clean donated jars. You can even stock up on plastic free laundry detergent and shampoo while you’re here.

Kakulas Sister - Nollamara
Come for the delicious Mediterranean small goods, leave with a grocery bag free of plastic packaging.

EAST

Wasteless Pantry - Mundaring
If you’re new to the waste free shopping space, then Wasteless Pantry is the place to go as their staff are happy to help pass on some handy tips. Come in for your grains, legumes and pasta and leave with a new-found zest for low waste living.

The Source Bulk Food Store - East Victoria Park
Over 70% of the produce sold from their bulk bin is Australian. So, you’re not just cutting waste, you’re buying local – grab your jars and stock up.

Replenish - Kalamunda
Once upon a time, one family decided to take on Plastic Free July and it led to them opening a store dedicated to plastic free living. Now a thriving business in the beautiful Perth Hills, it’s a great place to replenish the store cupboard.

SOUTH

Kakulas Sister - Fremantle
The second Kakulas empire was founded in Fremantle in the 1990s and hosts a wide variety of bulk foods and European small goods. Stock up, then head to the delicatessen next door for your cold cuts and cheeses.

The Organic Collective - Hamilton Hill
The Collective doesn’t just boast dry goods, it’s also a low waste grocery shop. If you’re strapped for time, you can even order a box and have it delivered. All the convenience with less of the waste.

Small Farms Wholefood - Applecross
Boasting 600 different products, Small Farms is the perfect spot to shop. Their aim is to support local farmers and food producers and help locals live waste free. Replenish your stores and then have a delicious lunch at their cafe.

The Source Bulk Food Store - Melville
The Store makes your weekly shop easy and waste free. Situated near the major supermarket chains, you can still get everything you might need for tonight’s dinner, but with less of the waste.

Clean Pantry - Mosman Park
At Clean Pantry, you don’t need to bring your containers, they still sell packaged goods, but the difference is it’s all compostable instead of plastic.

Pantryman - Rockingham and Mandurah
Bring your own jars to the friendly staff at one of the Pantryman shops and they’ll weigh them for you, then get shopping. It makes unpacking the shopping easier when you don’t need to bother with all the plastic waste - just pop your jars back on the pantry shelf.

The Store House - South Fremantle
Stop into the Store House on the way home from the beach and grab everything you need for your menu this week. Forgotten your jars? No problem because they have containers you can use too.

Manna Wholefoods - South Fremantle
Come for the delicious coffee and cake and bring your jars - weigh, fill, and pay for only what you need!

So, next time you head out for groceries, why not consider visiting one of these bulk food stores. Many of them are located near other supermarkets, so you can still get everything you need in one trip.

By making a small change to your shopping habits, you can make a big difference in reducing waste and supporting a more sustainable future for Western Australia.

For more tips on lowering your waste with bulk food stores check out Get a taste for low waste - the Wasteless Pantry story.