Retailer information changes over time. Hours, ownership, and product ranges listed here reflect publicly available information as of June 2026. Verifying details directly with the retailer before visiting is recommended.
Montreal, Quebec
Jean-Talon Market (Marché Jean-Talon)
Jean-Talon is one of North America's largest open-air public markets, located in the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie borough. Operated by the City of Montreal, the market runs year-round with outdoor stalls active from April through November. Vendors sell local produce, eggs, honey, bread, and specialty foods, often without plastic packaging. Bringing your own bags and containers is standard practice at the market. The indoor section includes specialty food shops open year-round.
Address: 7070 Avenue Henri-Julien, Montreal, QC. Public transit: Jean-Talon metro station.
Épicerie Loco
Épicerie Loco operates two bulk grocery locations in Montreal (Plateau-Mont-Royal and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce) with a focus on local and organic products sold without single-use packaging. Customers are encouraged to bring their own containers. The store sells dry goods, oils, cleaning products, and personal care items in bulk. They maintain a list of certified organic products on their website.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Granville Island Public Market
Granville Island is a mixed retail and arts district on False Creek, operated through a federal crown corporation. The Public Market hall contains produce vendors, specialty food stalls, and artisan food producers. Packaging levels vary by vendor, but loose produce and vendor-wrapped (paper) items are common. The market is accessible by ferry from downtown Vancouver and by bicycle.
The Soap Dispensary
Located in the Main Street area, The Soap Dispensary operates a refill model for household cleaning products and personal care items. Customers bring their own containers to fill with dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, and other liquids. The store also carries package-free personal care items and cotton or beeswax alternatives to disposable packaging. They publish their full product list and pricing online.
Farmers' Markets (City of Vancouver)
The City of Vancouver supports a network of farmers' markets through the Vancouver Farmers Markets organisation, operating at locations including Trout Lake, Hastings Park, and West End. Markets run weekly from spring through fall. Vendors include produce growers, bakeries, and specialty food producers. Most sell loose produce and accept customers' bags.
Toronto, Ontario
Bulk Barn — Multiple Locations
Bulk Barn is a Canadian chain with over 300 locations nationally. It carries the widest bulk selection of any Canadian retailer, covering dry goods, baking supplies, nuts, seeds, snacks, confectionery, coffee, and a selection of cleaning supplies. The chain has a formally documented bring-your-own-container policy available on their website. Customers tare containers at the customer service desk before filling.
The Big Carrot
The Big Carrot is a worker-owned natural food store in Toronto's East End (Danforth Avenue). It carries a bulk section for dry goods and a wide selection of organic produce sold loose. The store has operated since 1983 and is known for carrying items not available in conventional grocery chains, including specialty grains and fermented foods.
Fiesta Farms
An independent grocery store in the Christie Pits neighbourhood, Fiesta Farms carries organic produce sold mostly loose, a bulk dry goods section, and a commitment to reducing single-use plastic in its own packaging. It also stocks a selection of sustainable household and personal care brands.
Calgary, Alberta
Community Natural Foods
Community Natural Foods operates two locations in Calgary (17th Avenue and Chinook) and is one of Alberta's longest-running natural grocery retailers. The stores carry bulk dry goods, oils, and cleaning products. The refill section covers basic household cleaning items. Produce is sold loose with signage on origin and farming practice.
Calgary Farmers' Market
The Calgary Farmers' Market operates year-round at a permanent indoor facility in Blackfoot Trail SE, with an additional summer location in Symons Valley. Local produce vendors, bakeries, meat producers, and specialty food sellers operate stalls. Loose produce and vendor-packaged goods in paper are common. The market publishes a vendor directory on its website.
National chains with bulk sections
Beyond city-specific retailers, several national chains maintain bulk sections that vary in size and customer container policies:
- Bulk Barn — Formally supports customer containers; widest bulk selection nationally
- Whole Foods Market — Bulk bins at most Canadian locations; container policy varies by store
- Co-op (Western Canada) — Some locations carry bulk dry goods; policies vary
- Sobeys/IGA/Safeway — In-store soft plastic collection bins in select locations
- Loblaw/No Frills/Real Canadian Superstore — In-store soft plastic collection in some locations
Finding local low-waste retailers
The Zero Waste Canada organisation maintains resources and references related to low-waste retail. Provincial recycling programs (Recycle BC, Stewardship Ontario, Quebec's RECYC-QUÉBEC) publish information on deposit-return and recycling infrastructure that complements retail options. Local Facebook groups and community forums are often the most current source for hyperlocal retailer information, as small operators open and close more frequently than published directories update.