Groceries are “unpacked”, fresh produce is sold loose

"This initiative contributes to the reduction of packaging and single-use plastic." A green sticker with white writing has appeared on many shop windows in a Sicilian town, San Giovanni la Punta , in the province of Catania. It is the second Italian municipality to join the pioneering "Spesa Unimballata" (Unpacked Shopping) project. The first was Varese. Residents go out to do the shopping, bringing containers from home. Meat, cheese, fish, cured meats, pizza, fruit, and vegetables are no longer wrapped, enclosed in disposable plastic baskets, or placed in disposable paper and cardboard bags, sachets, and boxes. They are sold loose and simply served in the customer's own container. Packaging-free.

Depeche Mode's commitment

The project is by the " Rifiuti Zero Sicilia" association, supported by the Sicily Environment Fund , a foundation established to support environmental protection initiatives and preserve biodiversity and ecosystems in Sicily, thanks to funding received from Conservation Collective through its partnership with the band Depeche Mode . And it is the British band itself that has chosen to support the network of local foundations that have joined the Conservation Collective. During their last tour, they launched a call to concretely address global issues such as waste management and plastic pollution, explaining that they would implement it through the implementation of innovative local initiatives. This mission led to the "Spesa Unimballata" project. The goal: to stimulate profound and lasting change in Sicilian communities and beyond.

The entire community involved

And what initially seemed like a difficult project to implement—overcoming resistance from consumers who had to remember to take their containers with them, overcoming the distrust of retailers, and properly communicating what to do—has actually been a success. Consumers have seen a reduction in the amount of packaging they need to dispose of, while shopkeepers in San Giovanni la Punta have noticed savings by cutting costs for paper and bags. Waste aside, according to the promoters of "Spesa Disimballata," thanks to all this, San Giovanni la Punta has taken a step toward a change in mentality. "This is a completely different campaign from the others: because the entire community is involved," explains Manuela Leone , project manager. "We've collaborated with retailers, the municipality, and residents."

Gaia Agnello, director of Sicily Environment Fund, emphasizes: “We decided to support Spesa Disimballata because we believe in concrete solutions to reducing plastic, starting with the simplest choices like bringing a container.”

The technology and how it works

To participate in the project, simply contact the Rifiuti Zero Sicilia association. Once registered, each citizen will take home a free kit of reusable containers with the "Spesa Disimballata" logo. Each container features a barcode that can be scanned in-store. Then, simply connect to an app developed by New Circular Solution srl to find participating stores. Once in-store, the retailer will fill the container by scanning the barcode. The app will track which products were purchased without packaging. A sort of collaboration between retailer and customer.

The documentary

And if public meetings weren't enough to convince consumers and merchants, the citizens of San Giovanni la Punta have become active participants. "My way of shopping has changed since I decided to only shop at participating stores," says Federica, a young supermarket customer displaying a green sticker. "By using containers, I'm more mindful of waste," continues Andrea. "We bought pizza boxes," says Maurizio, just out of a pizzeria. "We've even brought this project to school: everyone uses their own container and then takes it home," says Salvatore Puma , the newly minted mayor of San Giovanni la Punta. All of them, along with Mayor Antonino Bellia , are featured in a documentary that chronicles the impact of "Spesa Unimballata" on the community.

This is a series of informational reels produced by "Italia che cambia" (Cresti Italy) to promote the pilot project. "We are confident that this good practice will contribute to improving the culture of waste management. This is why we are reaching out to schools, with meetings organized by volunteers from Rifiuti Zero Sicilia," the mayor is convinced. Flipped classrooms, then: once at home, the little ones will teach their parents and grandparents how to shop, buying products in bulk, without disposable containers. The results? Since the launch, within six months, each of the 50 pilot participants has used 15% less packaging, and over 250 kg of plastic and cardboard have been avoided as waste. Consuming without waste is possible.