Your Step-by-Step Guide to Shopping in Bulk… It's Easier Than You Think! | Organic Fix Eltham

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Shopping in Bulk… It's Easier Than You Think! | Organic Fix Eltham

TL;DR: Bulk shopping eliminates packaging waste and saves money, you only pay for what you need. Bring any clean empty container, we weigh it (tare weight), you fill it with whatever you want from our bulk section, we weigh it again and subtract the container weight. Simple, zero-waste, and affordable. Forgot containers? We sell beautiful glass jars in-store.

Reading time: 4 minutes

The Question Everyone Asks

You've heard us talk about shopping in bulk, but have you ever wondered how it actually works?

Maybe you've walked past our bulk section and thought "that looks interesting, but I have no idea where to start." Or perhaps you've been curious but assumed it's complicated, time-consuming, or requires special equipment.

Don't worry. It's genuinely super easy and once you try it, you'll never go back to pre-packaged shopping.

Let me walk you through exactly how it works, step by step.

Step One: Bring Your Container

First things first, bring in your clean, empty container.

And before you start overthinking what type of container is "correct," let me stop you right there: literally anything works.

Glass jars? Perfect. Tupperware? Great. Old pasta sauce jars? Ideal. That peanut butter jar you've been saving for "something useful"? This is its moment.

Seriously, we've seen everything from vintage preserving jars to repurposed takeaway containers to old honey bottles. There's no wrong choice here. If it's clean and it has some kind of lid or closure, you're good to go.

You don't need to invest in expensive matching containers before you start (though if you love that aesthetic, we do sell beautiful glass jars in-store, more on that later). You just need something that already exists in your kitchen.

Step Two: We Weigh Your Empty Container

When you arrive at the store with your empty container, the first thing we do is pop it on the scales and weigh it.

This is called the tare weight, it tells us how much your jar weighs before you fill it up with anything.

We write that weight clearly on the bottom of your container (usually with a marker or a sticker) so when you bring it back to the counter after filling, we know exactly how much to deduct.

Why does this matter? Because when we weigh your full jar at checkout, we need to subtract the container's weight so you're only paying for the product inside, not the jar itself.

Simple concept. Makes total sense once you do it once.

Step Three: Fill It Up (The Fun Part!)

Now comes the genuinely enjoyable bit, head over to our bulk section and choose from:

  • Nuts and seeds (almonds, cashews, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pepitas, chia, flax)
  • Grains and flours (quinoa, rice, oats, spelt flour, buckwheat, pasta)
  • Dried fruit (sulphur-free apricots, dates, raisins, figs)
  • Baking essentials (coconut, cacao, baking powder, nutritional yeast)
  • Snacks (dark chocolate, trail mix, pretzels)
  • Oils (olive oil, coconut oil)
  • Cleaning products (laundry liquid, dishwashing liquid, multipurpose cleaner)
  • Personal care (shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, body wash)

You can buy as little or as much as you like. Need just two tablespoons of chia seeds for a recipe? Take two tablespoons. Want to stock up on five kilos of oats? Go for it.

This is the magic of shopping in bulk, you're only buying what you actually need.

No more half-empty packets sitting in your pantry for months because you had to buy the smallest size available and it was still too much. No more wasting food or money on quantities that don't match your actual usage.

Plus, it's often genuinely cheaper because you're not paying for branding, fancy packaging, or marketing budgets. You're just paying for a pure, quality product.

Step Four: We Weigh It Again and Do Simple Maths

Bring your filled jar back to us at the counter.

We'll re-weigh it on the same scales. Then we subtract that tare weight we wrote on the bottom earlier.

Example:

  • Your empty jar weighs 200g (tare weight)
  • Your filled jar weighs 700g (total weight)
  • We subtract 200g from 700g
  • You pay for 500g of product

That's it. Simple maths, zero waste, maximum satisfaction.

You walk out with exactly what you need, no excess packaging, and usually a lower price than the pre-packaged equivalent.

What If I Forget My Containers?

Life happens. You're out running errands, you swing by Organic Fix spontaneously, and you realize you left all your jars at home.

Don't stress, we've got you covered.

We sell a beautiful range of glass and plastic jars and bottles right here in-store. They're perfect if you need one on the spot, or if your pantry's ready for an upgrade with matching, uniform jars that look as good as they are practical. We also supply paper bags in-store.

Think of it as investing in your zero-waste future. Buy one or two now, and you'll have them forever for all your future bulk shopping trips.

Why Bulk Shopping Matters

Beyond the obvious convenience and cost savings, bulk shopping genuinely makes a difference environmentally.

Think about it: every jar you refill is one less plastic bag, box, or container being manufactured, transported, and eventually thrown away.

When you multiply that across hundreds of customers making hundreds of bulk purchases every week, the impact compounds significantly.

You're actively participating in waste reduction. You're voting with your wallet against single-use packaging. You're supporting a food system that prioritizes sustainability over convenience.

And honestly? It just feels good.

There's something deeply satisfying about scooping oats into your own jar, measuring out exactly the amount of flour you need, or refilling your laundry liquid bottle instead of throwing another plastic container into the bin.

It's tangible. Visible. Immediate impact that you can see and feel every time you shop.

Your Invitation to Try It

So next time you're popping in, grab a jar, a bottle, or a container from home and give it a go.

Start small if you're nervous, maybe just one item to see how it works. Grab some nuts or pasta. Something you use regularly anyway.

See how easy it is. Notice how much better the quality is when you're buying from bins with high turnover and fresh stock. Feel the satisfaction of walking out with exactly what you need and nothing you don't.

It's a small step that makes a big difference, for your wallet, for your pantry organisation, and for the planet.

Get creative with your jars. Shop in bulk. Waste less. And join us in keeping Organic Fix packaging-free and planet-friendly.

Because the best kind of shopping? The one that's good for you and the earth.


 

Visit Organic Fix at 937 Main Road, Eltham VIC 3095 and try bulk shopping for yourself. Bring your jars or buy some beautiful ones from us, either way, you're welcome here.

 

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