​Zero waste shops: The eco friendly revolution

Every year the UK discards 15 tonnes of waste from household to landfill, including a billion black ready meal food containers and 2.5 billion takeaway coffee cups. The area our rubbish consumes can also consume 100,000 mature blue whales. The equivalent of a lorry load of plastic is dumped in our oceans every 60 seconds.

Greenhouse gases are created during the decomposition process of biodegradable matter. Chemicals including arsenic and mercury are released into landfill sites from construction debris and electrical products. A nasty cocktail of chemicals and leachate seep into our groundwater and soil. Landfills create more problems than they solve.

How do zero waste products work?

Zero waste is a lifestyle, a philosophy and an attitude. The concept is simple. Zero wasters do everything they can to reduce, reuse, recycle and stop creating waste for landfills.

Even though producing no waste is considered impossible, the positive impact of adapting to a zero waste lifestyle is worth it. Zero waste is a mindful approach to living: think before you buy, and repurpose your products as much as you can. The ultimate purpose of the zero waste lifestyle is to evolve to a circular economy.

A circular economy extends the life cycle of everything we use. Disposable products become sustainable products. Items are repaired and shared rather than consumed and thrown away. At a grass roots level this is already happening. We’ve all heard of Freecycle and Freegle. On a mass production scale, in a circular economy manufacturers would ensure their products are made to be repaired rather than discarded. Some manufacturers are getting involved. Many are rethinking their packaging and adapting their manufacturing process.

Across every area of life, the zero waste movement does not regard recycling as the best we can do to help save our planet. Accountability begins with the individual and how we choose to live. Purchasing sustainable products is good. Recycling is great. Reducing our waste is essential.

Where to buy zero waste products

At first glance a zero waste shop looks like a fantastically healthy old fashioned sweet shop. Rows of large upturned glass jars filled with pulses, pasta, legumes, grains and nuts are ready to dispense your desired quantity into the container you brought with you from home. Your receptacle can be anything you like. Most people use Tupperware, glass jars, paper bags and plastic containers.

There’s usually a scale nearby. Weigh your empty container, write down the weight then dispense a few fistfuls of green lentils for that beetroot and feta lentil salad you’ve been thinking about. Weigh your lentil laden container again. Write down the weight. Some shops will provide a label. Most important: you will have the digits you need to pay at the register.

Off you go throughout the shop repeating the same, and gathering your wares. The beauty of bespoke quantities means you can dispense as much or as little as you like. From a teaspoon to a sacksful, zero waste purveyors have seen it all. You’ll discover zero waste shop owners to be a dynamic crew of clear eyed enthusiasts, keen to share information and tips.

Most zero waste shops have a philosophy and, more often than not, an interesting story about how they came to be. Many zero waste purveyors began their zero waste adventure as a pop up shop, or through crowdfunding.

Zero waste products are booming

The UK’s first zero waste emporium opened in 2017. The growth has been exponential, with an estimated 200 vendors sprouting up across the nation since then. When the coronavirus pandemic began, a zero waste setback appeared to be imminent. No one wanted to catch the virus by handling loose fresh produce and items.

Scientists worked fast. By June 2020 over 18 countries and more than 100 scientists teamed up to produce a global statement. The signed paper reassured shoppers. Reusable receptacles did not accelerate nor could they be responsible for the transmission of the virus. In fact scientists warned everyone watch their consumption of single use items during lockdown. Better yet, zero waste outlets confirm they have seen an increase in shoppers and single use plastic reduction since lockdown began.

Further evidence of the exponential growth of the zero waste movement is the partnership between supermarket giant Tesco and Loop, a giant in the zero waste movement. The collaboration intends to deliver supermarket favourites to the doorstep. Favourite brands will be stored in reusable packaging, which the customer will be able to return once emptied using the Loop bag provided. Loop professionally cleans and recycles the packaging back to you extending each item’s life cycle and drastically reducing waste. Currently an online initiative, it will no doubt expand as its popularity grows.

Reducing waste has a contagious effect. There’s pleasure in the efficacy of the lifestyle. Community spirit is strengthened. People feel empowered. Just the ticket to help us transition from lockdown into our brave new world.