New town shop shows the ‘weigh’ towards zero waste
A new shop in the centre of Campbeltown is helping to achieve the aims of the town’s community action plan by offering waste-free food, writes Hannah O’Hanlon.
Kintyre Weigh, the area’s first zero-waste shop, is now open on Main Street, offering a range of loose foods and household liquids, but without single-use packaging.
“You can bring your own empty container,” explained Peter, one of the Kintyre Weigh team, “or use our donated ones.
“We weigh your empty tub or sack or bottle, and subtract that, so you only pay for your purchase, whether it’s oats, flour, Scottish rapeseed oil, chocolate raisins, or laundry liquid.
“And if you only want a teaspoon of nutmeg for a recipe, that’s all you need to buy.”
Fellow team member Sharyn explained what inspired them to open the zero-waste shop.
“We were motivated by some urgent issues,” she said. “No one wants to pay for rubbish, and if you think about it, that’s what you’re doing with single-use packaging.
“Then it costs for the council to collect it, it costs to recycle it, and we know that often doesn’t happen anyway as it washes up on our beautiful seashores, so it will cost our small daughter’s generation to sort out later.
“And since plastic is made from oil, obtaining it in the first place has environmental costs. It makes much more sense just to avoid it in the first place. We can change how we do things – we have to.”
Kintyre Weigh is a social enterprise and, currently, all the shop’s staff are volunteers.
“If we can build up a regular customer base, we’ll be able to create a wage to share between those of us who work here, and then the shop will be sustainable, and can expand its range too,” said volunteer Lucie.
“Though we already stock over 100 things, plus a range of eco products and gifts, like toothpaste in glass jars, and greetings cards you can plant!”
There has been an enthusiastic response from locals, both people for whom the idea is new, and those who remember a time before goods were pre-packaged as they have been in recent decades.
“It’s a fantastic idea, brilliant for the town – I’m chuffed that someone’s finally done it!” said customer Ian.
Eric Spence, manager at South Kintyre Development Trust, is delighted to see Kintyre Weigh open its doors. “I understand it was the Campbeltown Community Action Plan that inspired the opening of the shop,” he said.
“Improving access to affordable and waste-free food fits well with the plan’s theme of resilience, and potentially its employment and training theme too.
“We wish the Kintyre Weigh team every success in this new venture.”
One corner of the shop also provides seats, reading material, and community noticeboards, and anyone is welcome just for a sit-down.
“You don’t have to buy anything!” said volunteer Millie. “Just drop in for a chat. We’ve also got a big noticeboard to promote local projects working for environmental protection, social justice, etc so please bring us your posters.”
Kintyre Weigh’s stock range and opening hours can be found at www.kintyreweigh.co.uk and the shop also has a Facebook page and email list which people can join for updates.