Refillables - how one Northern Quarter shop is helping to tackle plastic waste

The UK throws away over 295 BILLION pieces of plastic waste per year. Much of this waste comes from plastic bottles, specifically from cleaning and beauty products -- but one Manchester shop owner is trying to change that.

The Earth Friendly Rocker - situated on the 3rd floor of the Northern Quarter’s iconic Affleck’s Palace - stocks a variety of low-waste products, including make up, candles and period products, and now they’ve added refillables to the list.

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Did you know that we’re the very first zero waste shop in @afflecks_manchester? We’re tucked away on the third floor and the shop has been described as a bit of a hidden gem for those that have found it! With a liquid refillery, vegan pick and mix, period bar and an apothecary amongst other things, come and see what the fuss is all about. Hope to see you soon 💜🤘🏻💚

A post shared by Earth Friendly Rocker (@earthfriendlyrocker) on Sep 15, 2020 at 11:52am PDT

So what are refillables? The shop is selling certain products, such as shampoo and conditioner, laundry detergent, and even multi-surface cleaner, on tap. The idea is to bring in your own container to fill up, paying for the product by the gram, in an attempt to reduce the amount of plastic-packaged products we buy.

Shop owner Lauren Hutchinson said: “The concept behind the shop is to bring together all the best earth friendly products under one roof so that all the hard work of researching ethics and materials is done for you.”

So proud of being able to help people reduce their waste at my #EarthFriendlyRocker shop in @Afflecksfox (3rd floor). You just bring your own bottle and fill it up. Easy peasy! Everything is vegan and manufactured in the UK. Plus it’s completely circular. Hurrah 🤘🏻 pic.twitter.com/T7Uc6UVsPi

— The Rock Fairy 🤘🏻🧚🏻‍♀️ (@TheRockFairyHQ) September 13, 2020

Lauren wanted to bring a whole host of low-waste products under one roof.

“When I first started trying to reduce the amount of waste I was creating it used to take me so long trying to shop around, not to mention the increased impact that has on your carbon footprint.”

In The Earth Friendly Rocker, Lauren has tried to create a ‘safe space’ for people who may not be so confident in buying environmentally friendly products.

You may be wondering the meaning behind the shop’s name. Well, Lauren said: “I also wanted to create a different experience that was more friendly for people in the rock and alternative community like me as I didn’t feel there was anything around that appealed to that side of me in the zero waste space.” 

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The apothecary in the shop is growing with organic flower waters, base oils, essential oils, butters, clays and now loose herbs! All powered by the amazing @star_child_glastonbury and of course, plastic free. The loose herbs are great for spells, making your own beauty products and herbal teas too. The only limit is your imagination! More and more will be arriving so if there’s a particular herb you’re after, please do get in touch 🖤

A post shared by Earth Friendly Rocker (@earthfriendlyrocker) on Aug 19, 2020 at 11:04am PDT

And you will certainly be welcomed by the rock ‘n’ roll tunes playing around the shop!

For more information on the products, visit Lauren on the 3rd floor of Affleck’s Palace, or head to the shop’s website (www.earthfriendlyrocker.co.uk) and on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok (@earthfriendlyrocker).