ZAS's Friends VOL.1 | Līlā Organic Shop
ZAS's Friends VOL.1 | Līlā Organic Shop:
Good for body, good for the planet
At Ziqiiiii Artwork Studio, our work often leads us to meet thoughtful brands and people. They are exploring slower and more intentional ways of living. This is how ZAS’s Friends began—a space to introduce them to you.
They might be a shop owner, a maker, a farmer or someone experimenting with different forms of living.
For this issue, we visited Līlā: a packaging-free grocery shop in Shenzhen offering whole foods and everyday essentials made with care for both bodies and the planet.
We often find ourselves asking:
"How can we live in a way that’s gentler on the planet, and easier on ourselves?"
Stacey, the founder of Līlā, said: “Perhaps starting from small things such as bringing your own containers, lightening the load bit by bit.”
At Līlā, every seed, every scoop of food comes from a choice that’s kind to both body and earth.
For the first issue of ZAS’s Friends, we talk about the simple things—
eating well, living well, choosing well.
Q & A
Q1:
What does this shop sell? And what exactly is ‘packaging-free shopping’?
Stacey：
This is the question we get asked most often (laughs). If I had to describe Līlā. in one sentence, it would be: a minimal-waste shop selling wholesome, natural foods and eco-friendly household goods.
We encourage customers to bring their own containers and purchase food and daily necessities by weight according to their needs. As the shop stocks many niche ingredients that may be unfamiliar to some, you can start with small quantities to try before gradually discovering what suits you best. This approach not only reduces food waste and plastic packaging but also offers a more participatory shopping experience.
Q2:
Beyond eco-friendly principles, what else matters to you when choosing products?
Stacey：
It has to be:
‘Good for our body, good for the planet.’
When selecting products, we follow three principles:
1) Natural, additive-free ingredients: Most of the foods we stock are free from sugar, oil and additives. Our everyday essentials are primarily plant-based—non-polluting, biodegradable and gentle on the environment.
2) Preference for organic options: Organic farming retains more of a food’s natural nutrition while lowering the impact on soil, water and air.
3) Supporting local farmers and makers: We believe China has many genuinely good products—grown or made with care—that haven’t been widely discovered. Through our shop, we hope to bring more of these honest, thoughtful offerings to the community. At the same time, we are developing shorter supply chains to further reduce carbon emissions.
Q3:
Your shelves are filled with home-grown products. What does ‘Made in China’ represent to you?
Stacey：
“Made in China” is slowly being redefined.
Many people still associate it with old stereotypes, yet more and more local brands are shifting that perception through their quality and values. Take the almonds we source from Xinjiang: they may not be as large as those from the US, but their aroma and flavour are remarkable. Customers often return for them, saying they taste “good and reassuring.”
Change won’t happen overnight, and the path may be challenging—but we’re lucky to have many like-minded friends on the journey :)
Q4:
How does the shop reduce waste in its day-to-day operations? Could you share some everyday sustainable tips?
Stacey：
We source goods in larger bulk to avoid excessive packaging, and we reuse all our sealing materials whenever possible. Even the water collected from our dehumidifier is reused. At the moment, we’re also testing lower-carbon packaging options for our online orders.
For most people, the simplest sustainable habit is to bring your own. Carrying a cup, a container or a reusable bag can significantly reduce the use of disposables.
I often recommend cold-processed handmade soaps as an easy, eco-friendly alternative. They can be used for washing your face, body, and even vegetables. They require little energy to produce, are compact to transport, made from natural biodegradable ingredients, and are generally affordable—perfect for anyone beginning their sustainable journey.
Q5:
Beyond the products themselves, what else do customers take away from Līlā?
Stacey：
The name Līlā comes from Sanskrit, meaning “the play of the divine” — a symbol of creation and playfulness.
We hope that everyone who visits the shop leaves with more than just the things they buy. We hope they take with them a sense of ease and freedom — a slower pace, a spirit of play, and a willingness to approach life as a player rather than a performer. In many ways, that is why we exist.
Q6:
How do our choices in food, clothing and daily living shape our lifestyle?
Stacey：
I do resonate with the idea that “every purchase we make is a vote for the world we want.”
My personal style aligns closely with Līlā’s space: good-quality materials, easy to care for and timeless. I don’t chase fashion fads; I focus on the quality and wearability of what I choose. I believe this is not only more sustainable than fast fashion, but also a truer reflection of one’s taste and way of living.
Līlā follows a philosophy we deeply relate to.
They believe that small changes in lifestyle can start with a single seed or a bar of soap.
We also see how the way we dress can shape our daily life, mood, and mindset.
Whether it’s what we eat, what we use, or what we wear, these choices reflect how we engage with the world. By choosing less, but better, we can gradually step into a lighter, more comfortable, and more sustainable way of living.
Credit:
Content： Stacey, Ziqi, Lingxi.
Curation： Ziqi, Lilian