When Katie Herring was introduced to the founders of SESI refill, her eyes were opened to just how much plastic-waste there is the in world but if consumers change the way they shop, using refillable containers, everyone can help do their bit to reduce plastic waste and contamination.
At the time Katie was living in Wantage and she was inspired to help set up some SESI detergent refill dispensers in Wantage’s community space The Mix. It soon became clear that the local community wanted to shop for food refills too. With further help from Rina and Paul at SESI, she went on to set up regular pop-up shops at The Mix with just a table and 20 products, which then led to her being asked to do pop-ups all over Oxfordshire. When Covid hit, this led to Katie and her small team offering a local delivery service, packing all their goods in compostable and recyclable paper packing or re-usable tubs.
Four years later, having learned a lot about sustainable shopping, Katie was able to realise her dream of opening a bricks-and-mortar store thanks to help from Oxford City Council and Makespace’s Meanwhile in Oxfordshire scheme which has provided affordable premises to more than 100 organisations, securing at least 300 jobs across the county.
Opening up Tribe Zero-waste in Faringdon at 19b Marketplace SN7 7HP in June 2022 gave Katie the opportunity to increase the reach and impact of Tribe Zero-waste.
“I have been absolutely blown away by how popular our refills have been. For a lot of people this is a brand new way of shopping, but so many people in Oxfordshire want to get on board to help fight plastic waste and protect the environment and it’s brilliant. A lot of people are also surprised at what great value it can offer. I try to keep the running of Tribe Zero-waste as low-impact as possible. Sourcing organic foods, using circular supply chains and items from local producers wherever possible. Buying in bulk means I can help reduce the amount of packaging per item, all of which I recycle or re-use. I also managed to source much of our equipment and shop fittings second-hand, including our self-service scales to our food tubs, dispensers and shelving. Even our shopping baskets were pre-loved!”
“Opening your fist ever shop is always a scary experience, but when you factor in that it’s a new type of shop, and I was doing all this at a time when household bills are rocketing, it just goes to show how important this principle is to people – and I am so grateful for all of their support. Our local community in Faringdon has really got on board with this way of shopping and making the effort to support their local, indie retailer. You hear so many horror stories of struggling retailers in the news and it certainly isn’t easy being a small business owner, but our wonderful customers have ensured I can approach the future with optimism and help more people reduce more plastic waste. I really cannot thank them enough.”
If you have yet to explore Tribe Zero-waste, you will find a wide selection of items from organic food refills, refillable detergents and plastic-free, earth friendly cleaning product s, homewares and self-care items. Bring your own containers to refill or use an available selection of paper bags, jars and bottles instore. The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am until 4pm.
For customers who do not live in Faringdon, don’t despair as Katie also offers an online order and delivery system. To find out more visit tribezerowaste.co.uk/shop.
In recognition of what she has achieved with Tribe Zero-waste, Katie has been nominated for the Faringdon Community Business Award for providing a fabulous service, enabling people in Faringdon to reduce waste together with her ongoing commitment to the reduction of the use of plastic.
To find out more about Tribe Zero-Waste take a look at the website tribezerowaste.co.uk
