We are finding plastic in our salt that is collected from the sea. Our soil is not as healthy and nutrient rich as it once used to be. The state of the world as we know is not a happy story. But, we still have the chance to change that. Solid education and awareness programmes need to be set in place and heavily emphasised for all our sakes. What does this have to do with shopping for organic produce, you might wonder. Well, eating occupies a large amount of our lives – from what we buy to how we cook, and even how we dispose our food waste. The simple logic is if we shop organic, eat organic, and dispose organic, we automatically do less damage than otherwise. Although it is not that simple, and shopping organic is just the tip of the iceberg, it’s definitely a good start.

We’ve compiled a list of places you can shop for organic produce or products as our way of raising awareness. Most if not all of these organic-friendly shops were conveniently plotted in a Google Maps list by a Facebook group called Zero Waste Malaysia. We understand that going organic does not equal living a zero waste lifestyle, but the two are closely related and complement each other beautifully. Whether you’re looking for organic pet deodorisers or to pre-order organic vegetables, check out this list of places where you can shop organic produce and products in KL and Selangor. Remember to bring your own cloth bags and containers!

The Hive Bulk Foods

The Hive Bulk Foods is a social enterprise that is a huge supporter of zero waste living. A great selection of organic, conventional, gluten free, and natural products are available, ranging from dry groceries to personal care products. They partner local organic farms for fresh produce, and do not collect financial returns from the farms since it is a cooperative arrangement. Over 300 bulk whole foods can be found there including nuts, seeds, butter, legumes, pulses, dried fruits, grains, cereals, spreads, rice, coffee, tea, seasoning, sweeteners, oils, condiments, baking, cleaning products, household products, personal care products, stationeries, bags, containers, even dog treats, and so much more. Most of the manufactured products in store are made by women entrepreneurs, social enterprises, the disabled, and refugees. Being a zero waste lifestyle store, The Hive Bulk Foods highly encourages customers to bring containers, jars, or bags of their own to purchase their products. Alternatively, they sell reusable bottles and glass jars for storage too.

Address: The Hive Bulk Foods, 92A, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar Park, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Hours: 9am – 7pm daily
Website: www.thehivebulkfoods.com

Tiny Tapir

One for parents trying to live more sustainably, Tiny Tapir carries quality eco-friendly baby products that are good for your little one and the Earth. Possibly their most popular baby product, cloth diapers and even accessories to DIY your own diapers are available at Tiny Tapir. Some unique fabrics they carry for this purpose include bamboo velour, double terry, bamboo heavy fleece, hemp fleece, bamboo jersey, and bamboo interlock sorona. Homage to their other passion, baby wearing, the shop carries a number of carrier brands like Manduca, Moby Wrap, Wrapsody, and Ergo. There’s also something special in store for ladies – the revolutionary menstrual cups. Tiny Tapir is the official retailer of MoonCup and LadyCup in Malaysia.

Address: Tiny Tapir, 28D, Jalan Awana 15, Taman Cheras Awana, Cheras, 43200 Selangor
Hours: Weekdays by appointment only (+6017 359 8719)
Website: www.tinytapir.com

Milky Whey Cheese

The first of its kind that we’ve heard of, Milky Whey Cheese makes homemade cheeses from fresh, locally-sourced milk. We’ve had the opportunity to sample some of their offerings via their special collaboration with W Kuala Lumpur, and those cheeses are delicious. Some of the varieties we tried include blue cheese, soft chevre made from goat’s milk, and even a cili padi habanero gouda. If you’ve been looking for good, homemade cheese, Milky Whey is definitely worth checking out.

Website: www.facebook.com/milkywheycheese/

The Natural Marketplace

Sometimes it really is in the name. The Natural Marketplace strives to be a one-stop marketplace for our daily organic and natural needs. They carry mostly edible products, ranging from natural granola and organic juice to fresh organic vegetables and organic oat milk. Additionally, grains and organic beans are readily sold in bulk, and customers are encouraged to bring their own containers. For those who want a healthy meal after a round of shopping, check out the Owlganic Cafe that sits within the same space. Workshops and cooking demos are sometimes held there, so make sure to keep tabs on their Facebook page for events and updates.

Address: The Natural Marketplace, 35-39, Jalan SS2/64, 47300 Petaling Jaya
Hours: 10am – 9pm from Tuesdays – Sundays, closed on Mondays
Website: thenaturalmp.com

Bliss Zero Waste Store

This newly-opened gem is located in the heart of old KL. Perfectly blending into its surroundings, Bliss Zero Waste Store has the look and feel of an apothecary, but is actually so much more. As its name suggests, the shop is very much in support of the zero waste lifestyle. Many of their products are available in loose form, so customers can bring their own containers and buy the exact amount that’s needed. Most if not all their products are natural and range from all-purpose scrubs and natural dishwash to wax car shampoos and natural vegewash. Personal care products like multi-use waterproof sanitary pads (made of organic and natural cotton) and natural deodoriser can also be found here.

Address: Bliss Zero Waste Store (inside Mingle Cafe), 55, Jalan Sultan, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Hours: 11am – 6pm from Wednesdays to Sundays, 12pm – 6pm on Mondays, closed on Tuesdays
Website: www.facebook.com/BlissZW

White Brick Oven Dot Com

This hidden gem is a home bakery cum cafe that also sells their fresh milled wheat and rye grain flour. Customers are encouraged to bring their own containers. On Sundays, White Brick Oven Dot Com is open for breakfast. It seems to be very popular, based on their Facebook reviews. Some items that are frequently mentioned are their pizzas, croissants, and sourdough bread. If you’re looking to buy specific loaves, it’s best to pre-order at least two days in advance.

Address: White Brick Oven Dot Com, Jalan Gajah 14, Kampung Kubu Gajah, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor
Hours: 10am – 4pm from Tuesdays – Thursdays, 10am – 12pm on Fridays, closed on Saturdays and Mondays
Website: www.facebook.com/whitebrickoven/

A Bit Less Bulk Store

‘A Bit Less’ describes themselves as a bulk grocery store that aims to eliminate single-use plastic packaging and create a community that shops with minimal impact on the environment. As you can see from the picture above, most if not all of their products are packaged loosely. Whether you’re looking for cooking ingredients like spices, beans, and grains; local handmade bamboo straws; dental silk floss; or organic cornflakes, there’s a pretty good chance of you finding what you’re looking for. A special feature of A Bit Less is their service of pre-ordering fresh, organic vegetables. Every week, they release a list of organic vegetables available for order on their Facebook page. Some examples include spinach, broccoli, cherry tomato, rose cabbage, and Japanese cucumber.

Address: A Bit Less Bulk Store, 20, Jalan Ambong 4, Kepong Baru, 52100 Kuala Lumpur
Hours: 11am – 7pm from Mondays – Fridays, 11am – 6pm on weekends
Website: www.facebook.com/abitlessbulkstore/