Whether you prefer to call them zero waste shops, refill stores, plastic free stores or filly-uppy shops, if you're lucky enough to have one near you, you'll know they're more than just a shop.
Typically they are small, independent, and sell a selection of sustainable supermarket alternatives:
- Unpackaged food including rice, pasta, dried beans, lentils, herbs and spices
- Refillable laundry and cleaning liquids i.e. washing up liquid, oxygen/green bleach
- Refillable personal care products like cleanser, moisturiser, eye cream, body wash, shampoo and conditioner.
- Some zero waste stores (ourselves included) also stock a selection of soaps, gifts, homeware and greetings cards.
Customers bring in their own containers, fill them up with the product(s) of their choice – only taking / paying for what they need. It might sound like hard work, but it's actually really quite fun.
40% of plastic produced across the globe is used for food packaging – and shopping at a zero waste (or refill/plastic free/eco) shop, can mean a huge reduction in single-use plastic. It reduces demand for plastic, and, in turn means less waste for councils to collect, less processing of waste, and a reduced impact on the environment.
The primary role of zero waste stores is to reduce waste; plastic waste from packaging, and food waste. But for us, like many other small, independent refill stores in the UK – the role we play goes far deeper.
Choosing brands and suppliers who fit the ethos of zero waste stores is one of the things that makes us special. It’s not about finding the easiest or the cheapest option, it’s choosing to work with suppliers who have integrity – and a moral compass. Specifically, and this is true for lots of other zero waste stores, we stopped selling Wild deodorants as soon as it was announced the buy-out by Unilever. It is for this reason that we’ve never stocked Ecover (or Method) – they were bought-out by SC Johnson in 2017. Some of our favourite suppliers include Suma, Honest Toil, Hodmedod's, Ben and Anna, Miniml and UpCircle.
The benefits of shopping at a zero waste store:
- Less single use plastic packaging
- Reduced food waste
- Ethically and sustainably sourced products
- A personal shopping experience – we love getting to know our customers
- Helps to build communities
- Supports local designers, makers and producers
- Supports UK farmers and other ethical food producers
What can you buy at a zero waste store?
Here are some of the products that you might find in your local refill shop. But, of course, each store is different! You can shop our full range here.
Dried beans (aduki beans, kidney beans, cannellini beans)
Red lentils
Green lentils
Yellow split peas (grown in the UK)
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Chia seeds (grown in the UK)
Brazil nuts
Hazelnuts
Banana chips
Coconut chips
Cacao powder
Oats (grown in the UK)
Loose leaf teas
30+ herbs and spices
Top tips for shopping in a refill store:
- Check your cupboards before you come to see what you need. It sounds simple but being prepared is the key. And only buying what we need is important.
- Make sure you’ve got all the jars/bottles/bags/containers you need – though most stores will have paper bags if you need them. Any type of container is fine, as long as it can be sealed. They don’t have to be ‘Instaworthy’ – and they certainly don’t need to match.
- Start small. We usually recommend starting with something like refillable washing up liquid and a few herbs and spices. If you're shopping online – herbs, dish brushes and soap bars are a great place to start. The trick is to not overwhelm yourself. Small sustainable steps.
- Don’t be afraid... and ask if you need help! We know the first time visiting a zero waste store can be nerve-wracking; but shop staff are always more than happy to help, so don’t let the fear put you off. Some customers want to learn how to use the scales and become professional refillers – while others would rather not touch them at all. We’ll meet you where you’re comfortable!
Is there a refill store near me?
Use this map to find your local zero waste shop.
The Good Lyfe is a plastic free refill / zero waste store in Newquay, Cornwall. We have an online store – and you can visit us in-store 7 days a week. Plastic free for the everyday.
