Zero-waste mobile shop set to launch in Dorset
‘Our Planet Zero Waste’ to help local communities buy local and shop plastic-free –
14th November 2019 – Wimborne-based start-up, ‘Our Planet Zero Waste’, is set to launch on 23rd November, amid growing demand in Dorset for waste- and plastic-free shopping.
The Dorset-based company is a mobile zero waste shop which will help the people of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch to do their bit to protect the planet by buying what they need in a more environmentally friendly way.
Our Planet Zero Waste is the brainchild of local entrepreneur Laurraine Veal who is passionate about preserving the environment and reducing unnecessary waste and plastic use.
The company aims to source its products as ethically and as locally as possible, and to provide a convenient service for people who are environmentally conscious and motivated to buy plastic-free products. They also hope to encourage customers to relearn their storage solutions so that we can all contribute to a greener, more sustainable environment.
Together with her partner Mark Burchell, Laurraine has purchased and fitted out ‘Olive’ – an eco-van which will soon be travelling around Dorset selling affordable plastic- and packaging-free products such as dried foods, household products and personal care products. Olive has been fitted out with reclaimed pallets and second-hand items which would otherwise have ended up in landfill.
As well as the waste- and plastic-free shopping facility, Laurraine will also offer a re-fill service. Customers can bring their own containers, tubs or bags for refilling to prevent the need to purchase single-use containers for products ranging from shampoos, soaps, cereals, rice and pasta.
Olive will be stopping at locations including Christchurch Market, Hamworthy, Sturminster Marshall, Ferndown, Broadstone and Corfe Mullen, and Laurraine is also planning to take her to farmers markets, festivals and local events throughout 2020.
Customers in those communities will be able to buy directly from the van, or they can place orders online at www.ourplanetzerowaste.co.uk/click-collect and later collect from the business’ HQ in Corfe Mullen.
Laurraine said: “We want to be able to help more people shop the zero-waste way. Over the last ten years we have produced more plastic than during the whole of the last century! We know that so many people are frustrated by the lack of zero waste shops in their local communities, and this is despite the zero-waste movement gathering force in other parts of the country and around the world.
Laurraine continued: “While I’ve always recycled, I was becoming more and more aware that recycling was not the complete answer. Like so many other people in Dorset, I want to reduce waste and buy products that aren’t wrapped in a lot of unnecessary single-use and plastic packaging, and resuse what we already have. But, when buying from supermarkets, the options are so limited. I knew this was the right time to offer local shoppers an eco-friendly alternative.”
The company is welcoming pledges of investment from local businesses and individuals who support the ethos of the company in exchange for a variety of rewards and prizes including discount vouchers and branding opportunities.
A launch party is being organised for November 23rd and anyone interested in attending to learn more about the Our Planet Zero Waste service and to take a look at the ‘Olive’ eco-van are welcome to attend. For more details visit https://www.facebook.com/ourplanetzerowaste.
ABOUT ‘OUR PLANET ZERO WASTE’
About Laurraine Veal – Founder of Our Planet Zero Waste
From an early age, Laurraine lived in the New Forest and enjoyed growing up with her family using the services of the local milkman, baker and butchers. She even remembers taking Corna glass bottles to the back off the pub for 5p.
Buying from small, local producers is something that Laurraine feels very lucky to have experienced. But she is sad that this is not what today’s generation of young people have ever experienced.
As a mum to teenage daughter, Lilly, Laurraine has decided to do her bit to re-establish that sense of local community and with the aim of giving something back to help make all of our children’s futures a better place. Like a lot of teenagers, Lilly is very aware and saddened by what is happening to her planet and her future as a result of excessive waste and plastic use.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does ‘Zero Waste’ mean?
To live zero waste is to stop or drastically reduce the amount of products that get sent to landfill and recycling.
- Refuse to be a part of the problem. Confidently refuse over-packaged products and single use plastics.
- Reduce what you don’t need, simplify your life, donate unused items. Then reduce your carbon footprint in other areas too.
- Reuse bags, jars, bottles, clothes; give everything a new lease of life.
- Repair, mend, darn. Think before you throw items away, can this be fixed.
- Rehome, can I give this to someone who might want it, give to charity shops, school, there is always someone who loves your junk.
- Recycle what can’t be refused, reduced or reused.
- Rot your organic materials, composting is nature’s natural process of recycling.