I think your first visit to a refill shop could be a little daunting (what do I do?! Is my container okay?! How do I know how much it is?!) but at Keep in Farnham, they were so helpful and relaxed that you can quickly see how this welcoming way of life fits in to the laid-back vibe that our less waste journey is taking us on.
I have found that one of the biggest pains about a less plastic life is having to be organised and having to source your products in advance. It was so refreshing to be able to go in to an actual shop and see a range of eco-products readily available for purchase. This small, well-packed store is an Aladdin’s cave for eco warriors. Bamboo everything, jars of pulses, natural bristle scrubbers – anything you’d expect and everything you need!
I had come for the refills and was delighted to see Bio D and Sesi products on sale for household and hygiene needs. Some of these were equipped with handy pumps, but some required the lovely Sarah to assist with dispensing. This allowed us to start talking about how their small stall, which had previously been moving on a weekly basis to various Farnham locations, but which has turned in to the more permanent fixture above the vegan café, Okomoko. The businesses suit one another, each bringing curious customers to the other: at least I certainly stopped for a beetroot latte afterwards!
Sarah explained how her family had always had a make-do-and-mend attitude and that this lifestyle wasn’t a new one for her. She has a vision that each town in the UK will eventually have one of these shops. An easy, convenient store for individuals to pick up a little of what they need.
What I learnt from this visit was a shift to mindset from stock-piling containers of soap for when you ran out, to popping in to a store and refilling your hand soap because it had run out that morning. This all fits in to the simple life, but given that this was the closest refill shop to me and that I had driven to Farnham for this, I was bulk buying because my hectic life doesn’t allow me to fit this in very often!
Whilst there I purchased handwash, sanitiser, washing up liquid, laundry liquid and toothpaste tabs. Post-using the products I can confirm they are all great quality and value. The only negative I can think of is that (as with most eco options) shopping like this offers less options. But, why do you need the choice of 16 different handwashes (Tesco!) when the lime & aloe vera option works for everyone just fine?
The store had run out of coffee, due to the need to get used to the demand, particularly as they become more and more popular. They did mention though, that as the amount they are buying increases, the prices will decrease for us. How very honest.
To prepare for your refill shopping, start saving your containers as they run out. When you washing up liquid is finished, keep the bottle. Although Keep does have a big pen ready to mark up what is in your bottles I found it easier to fill each container with what was previously in them. I currently have a squash bottle at home filled with laundry liquid and although it’s marked and hidden away I am still scared my boyfriend will drink it! The shop stores some donated containers that they will give you for impulse purchases, passing customers and when you want to buy more than you thought.
I think Keep has it right: handmade signage, donated containers, an app for providing electronic receipts. A lot of thought has gone in to not having unnecessary waste or needless purchases. I left feeling really good about the products I had bought, and the plastic I had saved. Although I won’t make the journey over here each time I need a new soap, I am glad to support the plastic-free community, to reuse my containers and educate myself on the options out there.
The shop was busy continually whilst I was there, showing that this definitely works in quaint Farnham. Would it work in a larger town like Bracknell? I really hope we get the chance to find out soon.
PURCHASES |
Handwash | Bio D Sanitising Lime & Aloe Vera | 0.5L | £2.85
All purpose sanitiser | Bio D | 5l | 0.5L | £1.50
Washing Up Liquid | Bio D | 1.35L | £2.70
Laundry Liquid | Sesi | 0.75L | £1.88
Toothpaste tabs w/ Fluoride | Dentabs | 60 tabs | £2.85
