We're still collecting donations
On the 3rd June 2020 we'd raised £8,060 with 132 supporters in 28 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
Zilch Zero Waste Retail Store - Tonbridge
by Emma-Louise in Tonbridge, England, United Kingdom
Total raised £8,310
raised so far139
supportersThe aim of this Crowdfunder is to support the launch of Zilch, a zero waste shop in Tonbridge which brings a plastic free way of shopping.
by Emma-Louise in Tonbridge, England, United Kingdom
New stretch target
If we raise more than we hoped for the extra money will go towards some fridges/freezers so we are able to stock plastic free chilled or frozen goods. We would also look to invest into a nut butter machine and a coffee grinder.
Every minute of every day, the equivalent of a dust truck full of plastic enters our seas and oceans! Plastic that we can live without. By the year 2050 it is predicted there will be more plastic by weight than fish in our oceans unless we do something about it.
We can make a change! Some endangered animal species have recovered from near-extinction because of the changes we have made. We feel if we can offer a better, more environmentally friendly way of shopping we can make a difference too.
As a family we find it difficult to shop plastic free locally. Thats why we decided to open Zilch - Zero Waste, Tonbridge's first zero waste shop. We have recently started to trade online selling plastic free goods, which where possible are locally made and ethically sourced.
In our retail unit we will be able to offer bulk dried foods and liquid refills as well as the plastic free products we already sell online. We will continually look to evolve by improving our variety of products.
Why is shopping at Zilch - Zero Waste better for the environment?
You bring your own containers therefore reducing plastic packaging.
Buy what you need - reducing food waste.
No products we stock will be wrapped in plastic.
The products we supply are from ethical like minded companies, where possible locally sourced.
All of what we stock is environmentally friendly, organic and mostly vegan.
What exactly are we planning to do?
We plan to open a shop where you can buy bulk foods free of any packaging or plastic, liquid refills and other household and personal care items all plastic free.
We plan to fit the shop out with repurposed materials where possible which will take some work to make suitable for what we need but we do feel passionately about sticking to our ethos in reducing waste. The store will install gravity dispensers and electronic scales to make shopping more user friendly.
Why support us?
We are bringing something to Tonbridge which will help us as a community rethink the way we shop.
We plan to host 'how to' workshops when we can.
We propose to run a membership scheme, which for a yearly fee will entitle you to a range of offers, including in-store discounts, freebies and advance booking for any workshops we host.
What will we use the money raised for?
(All these amounts are approximate.)
£500 - Shop fit - including shelving, counters, signage, storage, sink installation and new flooring.
£3500 - Scales, POS and software. These will make shopping smooth and easy for everyone to use.
£4000 - Gravity and scoop dispensers. These are to store the foods free of any contaminants. They are easy to use for self service.
£ - Opening stock. We will be transferring some non food related stock from our Zilch - Zero Waste website, but there will be some significant investment required to bulk purchase opening stock of food and liquids.
Why not a bank loan?
It is never advisable to start a business in debt, but by not having a loan to open the shop we are able to keep our prices competitive to supermarkets and invest more into the product selection.
How does zero waste shopping work?
Weigh, Fill, Scan & Pay.
Simply bring your clean empty containers to us,
Weigh (tare) it, the scales will print a sticker for your container. You can keep and reuse this. They are made with eco-friendly glue.
Fill your container with your desired produce. One product per container.
Scan the sticker (to remove the weight of your container) it will then print another sticker for you to take to the till.
Pay for your goods.
Who can shop here?
Everyone can shop this way. You may be a zero waste pro or a complete newbie to the waste free way of living, we can help. You don't have to spend lots. There is a misconception that zero waste shops are more expensive, this isn't always the case. Yes, we do sell mostly organic and/handmade produce, but it is possible to just take what you need and our prices are very competitive, we try to ensure this the best we can.
Forgotten your containers? Don't worry we will have something you can use.
Thank you for reading this far, your help and time doesn't go unnoticed.
Emma-Louise
Zilch - Zero Waste
We ask project owners to honour their rewards wherever possible but please note that all pledges are donations and there is no guarantee that you will receive any rewards from the project owner. Please see Crowdfunder's Terms of Use for more information regarding rewards for pledges.
Rewards
This project offered rewards
£30 or more
Membership
£30 pledge will get you a Zilch - Zero Waste membership for 1 year which will entitle you to monthly offers including in-store discounts, freebies and priority booking for any of the workshops we host.
£10 or more
10% Discount
£10 pledge would be gratefully received and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts knowing you've helped us get to where we need to be. You would also receive 10% off your first two shops in store.
£50 or more
Membership & Zero Waste Goody Bag
£50 pledge will get you a Zilch - Zero Waste membership for 1 year which will entitle you to a range of offers and a zero waste goody bag.
£100 or more
Launch Invitation, Goody Bag and Membership
£100 pledge will give you the satisfaction in knowing you've truly helped us do this. You will also get a Zilch - Zero Waste membership for 18 months which will entitle you to a range of offers, a zero waste goody bag and an invitation to our opening day.
£250 or more
Double membership, Goody Bag and Launch Invitation
£250 pledge will give you the satisfaction in knowing you've truly helped us do this. You will also get two Zilch - Zero Waste memberships for 18 months which will entitle you to a range of offers, a zero waste goody bag and an invitation to our opening day.
£500 or more
Business Reward
£500 Business pledge will get you a mention on all of our social media platforms as well as on our website. It also offers a Zilch Zero Waste membership for 18 months which will entitle you to a range of offers, a zero waste goody bag and an invitation to our opening day.
£1,000 or more
Super Business Reward
£1000 Business pledge will get you a mention on all of our social media platforms and our website for the next 6 months as well as two 18 month Zilch - Zero Waste memberships, a zero waste goody bag and an invitation to our opening day.
£20 or more
Zero Waste Goody Bag
£20 pledge would be gratefully received and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts knowing you've helped us get to where we need to be. You will also receive a small zero waste goody bag.