Goals can be achieved in small steps

In Cēsis, near the railway station and next to the library, the packaging-free store “Ieber.lv” has been operating for four years. Owner Agnese Gaidelione says that they really liked the idea of such a store, and that a green lifestyle and environmental protection are important to everyone.

"It turned out that there are various prejudices, ideas about what is environmentally friendly. When you talk about something global, people are simply afraid that it does not apply to them. We started telling them that a green, sustainable lifestyle consists of sequential daily actions, little things, small steps," says the farmer.

Gradually, the store became not only a place to shop, but also a place to meet like-minded people.

Opinion

Why do I shop at a packaging-free store?

May and Marcis Vischinti “Ieber.lv” purchases regularly.

"Is it more expensive here? We haven't researched it. It's important for us to shop here," says Māris, but Maija says that she regularly buys shampoo, laundry detergent, liquid soap, citric acid, descaler, lentils, oatmeal, spices, as well as cosmetics and gifts at this store.

"Although you may think you know what is environmentally friendly, you don't, you don't know everything, and salespeople remind you of useful things every day."

Here you can buy as much as you need, not a package.

"If you have any jars or bottles of detergent left at home, bring them back, they will be useful to someone else," admits Maija. And she adds that, unfortunately, organic bananas are also sold in plastic bags elsewhere.