Lossiemouth refill store taking part in new environmental campaign
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A LOSSIEMOUTH shop is taking part in a new environmental campaign aimed at reducing plastic consumption.
The Re:Store Moray, on the town's Queen Street, is set to take part in a campaign called Just One Bottle, urging people to refill plastic bottles after use.
The idea behind the nationwide initiative, launched on January 1, is to encourage people who want to help protect the environment to start small.
Bottles that used to contain shampoo or washing up liquid, for example, can be taken to the shop, where they will be refilled.
Alison Ruickbie, who has owned The Re:Store Moray since September 2019, said: "There's a lot more interest in refill shops after COP26.
"We are trying to keep up the momentum built. If everybody makes a small change it can have a big impact.
"Even just in Moray, if every family took an empty washing up liquid bottle and refilled it a few times, imagine how many fewer bottles would be in landfill."
Refill stores bulk buy (in Alison's case from local suppliers) and keep goods in environmentally friendly containers until they are sold.
The buyer takes and fills their own container. The container is weighed before and after it is filled. In Alison's own words, the shop sells almost everything you can find in your kitchen cupboards.
Those who have never used a refill shop before are being encouraged to try one out by this campaign.
"Once your container or bottle is empty, take it to the store refill it and see how you get on," Alison said. "There's always somebody to help and you might be surprised – it could be cheaper than the supermarket.
"Containers can be anything – Tupperware, takeaway containers or even a shirt sleeve all sown up.
"It's easy to do and there are people to help. You don't need to come for every shop, but even a small change in coming once a month – or once every six months – will help."
