Environmentally-Friendly Products
When going to the grocery store, it can be overwhelming to see the variety of products without any guidelines on which to choose. From an affordability standpoint, groceries in Germany are less expensive compared to other parts of the world –in part because the EU heavily subsidizes farmers – but the cheap prices may disguise a greater environmental cost. As a consumer, choosing “green” and organic products supports a more environmentally-conscious and holistic approach to production. “Green” products do not contain the chemicals found in conventional products; they are better for the environment and your health, especially if you have sensitive skin or allergies.
In general, here are some labels to keep an eye out for:
Food bearing this label is organic, meaning it has been produced in accordance with EU standards and contains at least 95 percent of organically produced raw materials. This is a voluntary German label.
Food bearing this label is organic, meaning the product is in full conformity with the conditions and regulations for the organic farming sector established by the EU. For processed products, it means that at least 95 percent of the agricultural ingredients are organic. This is a European label, obligatory for all organic pre-packaged food
produced within the EU.
Products with this label are certified vegan, in accordance with German law.
Products with this label are certified vegetarian or vegan by the European Vegetarian Union. Refer to what is written beneath the label –vegetarisch or vegan –to make sure that it matches your dietary preference.
Specific brands worth seeking out…
...for laundry detergent and cleaning products:
Frosch ● Available at most supermarkets, e.g. REWE and Edeka, and drug stores, e.g. Rossmann and dm
Ecover ● Certified cruelty-free ● Some products can be found at dm. A wider selection is found at organic supermarkets, e.g. LPG BioMarkt Sonett ● Certified cruelty-free ● Most products are certified vegan ● Available at organic supermarkets, e.g. LPG BioMarkt Sodasan ● Certified cruelty-free ● Certified vegan ● Available at organic supermarkets, e.g. LPG BioMarkt
● domol ökologisch (available at Rossmann) Off-Brand ● denkmit nature (available at dm) Alternatives: ● W5 eco (available at Lidl)
...for cosmetics and hygiene products:
Alterra Naturkosmetik ● Some products are certified vegan ● Available at Rossmann
Alverde Naturkosmetik ● Some products are certified vegan ● Available at dm
Sante Naturkosmetik ● Certified natural cosmetics ● Certified cruelty-free ● Certified vegan ● Available at dm, Rossmann, and organic supermarkets Lavera Naturkosmetik ● Certified natural cosmetics ● Certified cruelty-free ● Certified vegan ● Available at dm, Rossmann, and organic supermarkets
...for organic groceries:
LPG BioMarkt ALNATURA denn’s Biomarkt BIO COMPANY ● Nine locations ● Eight ● Nineteen ● Thirty-nine around Berlin locations locations around locations around Berlin Berlin around Berlin
● REWE Bio (available at REWE) Organic Brands at ● Edeka Bio (available at Edeka) Other Supermarkets: ● Bio Organic (available at Lidl)
...for unpackaged shopping:
Original Unverpackt ● Address: Wiener Straße 16, 10999 Berlin ● Food, cosmetics, hygiene products ● Either bring your own boxes or buy reusable ones there