Ditch plastic with Zero Green
Stacey and Lidia
Founders of Bristolian zero-waste shop, Zero Green
Here at Monkey Wrench we feel very lucky to be surrounded by independent businesses who care about the planet. We’re spoilt for choice in Bristol with ethical grocery stores such as the small chain Better Food and many independents to discover.
Zero Green, on Bristol’s much-loved North Street, was one of the city’s first plastic-free grocery shops. These smaller stores make shopping pleasurable again, radiating community spirit with helpful and passionate teams. We spoke to co-founder of Zero Green, Stacey, to find out a bit more about living low-waste and what inspired them to start the shop.
I read that you were Bristol’s first zero-waste shop. How did you get started with it and what was your motivation?
Lidia and I (Stacey) used to work together and we started talking about our frustrations with not being able to shop plastic free. When we realised that the problem was growing we decided we could make a real impact by opening the shop. We both had strong retail and business backgrounds but were very much starting from scratch with zero waste.
What existing shops inspired you from elsewhere, or was ‘zero-waste’ a brand new concept to you?
We visited Earth Food Love in Totnes and Natural Weigh in Crickhowell once we had decided to open the shop, but before then neither of us had been to a zero waste shop before as so few existed.
What sort of customers do you see – is it very mixed or generally of a certain age range?
It is a really good mix; most are local and between 25-40. Lots of children are learning about the plastic problem at school so they bring their parents in. The older generation remember a time before plastic so they love to shop this way.
I know you make an effort to ensure your products are affordable. How do you do this?
Buying in bulk generally helps pull the price down; putting things in packets really ups the price. The longer we have been open more products have become available, so suppliers are keeping prices competitive. We do not aim to challenge supermarkets on price as the quality of the products is not the same and they have enormous buying power.
What advice would you give to a supermarket shopper wanting to reduce their plastic waste but worried about financial costs?
Just do a bit at a time, pick a product or a room in your house and try and find a plastic free alternative. Food is generally the most affordable whilst cleaning and health care products are a bit more expensive (but tend to be much more concentrated and will last ages!) Also think about purchases in the long term – a razor may be £20-£30 but it will last you a lifetime if you take care of it!
Can you suggest 5 simple zero-waste swaps for readers?
“The older generation remember a time before plastic so they love to shop this way.”
Mooncups
Reusable coffee Cup
Reusable water bottle
Safety razors
Shampoo bar
They’re all game changers and will save you a fortune over time.
Can you recommend a unique product from the shop?
Our Wild Grove hair conditioner is the most AMAZING product – made freshly here in Bristol and delivered to the shop by bike.
What suggestions can you make for people who are unable to access shops like this?
Search online as so many zero waste shops are opening all the time. Club in with other people where you live or work to buy in bulk directly from wholesalers and divide up the products. We also offer delivery options (as do other zero waste shops).
What hopes do you have for the future of the shop?
We are hopefully adding to the Zero Green family with another shop in April! We’ll also be doing regular workshops to help our customers decrease the plastic in their lives.
We want to look into getting more and more products from here in the UK to support local makers and reduce the carbon footprint of our products. We will also continue to push ourselves to reduce the waste we produce by challenging suppliers, and if necessary changing them.
Zero Green sell a tempting array of snacks / © Alex Felstead