Earth-Friendly Shopping Promoted At Trace The Zero Waste Store

VIENNA, VA — The concept of zero waste stores is catching on in Northern Virginia with the opening of Mason & Greens in Alexandria, and more recently Trace - The Zero Waste Store in Vienna.

As the name suggests, Trace - The Zero Waste Store offers alternatives to plastic packaging that has a harmful impact on the planet. Customers bring their own containers to fill up dry foods, spices and other products. The store also carries eco-friendly home products and personal care items.

Owner Mala Persaud, a resident of Vienna for nearly 15 years, started Trace with pop-up markets. The storefront on Church Street opened in fall 2021.

Patch is featuring small businesses like from Trace - The Zero Waste Store for a business spotlight series. If you'd like your business to be featured, fill out our Q&A form. Feel free to pass the form along to any businesses that should be spotlighted in our community.

Here's more information on Trace - The Zero Waste Store:

Business name

Trace—The Zero Waste Store

Location

140 Church St NW, Vienna VA 22180

Website

Www.tracezerowaste.com

Hours

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

When and how did the business get started?

We started with popup markets throughout Northern VA and then opened a retail location in Vienna in 2021.

What does your business offer?

We are a refill store offering unpackaged bulk foods, spices, laundry and dish soap as well as eco-friendly home goods and personal care items.

What's your most popular product or service?

Trace is a place where people can transition toward a lifestyle that generates less garbage and trash. Our home goods and cleaning supplies are the most popular but people are getting the hang of refilling.

What's your favorite thing about the community your business is located in?

Vienna has been my home for almost 15 years. I love that when I’m in the store for even an hour, I see people who have been part of my life through my kids' activities or through volunteering that I have done and more. It is a very friendly community.

What kind of impact has the COVID-19 pandemic had on business?

The overreliance on Amazon and delivery services not only hurts small business, but it is wrecking the community and the environment. It generates so much more garbage, and does very little to give back to the community. It would be good to see everyone get out and walk around and Vienna be a neighborhood again.

Do you have any favorite memories at the business?

We are so new, but the best is when small children come in, and they totally get how important it is to live a life with less plastic. They know it’s hurting the environment and they know they can make a difference.