Unpacking Prague: A Zero-Waste Journey
By Victoria Zherebna (10/05/2025) — Prague, CZ
Prague, a city filled with rich history, beautiful architecture, and cobblestone streets, is also committed to being eco-friendly and sustainable with a variety of socially impactful businesses. I’ve been continually surprised by how eco-conscious Prague is, from when I first saw the efficient recycling system in my dorm to when I stumbled upon Nebaleno, a zero-waste grocery store in my neighborhood.
On my very first day in Prague, I noticed the Czech’s emphasis on sorting and recycling correctly. Upon arrival at my dorm, I saw three containers next to the trash bin to separate recycling into plastic, paper, and glass. I was surprised to find out that they sort their recycling separately, unlike the United States. However, separating it by material rather than the single-bin system used in the States allows there to be more efficient recycling, reduces the amount of contamination, lowers landfill use, and maximizes what can be recovered.
Furthermore, on the streets of Prague, there are street recycling bins near tram stops, by parks, and on street corners. There are several types of color-coded bins: plastic, paper, glass, and metal/tin scraps. Containers must be rinsed, cleaned, and flattened, if possible, to be suitable for recycling.
After passing by these recycling bins on the corner, I discovered Nebaleno (meaning “not packed”), a package-free store that sells dry goods like oats and flour, fresh produce, bakery items, natural body care products such as soap, household products like laundry detergent, and other miscellaneous items. The company offers vegan, organic, and natural products by partnering with local businesses, eco-friendly companies, and sustainable Czech brands such as Tierra Verde. This reduces transport emissions and supports the local economy. Customers are even able to pre-order vegetables from a local farm to be delivered to the store.
I spoke to Magdalena, an employee at Nebaleno for four years, about their mission and how the store operates. “Our main goal is to reduce waste,” she says. They try their best to be affordable for the local community while focusing on their zero-waste goals.
Customers can bring in their own containers or jars, borrow glass jars, or use paper bags to fill the products. In addition, Nebaleno receives its bulk shipments in jugs and plastic containers, which are then returned to the company to be reused again and again. This eco-friendly business also partners with beverage companies such as Šumavěnka, who charge a bottle deposit fee. “The financial incentive encourages customers to bring back the bottle so that the bottles can be returned, cleaned, and reused multiple times by the company,” says an employee. Nothing goes to waste here.
In addition to their positive environmental impact and sustainable mission, Nebaleno also has a social impact on the community. People are able to drop off their old clothes at the store, and Nebaleno hosts “swap” events where people in the community come swap clothes with those that have been donated. These events encourage the local community to come to Nebaleno and help prolong the life of clothes. The remaining clothes are all donated to charity.
Prague is doing its part in fighting waste. There are recycling systems put into place to become more efficient and reduce waste, as well as many eco-friendly shops such as Nebaleno that are fighting to make a change in our waste habits.
Living in Prague has shown me how small, everyday choices can make a difference. Prague inspired me to think more consciously and bring some of these habits back home.
