About
Hi, I’m Katie and, along with some lovely helpers, I run Tribe Zero-Waste.
I was motivated to start my personal zero-waste journey when I was working at local food co-op Cultivate. It was here I met the founders of SESI refill who opened my eyes to the amount of plastic-waste in the world.
They inspired me to help set up some SESI detergent refill dispensers at The Mix, a community space in Wantage, where I grew up. It soon became clear the local community wanted to shop for food refills too!
With help from Rina and Paul at SESI I set up a regular pop-up shop at The Mix and was soon asked to do pop-ups all over Oxfordshire.
Once the Covid-19 outbreak hit, we began offering a local delivery service, packaging all our our goods in compostable and recyclable paper packaging or reusable tubs.
After 4 years running Tribe zero-waste part-time I was lucky enough to be offered a retail space in Faringdon as part of the Meanwhile in Oxfordshire scheme.
We now have a permanent space to allow you to come and refill your own containers. Increasing the reach and impact of Tribe zero-waste and giving me the opportunity and absolute joy of running the business full-time.
I try to keep the running of Tribe zero-waste as low-impact as possible. Sourcing organic foods, circular supply chains and local producers where possible.
Buying in bulk means I can help reduce the amount of packaging per item all of which I recycle or re-use.
So much of our equipment and shop fittings have been sourced second-hand. From our self-service scales to our food tubs, dispensers and shelving. Even our shopping baskets were pre-loved!
For home deliveries I have sourced recyclable and compostable paper bags and I’m pleased to say we now have an electric van to do deliveries and market trips.
This journey is really a result of the support and passion of the local community. I’m so pleased there are more and more of us joining the Tribe and looking to make a positive change in our little bit of the world.
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