Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – and refill!

We are all aware of the amount of packaging (most of it plastic) that is produced each year to make our shopping easier and more convenient as well as making certain brands more attractive and keeping some items fresh for longer. These are all advantageous to some degree but at what cost? Despite our best efforts to recycle plastic packaging it appears that there is so much of it that inevitably some ends up in our landfill and oceans. One way of reducing the amount of packaging coming into our homes is to get into the habit of refilling. This could mean taking your own containers to a refill shop to be filled with dried goods such as rice, pasta or cereals or perhaps buying a bottle of washing up liquid or shampoo and taking it back to the shop to be refilled as needed.

 We are very fortunate to have several excellent local businesses offering the option of refills. Below is an overview of what is available. Why not give it a try?

Cobbs at Englefield – Wickcroft Farm, Theale, RG7 5EA

Tel: 0118 930 4064

Website: cobbsfarmshops.co.uk

 ·       Dried goods, such as rice, cereals, nuts, seeds and grains

·       Paper bags supplied to take your dry produce home

·       Some cleaning and laundry products in cardboard packaging

·       Fruit and vegetables sold loose i.e. no packaging

Garlands Organic – 6 Reading Road, Pangbourne, RG8 7LY

Tel: 0118 984 4770

Website: garlandsorganic.co.uk

 ·       “Faith in Nature” products, e.g. shower gel, shampoo, soap (take a bottle to be refilled)

·       “Ecover” products, e.g. washing up liquid, laundry liquids (take a bottle to be refilled)

·       Organic fruit and vegetables sold loose (i.e. no packaging)

 The Loose Larder – 15 Reading Road, Pangbourne, RG8 7LR

Tel: 07966 516015

Website: thelooselarder.co.uk

 ·       Dried goods such as pasta, rice, grains, cereals and nuts

·       Herbs and spices – you can buy a teaspoonful if you need some for a recipe but don’t want to buy a whole jar!

·       Loose teas and coffee ground while you wait

·       Range of refillable household cleaning liquids including laundry products

·       Bring your own containers or they can supply paper bags to take you dry produce home in

·       Shop on-line with free delivery (terms and conditions apply)

Thatcham Refillables – mobile shop comes to Purley on the second Thursday of each month 10am to 12 noon at Altered State, 32 White Lodge Close, Purley on Thames, RG31 6YT (just off Long Lane)

Tel: 07876 350137 (Jenny) or 07519 049247 (Tom)

Website: thatchamrefillable.co.uk

·       Products are safe for the planet and are sustainable and ethical

·       Cleaning and household products e.g. laundry liquids and powders, multi surface cleaners

·       Kitchen products e.g. washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets

·       Bathroom e.g. toilet cleaner, bathroom cleaner

·       Liquid and bar soaps

·       Hair care e.g. shampoo and conditioner

·       Body wash

·       Multi use cleaning products e.g. spirit vinegar, bicarbonate of soda

·       Dried food items in bulk e.g. crisps, cereals, nuts, rice, pasta

·       Delivery service – please check website

 Items can be bought in a container to be refilled in the future, or you can bring your own – do check website to make sure your container is suitable.

 For more information about PSG, and sustainability, please visit www.purleysustainability.co.uk.

If you have ideas and tips to be sustainable, please share them on info@purleysustainability.co.uk or if you wish to volunteer, please do get in touch.

Thank you