Real-world examples of zero waste retail practices that actually work

Headline examples of zero waste retail practices in 2024–2025

When people ask for examples of zero waste retail practices, they usually want proof that this isn’t just a sustainability buzzword. So let’s start with retailers that have put real money and floor space into changing how products are sold.

In grocery, refill and reuse are finally moving beyond niche co-ops. Kroger and other major chains in the U.S. have piloted reusable packaging programs with partners like Loop, where shoppers buy products in durable containers, pay a deposit, and return empties in-store. In Europe, Carrefour and Tesco have tested similar systems, showing that mainstream customers will participate if the process is simple and the products are competitively priced.

Fashion is also becoming one of the best examples of zero waste retail practices in action. Patagonia’s Worn Wear program and REI’s used gear sections turn returns and trade-ins into resale inventory instead of landfill. These are powerful examples of how retailers can extend product life, cut waste disposal costs, and build brand loyalty at the same time.

Beauty and personal care brands are experimenting too. Lush Cosmetics has long offered solid shampoo bars and packaging-free products, but now you also see refill programs at The Body Shop and independent refill boutiques across U.S. cities. These stores offer a clear example of how to design a shopping experience around zero waste from day one, rather than bolting it on later.

Packaging-light and packaging-free: everyday examples of zero waste retail practices

If you’re hunting for practical examples of examples of zero waste retail practices, packaging is the obvious place to look. It’s visible, it’s regulated, and it’s expensive to throw away.

Grocery chains that invest in bulk bins for grains, nuts, coffee, and cleaning products are creating a very tangible example of zero waste retail in action. Customers bring their own containers or use store-provided reusable jars, pay by weight, and skip single-use packaging altogether. Independent zero waste stores in U.S. cities like Portland, Austin, and Brooklyn have built their entire business around this model.

Some of the most convincing real examples include:

• Refill stations for household cleaners and detergents in supermarkets and hardware stores, where customers refill branded bottles again and again.
• On-tap beverages (kombucha, cold brew coffee, dairy alternatives) sold in refillable growlers instead of disposable bottles.
• Produce sold loose without plastic clamshells or foam trays, paired with paper or reusable produce bags.

These may sound small, but they add up. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, containers and packaging still make up about 28–30% of municipal solid waste by weight in the United States.¹ Every refill station that replaces hundreds of single-use bottles is a very real example of zero waste retail practice reducing that fraction.

Reuse, deposit, and take-back: examples include more than just recycling

Too many retailers still treat “recycling” as the finish line. In a circular economy, recycling is the last resort, not the first. Stronger examples of zero waste retail practices focus on reuse, repair, and return systems before anything hits a blue bin.

Some of the most interesting examples include:

• Reusable container programs for coffee and to-go food, where customers borrow cups or containers, pay a small deposit, and return them at drop points.
• Deposit-return schemes for glass bottles and jars, often managed by local co-ops or beverage distributors.
• In-store packaging take-back for items like cosmetic containers, toothpaste tubes, or contact lens blister packs, which are then sent to specialized recyclers.

Beauty retailers offer a clear example of how this can work at scale. Several global brands now run loyalty programs that reward customers for bringing back empties. The store benefits from repeat visits, the brand recovers valuable materials, and customers feel like they’re part of a concrete solution.

The pattern across these examples of zero waste retail practices is simple: make reuse and return as convenient as throwing something away. When retailers integrate return points into entrances, checkout areas, or curbside pickup, participation rates jump.

Repair, refurbishment, and resale: the best examples of circular retail

If you want the best examples of circular thinking in retail, look at stores that profit from keeping products in use longer.

Outdoor and apparel retailers are leading here. Patagonia, REI, Arc’teryx, and others now offer repair services—from zipper fixes to patching tears—either in-store or through mail-in programs. This is a living example of zero waste retail practice: instead of quietly discarding damaged returns, they turn repairs into a branded service and a story.

Electronics retailers are catching up. Apple’s growing network of authorized repair providers and the rise of independent repair shops—boosted by state-level right-to-repair laws in the U.S.—are pushing the sector toward a more circular model. When a retailer offers repair, trade-in, and certified refurbished devices side by side with new products, that’s a textbook example of how to cut waste while still making money.

On the resale front, fashion retailers have turned secondhand into a mainstream offering. ThredUp’s partnerships with brands, Levi’s secondhand program, and in-store resale corners at chains like Madewell or Lululemon show how retailers can capture value from items that used to leave the system entirely.

From a circular economy lens, these real examples of zero waste retail practices all share three traits:

• They design out waste by default (repair first, discard last).
• They create new revenue streams from services and resale.
• They deepen customer relationships by offering ongoing value after the initial sale.

Digital tools that support zero waste retail practices

Not every example of zero waste retail practice is visible on the shelf. A lot of the impact happens behind the scenes, where data and software reduce overproduction and unsold inventory.

Retailers are increasingly using AI-driven demand forecasting and real-time inventory management to avoid ordering products that won’t sell. Fewer markdowns and less expired stock mean less waste. Grocery chains using dynamic pricing for food that’s close to its sell-by date—often via apps that offer steep discounts—turn potential waste into revenue.

Some examples include:

• Food waste tracking systems in grocery and hospitality, which log what gets thrown away and why, then adjust ordering and menus accordingly.
• Digital product passports and QR codes that give customers repair instructions, material details, and take-back options, making it easier to keep items in circulation.
• Online-to-offline resale platforms, where retailers buy back used items online and resell them in-store.

These examples of zero waste retail practices don’t always get the spotlight, but they’re often where the biggest tonnage reductions happen. The EPA notes that food waste is a major component of U.S. landfills and incinerators,² so anything that keeps edible products out of the trash is a high-impact move.

Policy, certifications, and standards that shape real examples

No retailer operates in a vacuum. Policy pressure and voluntary standards are pushing more stores to look for examples of zero waste retail practices they can adopt quickly.

On the policy side, extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging in states like Maine and Oregon are nudging brands and retailers to rethink how much material they put on shelves in the first place. As more U.S. states consider EPR and stricter packaging rules, you can expect to see many more real examples of zero waste retail practices emerge simply because waste is getting more expensive.

Voluntary certifications and frameworks also matter. While there isn’t a single global “zero waste retail” label, many retailers use:

• Zero Waste to Landfill certification programs to verify diversion rates.
• B Corp and similar standards to track circularity and waste metrics.
• Science-based targets for emissions that force them to address waste-related climate impacts.

Retailers often look sideways at peers for inspiration. When one grocery chain publishes a case study showing how refill stations or food donation partnerships cut waste and costs, others follow. These shared stories become living examples of zero waste retail practices that spread across the sector.

For data and best practices, many U.S. companies still lean on resources from the EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s work on food loss and waste.^{3 4}

How to apply these examples of zero waste retail practices to your own store

Seeing big-brand case studies is inspiring, but the real test is whether smaller retailers can copy the logic without copying the entire model.

If you run a store and want a practical example of where to start, focus on three areas:

1. Packaging and refills
Start with one or two high-volume products—like laundry detergent, dish soap, coffee, or snacks—and pilot a refill or bulk option. Use clear signage and staff training so customers understand how it works. Track how many single-use packages you avoid each month.

2. Take-back and repair
Offer a simple take-back box for items you know you can responsibly handle—such as clothing, shoes, or specific packaging types. Partner with a local repair shop or tailor and test a repair discount for customers who bought from you. This creates your own small-scale example of zero waste retail practice that can grow over time.

3. Inventory and food waste
If you sell food or perishables, start logging what gets thrown out and why. Use that data to adjust ordering, portion sizes, or promotions. Even a basic spreadsheet can turn into one of your most valuable examples of zero waste retail practice because it directly protects your margins.

The pattern across all these examples of zero waste retail practices is not perfection. It’s iteration. The retailers that stand out in 2024–2025 are the ones that treat zero waste as an ongoing design challenge, not a marketing slogan.

FAQ: Real examples of zero waste retail practices

Q: What are some easy examples of zero waste retail practices for a small store?
A: Simple examples include offering a refill option for one or two products, switching to bulk bins for popular dry goods, setting up a clothing or packaging take-back box, and partnering with a local repair shop or cobbler. These moves don’t require a full store redesign but still give you a clear example of zero waste retail practice in your own operation.

Q: Can you give an example of zero waste retail practice in fashion?
A: A strong example is a retailer that combines resale, repair, and take-back. For instance, a clothing store that buys back used items for store credit, repairs or cleans them, and sells them in a dedicated secondhand section is putting circular economy principles into daily practice.

Q: Are there examples of zero waste retail practices that actually save money?
A: Yes. Reducing over-ordering, cutting down on single-use packaging, and turning returns into resale or refurbished stock all protect margins. Many grocers report savings when they track food waste and adjust orders, and apparel retailers can turn what used to be a disposal cost into resale revenue.

Q: How do I know if my examples of zero waste retail practices are making a difference?
A: Track a few simple metrics: pounds of waste hauled away, number of single-use packages avoided (based on refill or bulk sales), percent of returns that are repaired or resold, and any cost changes in waste disposal. Over time, these numbers will tell you which examples of zero waste retail practices are worth scaling.

Q: Where can I find more real examples of zero waste retail practices and data?
A: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes detailed data and guidance on waste, recycling, and food waste reduction. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also maintains resources on food loss and waste. Industry trade groups and city-level zero waste initiatives often publish case studies that show how retailers are implementing these ideas in practice.

If you remember nothing else, remember this: the best examples of zero waste retail practices are not the ones with the slickest marketing—they’re the ones that quietly redesign how products move through your store so that “waste” barely exists in the first place.