Zero waste / refill shops

FlossFloss Forumite
7K Posts
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
Forumite
I've got a couple of zero waste / refill shops near me - both about 5 miles away though - that I'm considering using. What are the things that you buy / would buy from a zero waste shop?
2021 Decluttering Awards: ⭐⭐🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 2022 DeclutteringAwards: 🥇
«1

Replies

  • bit_by_bitbit_by_bit Forumite
    1.1K Posts
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    We have bought flour and soaps, hair conditioner and tea  :)
    Wife, mother, gardener, nurse, Big C survivor. Officially retired at 55 2021 [/b][/b].Mortgage free April 2021Challenges 2023: Decluttering Campaign[ 29/100 bags plus 2 large items. Make £2023 in 2023#8 £426.27/£2023 Using my craft stash 0/52 Reading books 8/52 Donations for the CS from others (in and outs) in 2023 x 20 bags and 1 large item Thankyou Mrs_Salad_Dodger for my 🏅 and ⭐️⭐️
  • joedenisejoedenise Forumite
    15.1K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    We haven't got a zero waste/refill shop near us unfortunately but if we had I'd be looking for things like dried pulses and lentils.  Soap powder/liquid, dishwasher powder/liquid.  Shampoo, conditioner, soap.

    I think a lot depends on what you use and also what storage space you have.  @bit_by_bit mentioned flour but that is something I wouldn't be buying as I use very little of it as I don't bake!  The only thing I use flour for is Yorkshire puddings!

  • BramblingBrambling Forumite
    4.3K Posts
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    joedenise said:
    I think a lot depends on what you use and also what storage space you have.  @bit_by_bit mentioned flour but that is something I wouldn't be buying as I use very little of it as I don't bake!  The only thing I use flour for is Yorkshire puddings!

     I try not too bake as well so find they can be useful to buy smaller amounts of flour and sugar cheaper than buying the smaller bags in SMs 
    Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage   -          Anais Nin
  • Rosa_DamascenaRosa_Damascena Forumite
    5.2K Posts
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    I am not convinced that such places are entirely hygenic. My concerns are E.Coli based.
    No man is worth crawling on this earth.

    So much to read, so little time.
  • elsienelsien Forumite
    29.9K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    Herbs and spices. 
    Not caught any lurgies from them as yet, 
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • edited 5 January 2022 at 6:24PM
    GuineapigsqueaksGuineapigsqueaks Forumite
    410 Posts
    Ninth Anniversary 100 Posts
    edited 5 January 2022 at 6:24PM
    I use mine for washing up liquid, hand wash, laundry liquid, loo cleaner, citric acid and oxygen bleach. Also, Ocean Saver refills. I've had various other bits such as a non plastic dishwash brush, toothpaste tablets, beeswax wraps, safety razor as I've tried to reduce plastic. They do soap/shampoo bars/loo roll/dishwasher tabs, but not the ones I like so I buy those online. I don't buy food items, not because of hygiene concerns but because I have a tree nut allergy and they sell a lot of loose nuts, I worry about cross contamination. I would say just try it one or two swaps at a time, see how you get on.
    Guineapsqueaks x


    Keep Smiling :)
  • Carrot007Carrot007 Forumite
    4.5K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    I am not convinced that such places are entirely hygenic. My concerns are E.Coli based.

    Indeed, these types of shops were massive in the 80s. I would not use them then Iand I will not now.

    Of course non self serve would up the price. But big boxes with scoops. No thanks.

    They need to find a better way.

  • BramblingBrambling Forumite
    4.3K Posts
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    We have had a small shop in town for about 30 years (he was ahead of his time) and there has never been any reported issues, it's always very popular.  As well as 'bins' he is the cheapest place for herbs and spices which he decants into small sealed bags 
    Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage   -          Anais Nin
  • greenbeegreenbee Forumite
    15.8K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    On the occasions when I’m near one - refills for cleaning products, toiletries, dry ingredients (pulses, nuts, grains), peanut butter, and if they do it - milk (zero waste shop is vegan so does refills for oat milk, farm up the road has an electric cow for dairy). Ours also has lots of plastic-free items like face wipes, period products, reusable kitchen roll and stocks plastic-free loo roll (although I get that delivered direct). Stick some clean jars and bottles in the boot of your car and go along and have a look! If it has a website you can check prices online to see how they compare. 
Sign In or Register to comment.
Latest MSE News and Guides

Did you know there's an MSE app?

It's free & available on iOS & Android

MSE App

Regifting: good idea or not?

Add your two cents to the discussion

MSE Forum

Energy Price Guarantee calculator

How much you'll likely pay from April

MSE Tools