REFILL STORES: SUSTAINABLE RETAIL WITH ZERO WASTE

Abstract

Objectives of this academic article aimed to study the characteristics of refill stores and propose development strategies. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, there has been a significant increase in the use of packaging from retail stores, resulting in a substantial rise in single-use packaging waste. Presently, retail trade plays a crucial role in driving consumption and contributes to environmental issues stemming from packaging waste. Refill stores were considered a new retail format that had emerged in response to the current environmental awareness trend. They represented a sustainable retail model that supports the reuse of packaging and reduces single-use packaging. Consumers have the option to bring their own containers for self-refilling and were charged based on the weight of the products. The characteristics of refill stores aligns with the zero-waste concept, which is an ideology that promotes the circulation of resources, minimizing waste, or preventing waste generation from the source. This corresponded with the characteristics of refill stores that encouraged waste reduction stemming from everyday consumption by encouraging consumers to purchase packaging-free products and adapt their lifestyles to align with the zero-waste concept and circular economy.