I have completed my first year living zero waste (yay!) and next month I will be celebrating two years of living plastic free (double yay!). When I tell people about my lifestyle I like to express that it's more about reducing because I find the words zero and plastic free to be a bit full on and I don't want to sound like a crazy lady who consumes nothing because that seems to be the first response I get when people learn about my choices. Because I do consume but it's just done with careful thought and consideration.
Our (myself and the builder) contribution to the recycling bins in our house has reduced dramatically in the last year. The main items we add would be beer and wine bottles and after that paper. I love my stouts, the Builder enjoys an IPA or a cider, and we both love ginger beer. It's not to say I don't like recycling – but reducing and reusing is the ultimate goal because a lot of energy and resources go into recycling.
Most of the used wine bottles we have emptied from over the year are used to collect vinegar's and cleaning products like castile soap when I need to top up our supplies. And the rest are put aside to refill with new wine from ReWine located at the Preston and Vic Markets.
I discovered ReWine on the Bulk App last year. At the time the Builder signed up for one of those wine clubs where you get an assortment of wine delivered. So I decided to wait until our stocks ran low and had empty wine bottles I could reuse. But by the time that happened the loyal Essendon supporter that my boyfriend is came home with boxes of a Dustin Fletcher commemorative Cabernet Sauvignon and some other box of Essendon club wine. As the supply finally diminished it was time for me to visit ReWine and take advantage of their refill options.
I took our empty bottles and the friendly staff filled them with new wines. Basically how it used to be done not that long ago. Our bottles are not fancy with simple aluminium screw top lids. I can get Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Fortified wine, Pino, Shiraz, Merlot, preservative free, organic and even sparkling. I can taste the wine before I get a bottle refilled too. No more buying wine that I don't like. You can only refill with your own bottles at the Preston location. If you are closer to the Vic Markets then you must buy the bottles available and bring those ones back.
Lately I discovered BeerMash, a brick and mortar store similar to ReWine that has opened up in Collingwood. I took the Builder with me to check it out. While they have beer for sale in regular bottles the biggest draw card is the beers on tap that can be bought in growlers and squealers also for sale.
We invested in a growler for $12 and walked out with a cider for the Builder. We got to taste the beers first – very handy because the last thing you want to do is buy a beer and get home to discover that it is not that nice and I am really picky about my beer, way more than wine! They also offer two wines on tap, but I'll be going back for the stout. It's safe to say we will be regulars at BeerMash.
For a list of refilling beer stations in Australia visit Crafty Pint.
The latest packaging I have been able to reduce is my beer and wine. Yes, No Plastic and Zero Waste Beer and Wine in Melbourne.
Our (myself and the builder) contribution to the recycling bins in our house has reduced dramatically in the last year. The main items we add would be beer and wine bottles and after that paper. I love my stouts, the Builder enjoys an IPA or a cider, and we both love ginger beer. It's not to say I don't like recycling – but reducing and reusing is the ultimate goal because a lot of energy and resources go into recycling.
Most of the used wine bottles we have emptied from over the year are used to collect vinegar's and cleaning products like castile soap when I need to top up our supplies. And the rest are put aside to refill with new wine from ReWine located at the Preston and Vic Markets.
I discovered ReWine on the Bulk App last year. At the time the Builder signed up for one of those wine clubs where you get an assortment of wine delivered. So I decided to wait until our stocks ran low and had empty wine bottles I could reuse. But by the time that happened the loyal Essendon supporter that my boyfriend is came home with boxes of a Dustin Fletcher commemorative Cabernet Sauvignon and some other box of Essendon club wine. As the supply finally diminished it was time for me to visit ReWine and take advantage of their refill options.
I took our empty bottles and the friendly staff filled them with new wines. Basically how it used to be done not that long ago. Our bottles are not fancy with simple aluminium screw top lids. I can get Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Fortified wine, Pino, Shiraz, Merlot, preservative free, organic and even sparkling. I can taste the wine before I get a bottle refilled too. No more buying wine that I don't like. You can only refill with your own bottles at the Preston location. If you are closer to the Vic Markets then you must buy the bottles available and bring those ones back.
Lately I discovered BeerMash, a brick and mortar store similar to ReWine that has opened up in Collingwood. I took the Builder with me to check it out. While they have beer for sale in regular bottles the biggest draw card is the beers on tap that can be bought in growlers and squealers also for sale.
We invested in a growler for $12 and walked out with a cider for the Builder. We got to taste the beers first – very handy because the last thing you want to do is buy a beer and get home to discover that it is not that nice and I am really picky about my beer, way more than wine! They also offer two wines on tap, but I'll be going back for the stout. It's safe to say we will be regulars at BeerMash.
For a list of refilling beer stations in Australia visit Crafty Pint.
Thanks for sharing. I'm a fellow Melbournian, starting to think about ways I can move towards zero waste, so it's a huge help to hear of different places around town (especially inner north where I also live) that support this!
ReplyDeleteHello fellow Melburnian. Glad this post let you know about these awesome places. The north does have a growing bounty of stores that support the no trash movement.
DeleteYou are so lucky! Nowhere around us to refill wine. We do have a great brewery, though, that accepts growlers.
ReplyDeleteThat's great you have a brewery that accepts growlers. Maybe one day refilling wine will be the norm
DeleteExcellent!
ReplyDeleteDo you know much about the laws around refilling? At our local farmer's markets the croissant man would not hand over the croissant without a bag, siting legal issues, and the honey man says it's illegal for him to refill my jar. But at other venues in town they will refill honey jars, so now I'm not sure what the real deal is.
Madeleine.x
I have not looked into this Madeleine. I imagine if the honey man had a waivers for people to sign it would not be an issue. I should research it. Can I ask where you were?
DeleteBulk wine and beer are so beautiful, just for the aesthetics only. In Russia I was so impressed at people who could go to the back of neighborhood trucks- like ice cream trucks- and fill their growlers with beer. They are just starting to offer refillable beer in growlers at several craft beer places in Paris. Fortunately sparkling wine, liquors, and natural reds and whites have been available awhile now!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Love your outfit
I love it because I can ask so many questions. My boyfriend can eat gluten but not too much so its great to chat with someone who actually has some genuine information and cares about their products so we get all the facts. There is no way Australia would get it in trucks...i can see the headlines now!
DeleteP.S thanks :)
Wow, both places look awesome! I should actually look up whether we have something similar here too. I recently read about a brewery that is located very close to us, perhaps I can buy beer there (if tasty, because I am picky too!).
ReplyDeleteHope the brewery near you would offer. I can't imagine them not :) Fingers crossed it's tasty.
DeleteI am checking if this exists in Canada, this is fantastic!!
ReplyDeletehttp://obibinibruni.org/
Were you successful in your search for a similar business in Canada?
DeleteI haven’t started the search, but have shared your post with others. Hopefully this has encouraged them to start searching for themselves and when the time comes I can do the search, I will definitely let you know the result!
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