“The concept is simple. Bring your own containers, fill them and pay by weight. When they are empty, bring them back and refill them. By re-using, we will help you to reduce waste. Our aim is to do this at as low a cost as possible – to both our customers and to the planet.” Another Weigh, Penrith

Zero Waste shops are beginning to emerge, mainly in urban locations, as a response to climate change, the rapid growth in plastic packaging and a desire by consumers to reduce the consumption of resources.How it works
Shoppers at Zero Waste shops usually follow the process below:
1. Bring their own container to the shop. Weigh the container and print a label.
2. Fill the container with as much or as little as they want.
3. Scan their label and reweigh the filled container
4. Pay
Paper bags are also usually available in-store made from 100% recycled paper and fully compostable.
Zero Waste stores usually charge an annual membership fee in exchange for a discount on all food purchases (e.g. £30 annual membership in exchange for 10% discount, £15 for pensioners and free for those on benefits).

The Haltwhistle Partnership is considering setting up a zero waste shop in Haltwhistle. It would sell loose goods with shoppers bringing their own containers to carry the products home. You could buy as much or as little of an item as you want. The shop would also be an information point for anything to do with recycling, reusing and reducing waste. The shop would be run by a paid manager with help from volunteers. Any surplus profit would be used by the Partnership for projects in and around Haltwhistle.

As part of our research into this idea we are asking people to complete a short survey which can be found by clicking on the link below.

https://forms.gle/6CGzPBAc6UX3CNMcA

Paper copies of the survey are available from the Partnership Office.

Thank you for your help.