Borough Market

FOOD PACKAGING & MARKET SHOPPING

MAY 24, 2023

While Borough Market vendors vary in their pricing and packaging styles, the amount of paper and plastic waste is noticeably low compared to a standard grocery store. When items like breads and seafood would be in readily packed plastic or foil, market sellers wrapped purchases as they were sold. Most commonly, vendors provided paper bags, but I also noticed shoppes carrying totes brought from home or purchased at the market. This more personal way of handling goods reduces single-use packaging and excess waste. The only produce in plastic I identified were certain greens and berries. Signage displayed item names and prices, which become more essential as individual goods did not have labels or descriptions on packaging like one might find in a grocery store. These key differences set a clear distinction as to how market shopping can be the more sustainable option for buying food. The only exception to the low packaging theme was spices at a vendor called Spice Mountain. There, each item came in a plastic sachet or container; perhaps due to the loose consistency of their products. People of all ages and demographics walked through the market. Both individuals and families/groups could be found stopping for lunch or picking up groceries for the week. Borough Market serves as a sustainable alternative to the traditional grocery store.