BUDE's very own ReFILL shop will open their doors to the public this Saturday.

This Saturday, April 13, mayor Bob Willingham will be cutting the plastic waste ribbon and officially opening Bude’s very own ReFILL Shop on Belle Vue Lane — and everyone is invited.

Everything, from package-free personal care and cleaning products, to a delicious array of kitchen cupboard staples, will be available to buy when the store opens at 11am.

At a time when supermarkets have been oft accused of ‘green-washing’, a group of volunteers has tackled the issue of plastic waste head-on with an initiative to buy your shopping locally — without single-use packaging. Realising that often, reduced packaging meant buying ‘premium’ products which made it unaffordable for many, they opened a shop that met those needs themselves.

As a local project, the shop operates as a Social Enterprise, keeping costs as low as possible, and giving 100% of its profits back to local community groups. Funds for getting the shop off the ground were raised by an incredibly successful crowdfunding campaign, as well as events hosted by local businesses: music at The Barrel; a quiz hosted by Sazerac Social, not one but TWO silent discos — supported by St Petroc’s school and Rosie’s Cafe, a vegan banquet courtesy of Temple, a coffee and cake take over at ButterBun, and a car wash, in collaboration with JC49 and Sam Edwards Garage.

The main aim is to allow people to shop locally in a way that helps them reduce single use plastics but it also enables them to buy only what they need. For older people, those on limited incomes, people living alone, or indeed the area’s many self-catering visitors here for a short time, this is a major benefit as often supermarket shopping promotes buying in larger quantities for ‘better value’.

The range of ‘fill-your-own’ options will expand with customer demand, but the shop is proud to open with competitively priced essentials and family favourites, such as pasta and rice, herbs and spices, cereals and grains, nuts, seeds and dried fruit, pulses, oils and vinegar, toiletries, all types of household cleaning products and even treats like chocolate mini eggs!

One of the volunteers behind the initiative, Jackie Diffey, said: “We want to say a very big thank you to everyone who has helped realise ReFILL Shop Bude — without you, this would not have been possible. Whether donating time, much needed funds or by helping spread the word, we look forward to seeing all the people who have been a crucial part of this amazing venture, on Saturday.’’