Throwing away the packaging

Stir-crazy on a drizzly Saturday afternoon, I popped out for a stroll down stately Amwell Street - where people go when they're too old for Exmouth Market. It's a wonderful thoroughfare of eighteenth-century houses, with a cluster of great shops and illustrious Irish rock pub Filthy McNasty's (where Pete Doherty once pulled pints).

After dallying amongst the art books in the excellent Amwell Book Company, I popped into Unpackaged. Apart from occupying the former Lloyd's Dairy shop with its original gilded fascia, the shop is celebrated as one of the most innovative 'green' businesses in London and has been nominated for a category of the Observer Ethical Awards (winners will be announced on 5 June).

The concept is simple: sell lots of lovely organic and, where possible, Fair Trade wholefoods, household cleaners, spices, tea, coffee and sweets, all loose and without packaging. Shoppers bring their own containers or pay for a bag or bottle to fill with their chosen products, and bring it back next time they go shopping. All products cost 50 pence less if you supply your own receptacle.

It's a neat idea, though hardly new - every provincial shopping centre always used to have a 'scoop your own' shop selling loose goods from slightly scuzzy bins. But brought together here with sustainable, fair trade and organic principles, it makes a compelling and affordable alternative to shopping in your local supermarket. Plus, the range of goods is outstanding - from risotto rice to limescale remover, via cacao nibs, goji berries and spirulina (whatever that is).

I came away with some virgin olive oil dispensed from a giant vat and a bag of fancy muesli. It's not exactly cheap, but the quality is excellent - plus you have the added reassurance that it isn't costing the earth.