You can purchase loose fresh produce at Carrefour and package it in your own bags to avoid plastic waste. Large Carrefour branches contain refilling stations for major detergent, soap and laundry brands. You can purchase large, refillable containers there and bring them back when empty or bring your own to refill.

Kibsons

You can buy your produce sans plastic at Kibsons

If you want to do your food shop online, you can order from Kibsons and still avoid plastic. The fresh produce comes loose with the option to package it in paper bags. The whole delivery also comes delivered in a box rather than bags, which they then collect with your next order.

Lush

Born in England, Lush is a beauty product company that prioritises natural ingredients that don’t cost the environment during the production process. They also avoid using plastic in their packaging, so you can buy bars of shampoo and solid bubble bath that is packaged without plastic. Not only good for those looking to live a zero-waste lifestyle in Dubai, but all the products smell delicious – if you know, you know.
lush.com/mena

Natrl Water

If you’re still ordering your water in plastic bottles, we’ve got a more eco-friendly option for you. Natrl Water is bag-in-the-box water you can order online. Coming packaged in cardboard rather than plastic, the water comes New Zealand (with a zero carbon footprint in shipping) and uses 90 percent less plastic than any other natural mineral water on the market. You get 10 litres of high-quality mineral water for Dhs60, meaning it’s a great way to ensure you’re sustainable shopping in Dubai.
natrllife.com

Ripe Organic Shop

Shop without plastic at Ripe Organic

Those looking to reduce their plastic waste should head to the original Ripe Organic Shop in Al Manara to pick up their fruit and veggies. Open seven days a week, the shop stocks organic produce that comes loose, without plastic packaging. Ideal for those trying to shop zero-waste in Dubai.
ripeme.com

The Green Ecostore

Those looking to purchase zero-waste essentials in Dubai can order from the e-commerce store The Green Ecostore which sells all the products you need if you’re trying to cut back on your waste. Get plastic-free cleaning utensils, reusable bottles, bags, coffee cups, steel straws and # SparkJoy-worthy glass Tupperware containers.
thegreenecostore.com

Second-hand shopping in Dubai:

Dubai Flea Market

Much like a traditional car boot sale (in the UK) or a flea market (in the USA) Dubai Flea Market is where to go when you want to shop for nothing in particular. Here you’ll find people selling their preloved books, furniture, clothes, accessories, bric-a-brac and kid’s toys. Though be warned, you’ll need to be in the mood to rummage to find something brilliant.

La Brocante

You can purchase second-hand furniture at La Brocante

Meaning ‘the flea market’ in French, this warehouse in Al Quoz is a veritable treasure trove of pre-loved furniture and home wear. Owner, Natasha and her team of experts curate the selection on offer so you know everything in here is good quality, and you’ll often find authentic iconic vintage pieces like the Eames chairs. Plus, every two weeks there is a weekend pop-up event which sees vendors and artists showcasing their products amongst the furniture to a fun soundtrack and serving of fresh coffee.
@labrocantedxb

Think Upcycle

If you want to avoid buying brand-new furniture, Think Upcycle has a warehouse of secondhand items you can shop for, both online and in person. Though they do get some luxury items, you’ll mostly find affordable and unusual pieces available here. A benefit of shopping here, aside from their wallet-friendly prices, is the free in-house reupholstering service that allows you to customise your finds. And for those looking to rehome goods, they offer a free collection service and a 20% commission on anything they sell. 
thinkupcycle.ae

Thrift for Good

Not only is shopping here good for the environment but 100 percent of all proceeds are donated to charity (the SOS Children’s Villages Kyrgyzstan). Operating in partnership with the non-profit charity Gulf for Good, Thrift for Good started out selling its vintage finds and second-hand goods online and at various pop-ups and markets around the UAE. Now, they have two locations Golden Mile Galleria on the Palm and Time Square Center. Here you can shop pre-loved clothes from high-street items to designer pieces.
thriftforgood.org, @thriftforgood

Retold

Buy second-hand high-street and designer clothes at Retold

Got designer brands on your mind but trying to avoid buying them new? Retold (which has two branches in Al Quoz and JLT) sells on Dubai-residents unwanted designer goods and highstreet ware. More expensive than other thrift stores, there’s a selection process for the items that make it to the shop floor, so it’s less of a treasure hunt to find brilliant pieces.