By Laura Michell
A Sunshine West olive company is on a mission to reduce its use of plastic by allowing customers to bring their own containers to its warehouse.
Each Friday, Mount Zero Olives opens the doors to its warehouse and encourages people to bring their own jar and bottles to buy olives, salt, olive oil, dukkah, grains and legumes.
General manager Richard Seymour said the BYO container days started about six months ago in response to growing demand from consumers.
Mr Seymour said the Mount Zero Olive grove was focused on sustainability and was biodynamic certified.
“We are trying to take the sustainable principles through to everything we do,” he said.
“Most businesses are trying to reduce waste because they know it is the right thing to do and it makes good business sense.”
Mr Seymour said Mount Zero Olives also held open days at its warehouse every three months during which people are encouraged to fill their own containers.
He said analysis carried out after a recent open day found the bring your own container program resulted in 300 litres of olive oil poured into reusable containers instead of 1000 glass bottles, and 100 kilograms of olives and 200 kilograms of grains packed into containers instead of plastic packaging.
