A Perthshire business set up to reduce plastic packaging and food waste will close this month, blaming rising costs.
Elizabeth Brodie established Replenish Auchterarder last February.
It offers customers dry goods like flour, sugar and pasta in exact amounts in reusable or recyclable packaging.
But Elizabeth said rising costs mean it is “just not feasible” to continue and is closing her business on March 31.
Perthshire firm’s mission to reduce plastic waste
Elizabeth, a mum of three, was inspired to set up Replenish after watching programmes such as the BBC’s War on Plastic.
She wanted to set up an alternative to plastic packaging for people in Auchterarder and established a network of Scottish suppliers.
But she said she found it hard to change people’s shopping habits. Now, rising costs mean she’s taken the sad decision to close.
“Instead of just going to one shop it takes a bit of planning and people are very busy,” she said.
“Giving the rising costs of almost everything, it’s just not feasible to continue.
“Petrol is just ridiculously expensive now which means I’d have to charge more for deliveries or it’s just not worth my while.
“Household bills are about to rocket and people are just wanting to be as economical as they can be.
“I think people assume I’d be more expensive than Tesco and Aldi but most of my goods are the same price or cheaper.”
‘I was trying to make a difference’
Elizabeth said it is disappointing to close the business, which she runs from her garage.
But she said creating and running the company has been a great experience.
“I’m really disappointed,” said Elizabeth, who also works as a pupil support assistant at Community School of Auchterarder.
“I didn’t enter this lightly. It took a lot of thought and research and I was trying to make a difference.
“It’s been a positive experience and I’m not unhopeful that I’ll make a comeback. I think now’s just not the right time.
“I’d like to thank my customers who have supported me in the last year.”
