An Angus couple who were inspired by David Attenborough’s Blue Planet television series have opened the county’s first zero-waste shop.
Nothing purchased from Sea No Waste should go to landfill or contain plastics which can harm creatures living in oceans.
Based in Arbroath’s Keptie Street, the shop has 150 bins of herbs, spices, rice, pulses, nuts and a variety of flour.
It also stocks other environmentally minded products, such as stick deodorants in paper tubes, bamboo toothbrushes and shampoo bars.
Owner Sammy Reid said: “Blue Planet was pivotal of making everyone aware of the problem of plastics in the ocean.
“My husband Ian and I decided we should actually do something about it.
“The shop is like going back to the old days – people just buy what they need.
“We’ve also got fresh fruit and vegetables, a gluten free area and also a nut butter machine which makes peanut butter.”
Mum-of-two Sammy said the reaction to the new business had been “amazing” and that they’d built up a strong following on social media.
The former nurse said she is also happy to give advice to people about “Earth-friendly” replacements for everyday items.
“Any food we can’t sell, we are going to mulch it down and giving it away as free compost,” she added.
“We are very passionate about being zero-waste.”
“We’re also very pleased with the premises we have, near to Arbroath train station.
“The West Port in Arbroath is a really up-and-coming area with a lot of boutique shops popping up.”
rmclaren@thecourier.co.uk
