When we go grocery shopping, there are many choices we can make in order to minimize our impact on the environment. With consumers becoming more environmentally conscious, there is lot of pressure on grocery stores to change their ways and help in the effort.
Fortunately, many grocery stores have made adjustments in order to make sure that they are doing what they can to appeal to customers and become a sustainable business. We have collected information from several grocery stores commonly found in Fairfax County that have implemented environmentally conscious features to their business. For example, you might find recycling bins in/out of the store, bike parking, or an organic section. We hope you find this page as a useful resource to help you live more sustainably!
MOM’s Organic Market
- The store does not provide plastic bags, and provides paper bags for a 25-cent charge.
- Reusable bags are available for purchase.
- Discount is applied for customers who bring their own bag.
- “Take a bag, leave a bag” bins are located near the registers.
- Produce bags are compostable if disposed of in Mom’s compost bins, or in a commercial composting facility.
- A Recycle Center is located at the front of the store. Accepted items: Natural cork, shoes, eyeglasses, batteries, cellphones, oyster shells, and compost.
- Annual recycling drives are held for denim and holiday lights. More information and dates here.
- Variety of bulk buying options such as beans, rice, grains and oats, flour and sugar, fruits, nuts, seeds, snacks, trail mix, spices, soap, coffee, and “grind your own nut butter.” Offerings listed by store here.
- Eco-friendly household products are available in addition to natural cosmetics, bath & body, and cleaning products. Learn more about their products and ingredients standards here.
- Plenty of organic, vegan, vegetarian, local, and sustainable options.
- SemaCharge stations are located directly in front of most MOM’s Organic Markets.
- All stores are powered by 100% renewable energy. Learn more about other sustainable store features here!
Aldi
- Plastic, paper, and reusable bags are available for purchase only
- Recycling is advertised on the produce bags
- Limited quantity of organic, vegetarian, and sustainable options
- Trash bins are available in front of the store
Food Lion
- Reusable bags are available for purchase
- Recycling bins for plastic bags are available near the entrance
- Recycling is advertised on the bags
- Limited quantity of organic, vegan, and local food options
- Trash and cigarette bins are available in front of the store
- Bike rack present
Wegmans
- Reusable bags are available for purchase
- Recycling is advertised on the produce bags
- Recycling bins are available for paper, beverage containers, inkjet cartridges, cell phones, and clean plastic bags near the entrance
- Plenty of organic, vegan, and sustainable options
- Halal meat options are available
- There is a bulk section available for soaps, nuts, candy, and coffee
- Eco-friendly household products in addition to health and beauty
- Paper straws and controlled dispensary for plastic cutlery are available in the hot bar section
- Hot bar available for customer who would like to bring their own container
- Trash bins are available in front of the store
Whole Foods
- The store provides only paper bags and reusable bags are available for purchase
- Recycling bins and compost bins are available inside the store and near the dining area
- Recycling advertised on paper bags and produce bags
- Substantial amount of local, organic, and vegan food options. In addition to sustainable sourced products and seafood
- Variety of bulk buying options such as beans, rice, grains and oats, flour and sugar, fruits, nuts, seeds, snacks, trail mix, spices, and soap
- Eco friendly household products are available in addition to natural cosmetics, bath & body, and cleaning products
- Hot bar available for customer who would like to bring their own container. Otherwise, their food containers are composted when disposed in the designated compost bin
- Recycling cutlery are available in the dining area. Have partnered up with Preserve cutlery dispensers to promote recycling plastics
- George Mason University shuttles pick up and drop off students at the Whole Foods -East Market location
- Smoke free zone
- Bike rack present
- Trash bins are available outside the store
Mason and Greens
- This local business sells dry goods, zero waste items and groceries with a focus on sustainability
- Offerings include bulk herbs, nuts, snacks, pasta and staple pantry items
- Household items like soap, toothpaste, cleaning supplies and more can be found
- Beauty supplies, kitchen items, notebooks, bags, baby care supplies and more are also available
Trace: The Zero Waste Store
- This local businesses sells items with zero waste and a focus on sustainability and consumer consciousness
- Customers can refill soap, shampoo and cleaning products
- Offerings include grains, nuts, snacks, beans and other dried foods that require little to no waste/packaging
- Substantial amount of local, organic, and vegan food options. In addition to sustainable sourced products and seafood
- Toothbrushes, cutlery, straws and bags can also be purchased
Virginia Mercantile
- This local business sells low-waste items, ethically-sourced, and locally-made items
- Refill Station features bulk cleaning, skin, hair, and more products with a focus on natural ingredients. Customers may bring their own container (or purchase a reusable one from the store) to fill, weigh, and pay for their product!
- Household items like candles, soaps, toothpaste, laundry supplies and more can also be found here
- Additional kitchen items, gifts, toys, personal care supplies, and more are also available
Giant
- Reusable bags are available for purchase
- Recycling advertised on the produce bags
- Recycling bins for plastic bags available near the entrance
- Limited quantity of locally grown produce
- There is a bulk section available for soaps
- Limited number of organic fruits and vegetables
- Eco-friendly products can be found in one designated area in the store
- Bike rack present
- Trash bins are available outside the store
Target
- Reusable bags available for purchase
- Recycling is advertised on the plastic bags
- Recycling bins available inside the store for MP3s, cellphones, ink cartridge, glass, plastic, aluminum, and plastic bags. In addition to trash bins located outside and inside the store.
- Limited selection of organic foods
- Eco-friendly products can be found throughout the store in different departments
- Bike rack present
- Trash bins are available in front of the store
Walmart
- Reusable bags are available for purchase
- Recycling is advertised on the plastic bags
- Recycling bins for plastic bags are available near the entrance
- Limited number of organic fruits and vegetables
- Eco-friendly products can be found in several departments
- Trash bins are available outside the store
Trader Joe’s
- Reusable bags are available for purchase
- The store provides only paper bags
- Recycling advertised on paper bags and packaging
- Organic and vegan food options are available as well sustainable seafood
- Biodegradable and compostable cutlery available for free
- EVgo charging station available at the Trader Joes – Newgate Shopping Center location
- Trash bins are available in front of the store
Safeway
- Reusable bags are available for purchase
- Recycling is advertised on the plastic bag
- Recycling bin for plastic bags can be found at the entrance of the store
- Variety of organic and vegan options. O Organics is Safeway’s owned.
- Limited number of eco-friendly products can be found throughout the store
- Bike rack present
- Trash and cigarette bins are available in front of the store
Harris Teeter
- Reusable bags are available for purchase
- Recycling is advertised on the plastic bags
- Recycling bin for plastic bags can be found at the entrance of the store
- Limited number of organic and vegan options
- Limited number of eco-friendly products can be found throughout the store
- Bike rack present
- Trash and cigarette bins are available in front of the store
