In a world where throw-away culture is a part of our everyday lives, the mounting realisation that we can each play our part in reducing waste is rapidly becoming more mainstream. Consumers are demanding less plastic on their products and are happily shunning plastic bags for reusable tote bags. Whilst the high street shops are catching up with our demand, their action is often too slow. Here is where local businesses step in. There are so many businesses across Surrey dedicated to sustainable living and there is always room for more. Let’s hope that some of these businesses soon become a regular sight on every high street across Surrey.
Zero Waste Shops
I visited the wonderful Twin Larder in Ash back in October 2019 and met Karla who explained the need for zero-waste living and how we each can play our part in cutting down on waste. Head over to our October article to revisit how Karla became interested in eco-living and her journey to opening Twin Larder.
Zero Waste shops give us all the opportunity to rethink our dependence on plastic. We need the chance to relinquish our habits that slowly add to the pile of plastic waste that often finds its way to landfill and sometimes far-reaching shores.
Across Surrey, there are a growing number of Zero Waste shops and you may well find one in your area. At zero waste shops, you can refill with reusable containers. This includes washing up liquid, shampoo, conditioner as well as food items such as cereals, rice and pasta. This is by no means an exhaustible list. It does not mean you have to cut ties with your local supermarket, but it will urge you in the right direction towards making choices that will have far-reaching positive effects on our environment as well as pushing the next generation into positive shopping habits.
Bare + Fair
Woking is host to Bare + Fair, a zero-waste shop that was borne out of frustration with the ability to find products that were recyclable and eco-friendly. You can find them at Woking Market every Saturday from 9am-4pm.
Fetch’em from the Cupboard
Fetch’em from the Cupboard is appropriately named as you can find them in Fetcham as well as Ashtead. Their ethos is focused on plastic-free alternatives to everyday products. They source a lot of their goods locally and you will find everything from dried goods to frozen foods as well as locally made beauty products.
PUREMESS
PUREMESS artisan skincare is created and made by Gemma Cockrell. She is a survivor of breast cancer and a scientist. Her products are stocked across multiple shops across Surrey, including the three mentioned Zero Waste shops above. Check out her vegetarian and vegan-friendly products that contain no chemical or added additives.
Jedz
The Farnham company, Jedz, make stylish and reusable bottles that promise to keep your water cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. We are all moving away from throwaway bottles, so why not turn to a local business for your next bottle for life? You can see their stock in person at Fetch’em from the Cupboard.
Artisinal Vegan
If you have a sweet tooth then look to Artisinal Vegan, a Cobham based company that produces vegan sweets, chocolate and cookie mix jars. Their delightfully packaged products will prove too enticing to save, causing you to keep returning for more.
Visit crazy-bean.com/market/artisinal-vegan
All of these shops and businesses lead us towards the possibility of living a sustainable lifestyle but without giving up the things we love. On top of this, each time you shop in these places you are supporting multiple Surrey businesses who stock their goods here as well as the shops themselves.
So, head out there, start small and see what you can achieve with little changes. They will soon add up and you may well become a super sustainable shopper!
