On Saturday morning, the zero-packaging organic grocery store OUNI (Organic Unpackaged Natural Ingredients) celebrated its Grand Opening to the public at 55 Rue Glesener in Luxembourg city.

The initiative aims at achieving zero waste; the concept involves much more than just packing one's groceries into reusable bags - their suppliers also need to adhere to the same principles and deliver produce without packaging. Those behind the initiative are offering local and/or fair trade products of quality at the best price; the product ranges cover food, hygiene and household products.

So how does this work in practice? A quick tour of the ground-floor shop in Luxembourg city centre reveals that many items are available from dispensers, not dissimilar to those used 50+ years ago in corner shops across the British Isles and elsewhere. Shoppers can bring their own reusable containers and weigh then on entry to the shop, fill them with various different produce, and then have them weighed before paying, ensuring the weight of the container is excluded. For those without their own containers, OUNI provides returnable glass jars and bottles.

Carole Deischbourg, Luxembourg's Minister of the Environment, gave the official address at the formal opening, and thanked those behind the project - which had been a long time in the making - for their vision and perseverance in ensuring their dream became a reality.

The formalities were concluded by the cutting of a ribbon to declare the shop open for business.

OUNI is a co-operative business and employs two managers and two employees; it is also supported by monthly volunteer hours from the 250 active members. The project had its beginnings in December 2014, by Patricia Tompers, now President of the Board of Directors; through croudfunding it raised €180,000 in capital from 600 members in total.

With the shop now open, various DIY workshops were organised throughout the day, as well as product tastings. The store also offers a cozy café and regular workshops on the zero waste lifestyle, do-it-yourself, upcycling, sustainable living, local food and nutrition.

For further details, see www.ouni.lu. Open Monday-Friday 10:00-20:00 and Saturday 10:00-17:00.