Yes Future stands apart from typical supermarkets by being an eco-friendly enterprise and zero waste producer. Part of a new generation of sustainable alternatives that seeks to make shopping more environmentally-friendly.
Olga Rodriguez and Alejandro Martinez run this store in Barcelona’s Poblenou neighborhood, specializing in bulk food, kombucha, shampoo and cleaning products. Customers are encouraged to bring in their own containers so as to reduce waste generation.
Vision
Yes Future in Barcelona provides shoppers with a sustainable shopping experience that goes beyond environmental responsibility. Run by Olga Rodriguez and Alejandro Martinez, this small establishment allows customers to purchase food, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items and personal care items in bulk without needing packaging for delivery.
At this largely empty store, rows of shiny glass hoppers containing pulses and nuts stretch along a white wall, while taps labeled with Catalan words pour out liquid detergents for cleaning products - guests may bring their own refillable containers or use those provided by the shop.
“Buying from small-scale family businesses rather than big brands supports our health while encouraging more responsible consumption,” according to Rodriguez. Furthermore, “we’re helping reduce one major source of pollution: landfills which emit toxic gasses into the atmosphere.”
To achieve their vision, a grocer has selected a neutral and minimal design. Their goal was to make their product visible as the focus of attention instead of hidden behind colourful packaging; “we wanted clients to be able to clearly see what they were buying without being lured in by individual envases or tags that encourage impulse buying,” according to her explanation.
Yes Future offers more than food: they also carry home products for the home, from organic and fair-trade soaps to biodegradable toothbrushes and laundry detergent. Their reusable bottles are made of HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic that doesn’t release toxins quickly; in addition they offer ecological certification utensils and cleaning supplies.
Although this store opened for business only recently, its popularity during COVID-19 lockdown has proven overwhelming; hence its plans to remain open. Indeed, it’s just one of several small stores throughout the nation offering their doors as safe spaces to reduce waste while supporting local production.
Unpacking
Spain, known for its low litter and recycling rates, has introduced the revolutionary supermarket model known as ‘Yes Future’ to take a stand against plastic waste. At traditional granel shops, produce is typically placed into plastic bags; here instead gleaming glass hoppers filled with pulses, pasta, nuts and spices line the wall alongside dispensers for eco-friendly cleaning products and refillable containers are encouraged as guests shop bulk.
This shop aims to support small-scale Catalan producers, procuring ingredients directly from them for quality and traceability purposes. They encourage healthy diets among their customers and host workshops on food preparation. Their manifesto, “The Future Is This Way”, stands as proof of this commitment, winning them many admirers both locals and visitors looking for alternatives to mass-produced supermarket goods.
Aribau’s Boca Veritas store specializes in ecological produce and follows their same business model, providing fresh fruit and vegetables in bulk at great prices; unfortunately due to its popularity much of their stock is usually gone by lunchtime!
Although consumers continue to rely heavily on plastic packaging, signs are emerging that consumers are moving away from it gradually. At Ekoplaza supermarket chain for example, customers now pay a refundable deposit fee in order to use reusable bowls in store.
Poble-sec Parallel Retailers Association has organized the Poble-sec Economies Fair that showcases how economic communities in Poble-sec are breaking down barriers between different businesses, coworkers, co-owners and liberal professionals to foster collaborative economies. One stall run by Joan Murria Boada from Colmado Murria food store in Eixample has an emphasis on offering top-quality products while encouraging responsible consumption practices.
Working Together
Yes Future’ is one of several initiatives working to reclaim retail experiences from plastic waste. In Spain, where recycling rates are low and litter is prevalent, zero-waste supermarkets represent an innovative step forward.
Instead of the familiar plastic-laden produce aisles, here gleaming glass hoppers filled with pulses, nuts and spices line shelves. Additionally, this shop boasts dispensers offering environmentally-friendly cleaning products at comparable prices to more familiar brand-name offerings.
The store owners want to foster community spirit and instil in customers a sense of shared environmental stewardship in their city. They want this new local economy model that favors social cohesion over individualism.
So the ‘Yes Future’ shop has formed partnerships with other establishments to bring its vision of sustainable consumption to life. These include working alongside a butcher for refills on meat products; with a bakery and chocolate shop selling bulk produce in recyclable paper bags; as well as with a beauty centre offering eco-options such as solid shampoo bars made locally from natural ingredients.
Another collaborative initiative involves a scheme designed to persuade customers to switch from disposable takeaway containers to reusable bowls. Under this model, people pay a small, refundable deposit when ordering food to-go from any of the restaurants using “Reusabol” containers; once purchased they can return it back at any of the venues and reuse it again; thus decreasing plastic waste circulation.
Vision that has already won over Barcelona’s municipal government and many city businesses. Aimee Van Vliet of ‘Yes Future’ shop won this year’s Barcelona Commerce Award for her efforts in creating an economic model which prioritizes collective wellbeing.
Other Sustainable Retail Initiatives
Barcelona takes the lead on sustainability
Barcelona stands as an international example in environmental care. From Montserrat’s deep blue seas to its earthy green vegetation, its environmental commitment can be seen everywhere you look in this vibrant city. Unfortunately, however, many businesses and organizations that care for its environs remain less visible.
Yes Future’s zero-waste supermarket features glass hoppers of grains and nuts as well as colorful spices in its minimalist aesthetic, where visitors bring in their reusable containers which staff then fill with whatever is necessary - eliminating unnecessary packaging waste altogether! In addition, Yes Future utilizes its own filtered water system and converts solar energy directly into electricity without using fossil fuels; both initiatives contribute significantly towards environmental sustainability.
Barcelona boasts many other sustainable stores, though some are still developing. Two Thirds sells clothing made from upcycled textiles and recycled materials like those found at Two Thirds’ Two Thirds storefront features bleached driftwood as wall art and large ivory shelving to send an implicit eco-message.
Food waste is a serious issue in cities, including Barcelona. Each year, tons of perfectly good food are wasted by being discarded or wasted, contributing to environmental problems like greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Barcelona aims to reduce their contribution by using zero-waste supermarkets as part of their strategy for combatting this problem.
E-commerce brands that operate sustainably in Barcelona include online platforms that deliver groceries directly to customer homes without using plastic packaging, such as Reciclica. Reciclica provides an assortment of grocery items from fresh fruit and vegetables to household necessities directly to your door; there is even a section allowing users to upload pictures of empty products which will be automatically sent off for recycling by local courier.
In Conclusion
‘Yes Future’ sets a new standard for sustainable retailing in Barcelona. By creating a zero-waste shopping experience for customers, they are leading the way in reducing the city’s environmental impact. The store’s emphasis on locally-sourced products and minimal packaging not only benefits the environment but also provides a unique shopping experience that encourages responsible consumption.
Moreover, ‘Yes Future’ is just one example of many sustainable retail initiatives in Barcelona. The city’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its efforts to reduce food waste, promote eco-friendly practices, and support local businesses. By working together, these initiatives can create a more sustainable future for Barcelona and serve as a model for other cities around the world.