Zero waste store Merseyside helping the homeless

Aim

Raising funds to assist with the opening of Merseyside's 1st zero waste plastic free shop we're not for profit & will employ homeless people

Single use plastic is a massive issue. We can't hide away from it, there are new stories of the negative effects popping up every day. 

• In the North Pacific Ocean, there are 6x more plastic debris than plankton. They are causing deaths to marine animals who mistake them for food
• Some of the components used to make plastic like phthalates and bisphenol A are harmful to our health
• A plastic drinking bottle may last you 10 minutes but this will stay on the earth for 450 years if not recycled!

It's time we took things in to our own hands and done something about it.

What is Waste Not Want Not?

A zero waste, plastic free, vegan, palm oil free grocery store, we will be the only zero waste shop within 40 miles of the Wirral, customers can bring their own containers, purchase one of ours or take products home in paper bags. We will provide:

• dried food such as pasta/rice/lentils/nuts/muesli/fruit
• skincare/beauty
• cleaning products 

as well as other items that aren't available in the supermarkets such as:

• single use straws (biodegrades in 4 months)
• bamboo toothbrushes
• bamboo/metal reusable straws
• Metal safety free razors
• bamboo/metal coffee cups
• metal/glass water bottles
• reusable face wipes
• wooden cotton buds

These other items will also be available to buy online through our website for our customers that aren't so local.

Filtered water - The water we drink is contaminated with plastic. Whether you are drinking bottled or tap it will have micro plastics in. We will provide our customers with FREE water that is filtered, taking the micro plastics out , it will also clear the water of chlorine/metals and other toxic substances. Customers can bring their own bottle's to fill up or purchase one of our reusable glass bottles. 

Helping the homeless

Waste Not Want Not will provide employment opportunities to homeless/recently housed people. The idea is to get them back into work and help them access the relevant training/workshops to work towards securing  their desired job. They can get involved in the running of the business such as marketing, accounts, health and safety, gaining a lot of experience. I will work with the local homeless charity's to find the right people. Once they are back on their feet and moved on to their desired job I will look at employing the next people. 

Waste Not Want Not will give local people easy access to plastic free products. There is only so much recycling we can do. The only way to tackle the issue is to stop using plastic. 

What I need your help with 

I already have the premises secured (pic at the bottom) and enough stock to get the shop open but a bit more funds are needed to give customers exactly what they want. (the top of the list is the water filter)

• £3800 - This will enable me to buy the water filter, economy scales, till system, 10 gravity dispensers, 10 scoop dispensers and 10 glass jars for spices and loose tea
• £5500- water filter, economy scales, till system, 20 gravity dispensers, 20 scoop dispensers and 20 glass jars for spices and loose tea, some more stock
• 9,900 - water filter, self serve scales, till system,  40 gravity dispensers, 20 scoops dispensers, 20 glass jars and wider range of stock 

These are the gravity dispensers I will use: 

The shop will be located in the country produce section of Birkenhead Market, it's the perfect location as it has a lot of footfall. Close to the bus station/train station and parking. 

"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief someone else will save it"

This project successfully funded on 4th June 2018