Having grown up in a zero waste community in Sicily, it’s hardly surprising that Carmela La Spina wanted to bring a piece of that culture to Berlin. And so after a 2020 crowdfunding campaign, Carmela and Martin Hofmann opened packaging-free Herbie Unverpackt together in the autumn. Their goal? To make no-plastic groceries available to as many Berliners as possible and establish a zero waste community of exchange and support. Located between Neukölln and Treptow, this charming boutique offers organic basics including rescued fruit and vegetables from Querfeld (simply pre-order online and pick up in-store), nuts and pasta from the dispenser, baked goods from Albatross and natural cosmetics. Also available are nappies and hygiene products from Imse Vimse that feature reusable textiles. The store has both essentials and specialities, and if you have left your jars and bags at home the team will gladly lend or sell you one. The motto here is “packaging-free with love” and we are really feeling it.
Text: Sophie Döring / Photos: Stefany de Beur
Herbie Unverpackt, Elbestr.19, 12045 Berlin–Neukölln; map
Mon–Fri 12–19h, Sat 12–17h
The shop is classed as a supermarket and thus open as normal. Extensive measures are in place for safe shopping.
@herbieunverpackt
