LIVING VERDE

Verde Market is a no-waste market located in South Miami with everything from food to household necessities

By Grace Rodriguez, social media manager

A quaint shop sits in a small in South Miami waiting for the next eager customer to stroll in. Inside, the scent of essential oils fill the room while soft music plays. Although it may seem small, the shop has significant impact on the environment.

The way the market works is simple — customers enter with reusable bottles and bags and fill up on items they might need. Some products offered at the market are cleaning supplies, bath products, snacks, spices and coffee. Stored in taps or in jars, the only way to get these products is by bringing a reusable container or buying glass containers sold by the Market which can be bought certain prices.

“Verde makes it easier to live a zero waste lifestyle,” Catherine Seltzer, employee at the South Miami location, said. “Here, I’m able to bring my containers and just fill up without creating waste.”

Verde Market has two locations; one in Wynwood and one in South Miami. It was founded by best friends Martha Balaguer and Pamela Barrera with the goal of reducing consumer waste and promoting the reuse of single-use items.

“I like coming here because I use less waste than I would buying these products at any other store,” freshman Natalia Vazquez said. “There’s signs on the walls that remind me how much waste I’m saving and how the efforts to reduce it help the planet.”

Founders Balaguer and Barrera were inspired by markets all around Europe with the same concept, and wanted to bring that idea to Miami. Verde sources the majority of their products locally, partnering with farmers from the South Florida area. Only a handful of products are from Europe, and one item is from China. Sourcing locally and supporting local farmers is another goal of Verde Market’s, aside from minimizing consumer waste.

With the effort to reduce waste, Verde Market offers a unique spin on the traditional marketplace.

WHAT IS OFFERED AT THE MARKET:

Home Cleaning Products

Kombucha

Fruit Juices

Coffee

Nut Butters

Dried Fruits

Olive Oils

Balsamics

Plants

Brushes

Reusable Bags

Soaps

Dog Treats

Herbs and Spices

Skincare

Incense

Honey

Sustainable Shopping: Verde Market sells spices, utensils and many other household items, all with the goal of being zero-waste