A budding entrepreneur is on a mission to cut-back on single use plastic by opening her own zero waste refill shop.
Stephanie Reed is planning to open Reed's Refillery in Chorley this winter, giving residents in the town the option of a sustainable shopping experience.
Stephanie said: "Given the global awareness of a growing climate-crisis, exacerbated by the continued production and (often unnecessary) use of non-recyclable materials, such as plastic, options for local shoppers to purchase every day foodstuffs and liquid household items, without plastic containers or film, is limited.
"Reed’s Refillery is going to be zero waste and single-use plastic free, run by a local for locals and we'll be looking to open the doors this winter as an independent business on an eco-friendly, plastic-reducing mission."
Like other zero waste shops opening across the country and adding to several already thriving in Lancashire, Reed’s Refillery will help people to cut out the plastic on food goods, toiletries and cleaning products, using state of the art dispensing equipment to keep products fresh, hygienic and easy to decant into containers.
Alongside consumables, the shop will stock eco-friendly alternatives to everyday items, and offer refills on laundry detergent, hair care products and a wide range of other liquids.
Simply bring your own containers (or be provided one by the shop) and fill each one up with your chosen items at your chosen quantity.
Stephanie hopes that the shop, located close to Chorley Market, will share the same community spirit as the nearby stalls and other independent retailers.
She said: “Talking to Chorley residents about the shop proposal has been even more positive than I had imagined.
"The desire to have a zero waste shopping option in the town centre is very strong amongst the community, including other retailers.”
Stephanie said the idea even received an enthusiastic thumbs up from Chorley MP and Speaker Of The House Of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who chatted with Stephanie during preparations for the G7 Speakers Summit on Friday.
However, the process of opening a shop from scratch does not come cheap, so alongside her own financial input and grants from Chorley Council, Stephanie is looking for the support of the community through crowdfunding, which will help to piece together vital parts of the shop's jigsaw before it can open its doors.
Stephanie added: “Of course, I would love to make the shop happen entirely through my own means. I’ve said to my husband for years that if I ever won the lottery, that’s what I would do; open a zero-waste shop.
"But if everyone is in this position, starting from scratch, battling against retail giants and a challenging high street, there would be little opportunity for locals to really reduce their plastic use more conveniently and with an actual input into what they would like the shop to stock.”
To help Reed’s Refillery become reality visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/reedsrefillchorley where you can also find more information about the shop’s future.
Or visit their Facebook page @ReedsRefill
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here