Blog

We've been asked a few times recently about packaging, and how everything arrives at the shop. We're really glad people are asking, it's just why we've opened the shop and we're working really hard to keep improving. Here's some more information about how we source our products and how the packaging works... Best option: Locally made, circular supply or no packaging Most of our tea comes from a company blending tea locally (Newton Abbot) so that we're able to use returnable containers. This is also true for our coffee (from Buckfastleigh), VBalls (made in Plymouth), and locally made soaps and cosmetics. For example if you buy body butter by Naturally Gorgeous Cosmetics from us you can return the jar for a deposit and it will be returned to Naturally Gorgeous Cosmetics to be reused! We're working with a local grower (Modbury) to supply rapeseed oil in circular supply in the coming weeks - we will send the large containers back to be refilled, eliminating single use bottles. Very good: Circular supply, not local We use three suppliers for cleaning products, shampoo and conditioner, all of which were carefully chosen as they offer fully circular supply - we receive products in plastic drums of between 20 and 200 litres, which are sent back when empty to be cleaned and refilled. These do travel to get to us (and back) but all are UK made - Greenscents Organics are the most local (based in Somerset), Sesi are based in Oxford and Fill in Northampton. Good: Big paper sacks Almost all of our cereal, flour rice, beans, lentils, grains and seeds come in 25kg paper sacks that we will reuse, compost or recycle. Pretty good: Big plastic sacks A few types of rice have come in large very strong plastic sacks, we (and other zero waste shops) have raised this with suppliers and will avoid ordering again if we can find a better option. Until recently we stocked only Italian pasta that comes in 5 to 10kg boxes, within the box there's a thin stretchy plastic bag (the type that can be recycled in carrier bag recycling). We've just had our first delivery of plastic free UK made pasta in large paper sacks! All nuts come in some plastic, either a heavy duty airtight bag or a box with a thin stretchy plastic layer, depending on the nut and how well it lasts when exposed to air. Nuts are too oily to be packaged in cardboard alone and have a shorter shelf life than dried foods, so these are the best options currently available. As we are buying in large quantities (typically 10 - 22kg) the amount of packaging is significantly less then the 100-220 individual crinkly plastic bags (that can't currently be recycled) that would be needed to buy the same amount from the supermarket. Chocolate also needs a bit more protection than dried foods. Our chocolate all comes boxed and with either a heavy duty plastic sack (that we're looking to reuse) or a thin layer of stretchy plastic that can be recycled. As we buy in bags of 5-10kg, the packaging is significantly less than if the chocolates were bought in 30g packets (160 to 320 individual non-recyclable packets). We've just received our first order of naked chocolate bars from Seed & Green that are packaged only in cardboard. Due to the oiliness/stickiness of dried fruit it comes packed in a cardboard box with a single recyclable stretchy plastic layer. We buy in quantities of 5-10kg, again significantly less than the 50-100 individual packets that could not currently be recycled. Some herbs and spices come in a paper bag but most come with a thin stretchy plastic bag within a paper bag. We buy in quantities of 1kg generally, which would be around 30-50 individual spice jars that tend to be very heavy on packaging with respect to the amount of food within. Even where these are glass, it adds a significant amount of weight for transport to the 15-30g of herb or spice per jar. Non food Our regular suppliers tend to use repurposed packaging and paper tape for deliveries to us. We have ordered some items from suppliers that have come with a disappointing amount of packing materials. We will find a place for these to be reused, and won't use the supplier again unless better options can be offered. Other packaging Some of our deliveries arrive on pallets, recyclable materials are used to protect the sacks from the elements. Our main supplier is actively looking at the best packaging options for their goods and hopefully reusable options will become available. Our aim is to find better alternatives then you can find in the supermarkets, and always pick the best option we can find while staying affordable. If we can't find an option better then those available elsewhere, we just won't sell that product. Since before we opened Jar we've been part of a group of zero waste shop owners who collaborate and share ideas about the most sustainable options for the products we sell. By supporting our shop you've already helped us to expand our range of products, and increase demand for this type of shopping from suppliers and manufacturers. More and more options are becoming available thanks to shoppers like you supporting these endeavours. Thanks!