‘No plastic Friday’ at the Eco shop
A community interest company in Pitlochry opened an eco-themed shop that cuts out plastic packaging on last week.
In the culmination of two years of planning and fundraising, the Handam Refill Station and Eco Hub Pitlochry welcomed the first customers to new premises at 2 Burnside Road.
The shop, which is full of jars and fresh, loose produce, is phase one of a two-part project for the Highland Perthshire town.
Work is ongoing to create an eco hub there as well so that upcycling workshops and classes can be run to help educate about sustainability sand zero waste. There had been a pop-up version of the shop in a Pitlochry cafe but that had to close with the pandemic restrictions.
Kaja Ekiert, founder of Handam Refill Station CIC, already has a ‘zero waste’ store in Aberfeldy.
Kaja began a crowdfunding campaign in December which successfully raised £6000 to kickstart the bigger, more ambitious Pitlochry refill shop and eco hub.
The former resort receptionist was able to secure £10,000 from the National Lottery Fund as well.
The money was needed for up-front investment to cover the premises rent, to furnish the interior and purchase all the equipment from shelves and flooring to weighing scales and many glass jars, all needed to get it started.
Local volunteers helped fit out the shop, making it a real community effort.
Kaja said she received “loads of help” from Growbiz Perthshire, the Business Gateway and social enterprise Scotland.
On Friday, February 26 the Pitlochry shop went live, and will be open 10am-5pm, Monday to Saturday, with manager Anna Stokes in charge.
“We will allow three people in the shop at the moment and will adjust the numbers over time,” said Kaja.
“I’m delighted to have my long dreamed-of project, which I planned together with the local Climate Cafe, open and trading at last. It will be home to more than just plastic-free food sales, with upcycling workshops, eco presentations and many more uses for the community.
“Our mission is to reduce waste on a local level to help our planet on a global level, contributing to this change via a platform of learning and development.
“We are grateful to have such an amazing community around us and we hope to welcome all of you in our Eco Hub soon.”
Customers can bring their own containers to fill up with dry foods like pasta, rice, cereals, herbs, spices, beans, lentils, pulses, grains, sweets, nuts, seeds, plus several types of cleaning products.
The products stocked by Handam Pitlochry and Aberfeldy are also available through Neighbourfood Pitlochry www. neighbourfood.co.uk/pitlochry
more info at https:// www.facebook.com/ Handamrefillstation