Sharehouse Evolution: Zero Waste Shop

Posted by Rachel Trafford 16 Sep 2019

The key to The Real Junk Food Project’s success has always been the ability to build quietly and to always start as if it’s day one. We can never rest on our laurels and are determined to keep innovating and progressing. We want to continue to be at the forefront of what our customers want from us as an organisation, and zero waste produce has become a large part of that.

The Sharehouse was born out of an idea to allow as many people as possible access to all the surplus food which TRJFP intercepted on a daily basis, back in August 2016. 3 years later, we have learned so much from our experiences. We feel empowered to create a space where everyone can have access to as much food as they NEED!

So we are launching : Sharehouse 2.0

Not only will it still feature our PAYF (Pay As You Feel) shop, where you’ll be able to access produce (yes, including lots of bread), we are creating Wakefield’s first…

ZERO WASTE SHOP

What is a zero waste shop?

We all know the use of single use plastics is bad for our environment and the planet as a whole. We are producing 300 million tons of plastic every year, about 50% of which is for single use purpose. Packaging accounts for just over 40% of plastic bag use. Annually, about 500 billion plastic bags are produced world wide. And an average plastic bag has a working life of just 15 minutes. (https://plasticoceans.org/the-facts/)

Zero-waste shops aren’t just concerned with single use plastic. They’re also said to pay extraordinary attention to how the food they stock is produced and where it comes from.

The key benefits are:

● No plastic: The food is displayed in bulk, and you guys bring your own containers; plastic Tupperware, wax wraps, paper bags, glass and metal. Every time you use your own container, you are cutting down the plastic and food waste you are responsible for.

● Zero waste: All food that is set to expire will then go to the Sharehouse PAYF section. You can weigh out the exact portions you require and therefore encouraging people to buy only what they need.

● All products bought in bulk: We can display all our products at the Sharehouse, giving you an up-close-and-personal look of all produce. You can actually see what you’re buying, without all the packaging!

● Be aware of products’ origins: Having a zero-waste shop means dealing with suppliers who have the same priorities as you and buying local. Working with our partners at SUMA Wholefoods, we will be purchasing much needed groceries and other household items, allowing you, the public, to purchase these items at a heavily reduced price. This also lowers the impact on the environment, supports local business and stocks low-carbon items.

So how will it work?

  • A list of items and their prices will be displayed in the Sharehouse
  • Come along with your own containers; jars, plastic tubs, anything you like
  • Order your items (in 250g minimum orders)
  • We will weigh out your items into your chosen container
  • We will total up your bill and you pay accordingly
  • You can now even pay via IZettle with contactless
  • All items are organic and/or ethical (Plant based)

The Real Junk Food Project has always been about availability to all, empowerment to our communities and feeding human beings.

We still intend to support people with surplus produce, mountains, and mountains of bread, and also fruit & vegetables, but we also want to ensure that people have access to nutritional food at a low cost and that is why we are introducing the zero waste element to TRJFP.

Now, customers & supporters of TRJFP will be able to do a full weeks shopping through zero-waste and topping up with PAYF produce, providing families and individuals with low-cost, nutritious food, as well as other household items that have a positive impact on the planet, such as cleaning products and toiletries.


Support our work: every purchase from the zero waste store will feed our circular economy model and support our further work as TRJFP.

Coming soon